English

dets. . 10, 2024 19:35 Back to list

Steps to Upgrade Your Vehicle from Brake Drums to Disc Brakes Efficiently

How to Convert Brake Drum to Disc Brakes


Upgrading a vehicle's braking system from drum brakes to disc brakes can significantly enhance performance, safety, and reliability. Disc brakes offer better stopping power, improved heat dissipation, and reduced maintenance compared to drum brakes. If you're considering this upgrade, here's a comprehensive guide on how to convert brake drums to disc brakes.


Understanding the Basics


Before diving into the conversion process, it's essential to understand the differences between drum and disc brakes. Drum brakes work by using friction to slow the vehicle through a set of shoes that press against the inside of a rotating drum. In contrast, disc brakes use calipers to squeeze brake pads against a disc or rotor, providing more effective braking performance.


Tools and Materials Needed


The conversion process requires several tools and materials - New disc brake assemblies (rotors, calipers, and pads) - Brake lines or hoses - Brake fluid - Wrenches and sockets - Jack and jack stands - Brake cleaner - Torque wrench - Miscellaneous bolts and hardware


Steps to Convert Brake Drum to Disc Brakes


1. Safety First


Before starting any brake work, ensure your car is on a level surface. Use a jack to lift the vehicle and secure it with jack stands. Always wear safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself during the process.


2. Remove the Wheel and Brake Components


Begin by removing the wheel on the axle where you are converting the brakes. Use your wrenches to take off the brake drum. Once the drum is removed, you'll see the brake shoes and springs. Carefully disassemble these components and set them aside.


3. Remove the Old Axle Hub (if necessary)


Depending on your vehicle's design, you may need to remove the axle hub. This will vary by make and model. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions or consult a service manual to ensure proper removal procedures.


how to convert brake drum to disc brakes

Steps to Upgrade Your Vehicle from Brake Drums to Disc Brakes Efficiently

4. Install the New Disc Brake Assembly


Next, you will need to mount the new disc brake assembly. Position the new rotor onto the hub and secure it with the appropriate bolts. After the rotor is in place, position the caliper over the rotor, ensuring that it aligns correctly. Attach the caliper using the provided hardware, and make sure to torque the bolts to the specified setting.


5. Connect the Brake Lines


Install the new brake lines or hoses that are compatible with the disc brake system. Ensure that the connections are secure and leak-free. If you're upgrading to a system that requires a different brake master cylinder, you might need to replace that as well. Consult with an automotive professional if unsure about the compatibility.


6. Install Brake Pads


Once the caliper is in place, install the new brake pads into the caliper. Make sure they are seated correctly against the rotor to ensure proper braking function.


7. Bleed the Brakes


After installation, it’s essential to bleed the brake system to remove any air trapped in the lines. This process typically requires a helper. One person should pump the brake pedal while the other opens and closes the bleed valve on the caliper. Repeat the process until the fluid comes out clear and without bubbles.


8. Reinstall the Wheel and Test Drive


Once you have completed the installation, reattach the wheels and lower the vehicle. Perform a thorough inspection to ensure everything is secure. Before hitting the road, test the brakes at a low speed to ensure they are functioning correctly.


Conclusion


Converting from drum to disc brakes can improve your vehicle's overall braking performance and safety. While the process requires some mechanical skill, it's a rewarding upgrade for any car enthusiast. Always refer to specific vehicle guidelines and consult with professionals if you're unsure about any steps. With the right tools and knowledge, you'll enjoy better braking efficiency and responsiveness on the road.




Share

Next：

Latest news

If you are interested in our products, you can choose to leave your information here, and we will be in touch with you shortly.


Hit enter to search or ESC to close
etEstonian
en_USEnglish afAfrikaans sqAlbanian amAmharic arArabic hyArmenian azAzerbaijani euBasque belBelarusian bn_BDBengali bs_BABosnian bg_BGBulgarian caCatalan cebCebuano coCorsican hrCroatian cs_CZCzech da_DKDanish nl_NLDutch eoEsperanto fiFinnish fr_FRFrench fyFrisian gl_ESGalician ka_GEGeorgian de_DEGerman elGreek guGujarati htHaitian Creole haHausa hawHawaiian he_ILHebrew hi_INHindi hmnMiao hu_HUHungarian is_ISIcelandic igIgbo id_IDIndonesian gaIrish it_ITItalian jaJapanese jvJavanese knKannada kkKazakh kmKhmer rwRwandese ko_KRKorean ckbKurdish kyKyrgyz loLao laLatin lvLatvian lt_LTLithuanian lbLuxembourgish mk_MKMacedonian mgMalgashi ms_MYMalay ml_INMalayalam mtMaltese miMaori mrMarathi mnMongolian my_MMMyanmar ne_NPNepali nb_NONorwegian nyNorwegian orOccitan psPashto fa_IRPersian pl_PLPolish pt_PTPortuguese pa_INPunjabi ro_RORomanian ru_RURussian smSamoan gdScottish Gaelic sr_RSSerbian stSesotho snShona sdSindhi si_LKSinhala sk_SKSlovak sl_SISlovenian soSomali es_ESSpanish suSundanese swSwahili sv_SESwedish tlTagalog tgTajik ta_INTamil tt_RUTatar teTelugu thThai tr_TRTurkish tkTurkmen ukUkrainian urUrdu ug_CNUighur uz_UZUzbek viVietnamese cyWelsh xhBantu yiYiddish yoYoruba zuZulu etEstonian