Do subarus have rear drum brakes?
Yes, many Subaru models do have rear drum brakes. Drum brakes are a common brake system design used on the rear wheels of many vehicles, including Subarus. While disc brakes are more commonly found on the front wheels, drum brakes can still be found on the rear axle of some Subaru models.
Subaru Brake System Overview
Subaru vehicles typically use a combination of disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear wheels. Disc brakes provide better braking performance and are more resistant to brake fade, making them the preferred choice for the front wheels where the majority of braking force is applied. Drum brakes, on the other hand, are simpler and less expensive to manufacture, making them a common choice for the rear wheels where braking demands are lower.
The use of rear drum brakes on Subarus is not unique to the brand, as many other automakers also utilize this brake system configuration. Drum brakes can provide adequate braking performance for the rear wheels, while also being more cost-effective for the manufacturer to produce and install.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Rear Drum Brakes
Drum brakes have several advantages and disadvantages compared to disc brakes:
- Advantages:
- Simpler and less expensive to manufacture
- Can provide adequate braking performance for the rear wheels
- Less susceptible to brake fade under heavy use
- Disadvantages:
- Generally less effective than disc brakes, especially in wet or muddy conditions
- More prone to brake dust buildup, which can lead to reduced braking performance over time
- Harder to inspect and maintain compared to disc brakes
Despite these drawbacks, rear drum brakes remain a common choice for many automakers, including Subaru, as they provide a cost-effective solution for the rear braking system.
Subaru Models with Rear Drum Brakes
While Subaru has been transitioning towards more disc brake-equipped models in recent years, many of their vehicles still feature rear drum brakes, including:
- Subaru Impreza
- Subaru Crosstrek
- Subaru Outback (earlier model years)
- Subaru Ascent
It's important to note that Subaru's brake system configurations can vary by model year and specific trim level, so it's always best to check the specifications for your particular Subaru vehicle.
What was the last car with drum brakes?
Now practically all cars use disc brakes on the front wheels, and many use disc brakes on all four wheels. In the United States, the Jeep CJ-5 (manufactured by AM General) was the final automobile (produced for the United States Postal Service) to use front drum brakes when it was phased out in 1986.
How do I know if I have rear drum brakes?
How to tell whether your brakes are drum or disc. To double-check, look through one of the holes in the top of your front wheel. If you see a shiny smooth metal surface, that is your disc rotor. However, if you see a rusty and not smooth round surface, that's your brake drum.
When did they stop using rear drum brakes?
> Until perhaps 10 years ago, drum brakes were standard as the rear brakes of almost every car. You need to go back more than that. In the 80s nearly every car had rear drum brakes, that phased out in the early 90s or so. Only the very cheapest cars had drums past that timeframe.
Why don t cars use drum brakes anymore?
The effectiveness of a disc brake is due to friction management. The front pads ensure that the heat generated from the friction is dissipated effectively. Heat dissipation on the rear drum brakes is not very effective.. Front discs and pads can work well regardless of the weather condition.
What is a big disadvantage of the drum brake?
Drum brake disadvantages
Brake shoes can overheat to the point where they become glazed. Excessive brake drum heating can cause the brake fluid to vapourise.
Do any new cars have drum brakes?
Despite the introduction of disc brakes, which offer superior performance in many aspects, drum brakes continue to be used in the rear of many modern cars. This might seem surprising, but this choice has several practical reasons.
Do subarus have drum brakes?
Though most Subaru models come with front and rear disc brakes, some older models had rear drum brakes. If you're driving a Subaru with rear drum brakes, you'll need to get your brake shoes replaced regularly, as well.
Why do Subaru rear brakes wear faster?
Another reason the rear brakes may wear faster is because the AWD system has the ability to apply brakes on ANY wheel at ANY time while the vehicle is in motion. If you drive in slippery conditions, the AWD system WILL apply brakes to any wheel which slips. This is how the Subaru AWD system works.
How to tell drum or disc brakes?
The primary difference between disc brakes and drum brakes is relatively straightforward. Disc brakes create friction with a disc-shaped rotor and a pair of brake pads, whereas drum brakes use a circular drum and brake shoes.
What was the last car to use drum brakes?
In the United States, the Jeep CJ-5 (manufactured by AM General) was the final automobile (produced for the United States Postal Service) to use front drum brakes when it was phased out in 1986.
