If you’ve ever owned a car with drum brakes, you know that they’re some of the most effective brakes out there. In fact, drum brakes were once the standard for automobiles, and are still used on some trucks and buses today. Drum brakes work by using the pistons in the brake drums to apply pressure to the brake shoes against the wheel.
What are Drum Brakes?
Drum brakes are a safety feature on some buses and cars. When you hit the brake pedal, the drum brakes force the bus or car to stop.
How to Flush Drum Brakes
If your drum brakes are not working properly, you may need to flush them. This is a quick and easy procedure that will help to restore braking power. Follow these steps to flush your drum brakes:
1. Park the vehicle in a safe spot.
2. Remove the wheel and tire.
3. Remove the brake caliper (1).
4. Disconnect the hose from the brake fluid reservoir (2).
5. Connect the hose to the brake fluid reservoir (3).
6. Turn on the water supply and wait until it reaches full pressure before opening the valve on top of the brake fluid reservoir (4).
7. slowly open the valve on top of the brake fluid reservoir until all of the fluid has been discharged into the street (5).
8. Close the valve on top of the brake fluid reservoir and replace the caliper (6).
9. Replace the wheel and tire, and reattach the brake caliper.
When to Flush Drum Brakes
If your drum brakes are not working, the first thing to do is check the fluid level. If the fluid is low, it is time to flush the system. Here is how to do it:
1. Shut off the engine and remove the drum brake assembly.
2. Remove the cap and unscrew the top of the reservoir.
3. Remove the old fluid and replace with new, making sure to fully flood the system.
4. Screw on the cap and reattach the reservoir.
5. Reinstall the drum brake assembly and test for proper operation.