How much difference do rear discs make?

[nvrstuk]

Wow, not a Bronco that responded to this thread really wheels Hard Core all FOUR Seasons??

No way would I return to drums in the rear, neither would any of the guys that have successfully upgraded to discs from drums.

Yes, I know how to adjust them properly, repair them and yes I know all the pros and cons as I did hundreds of brake jobs at a Chevy dealership back when that's all we had on the back end of American made cars..

Here is why

WATER

Ever had to cross a river, a stream or top of your tire deep puddle? Try hitting your brakes afterward!! You've just lost 20-40% of your braking. Those that wheel and drop down in a hole and fill those drums then need to brake...oh-boy, lookout

Ice/snow

Same but worse- while playing in deep snow or slushy stuff, your drums pack full and you have the same issue...don't park right away as your slushy snow crap will FREEZE in the drums and prevent you from moving---period if it's cold enough. You either pull the drums or put a big heater on them to thaw the ice! Used to be quite common in the winter here where I live.

Sand and grit-
It eventually tumbles out but it grinds around in there for a while till it all falls out

Don't ever set your drum style parking brake in the winter...they freeze easily!!

I'm always surprised when the drum/disc comparison comes up and and the number of guys that never wheel in cold adverse comditions!

 

[Broncobowsher]

Never said rear disks are bad. Just that they don't contribute much to the overall braking. Given the choice I will take them. But I won't expect much of a change in normal braking performance.

 

[sykanr0ng]

Many drum brake emergency brakes only actuate one shoe to stop forward motion, they don't really work to keep the car or truck from rolling backwards.

Since the Explorer rear disk parking brakes have two shoes they probably actuate both of the shoes, that would make them work in both directions.

 

[DirtDonk]

My Buick Regal has the single full-circle shoe parking brake and it stops in either direction very well. I wonder if there is a variation in how the different drums are actuated?
I can actually lock up (but just barely) the rears by applying the parking brake while still rolling.

Paul

 

[chuck]

The caddie, ford and gm calipers that we use on the EB are all floating calipers so both pads apply braking pressure to both sides of the rotor.
PS I understand why drum brakes do not stop as will going backwards and I understand why the band ebrake works the same in both directions and I understand why the disc do not work as well as drums do for E-brakes but I don't see why the rear disc brakes wouldn't work equally well in either direction. Anyone?

 

[michael084]

The caddie, ford and gm calipers that we use on the EB are all floating calipers so both pads apply braking pressure to both sides of the rotor.
PS I understand why drum brakes do not stop as will going backwards and I understand why the band ebrake works the same in both directions and I understand why the disc do not work as well as drums do for E-brakes but I don't see why the rear disc brakes wouldn't work equally well in either direction. Anyone?

You got me there. That doesn't make sense to me either. Thanks for all the replies. Going to rebuild my drums all new. In Florida I'm not worried about ice, and I don't really go in mud or water anymore. I've had it nineteen years, hard to believe. I used to take it in mud all the time and got tired of water in the Dana 44 and plus it's worth so much now that I am easy on it. I wouldn't mind something like a little samurai to beat on but not the Bronco any more.

 

[nvrstuk]

I guess my post is a little harsh, but if you wheel where and how we do that extra braking can and does often make a huge difference! Only takes once... ;(

Several wheeling buddies have gone this route.

http://www.partsmike.com/index.php/categories/brakes

Good luck on your build.