Disc brake question

[dpuckett]

Why are some people so giddy about getting rear disc brakes? It would seem to me that the larger surface area of a drum brake would stop better, be better for heat dissipation, and last longer. Am I wrong? Have I missed something in the few disc brake trucks I've driven? They dont impress me one way or another- I'm not so thrilled with one over the other that I'd convert a truck to rear discs if it had drums, or vise versa. I just dont see the point of going through all the work, when the truck was designed for what it has.

Daniel

[pulltilbroke]

I don't think there worth the trouble either. I'm very happy with the big drums on the 80 in my truck and brake service is very easy with the outboard drums on the 80.

[cougar]

Disc brakes work better at high speeds and drum brakes work better at low speeds. If they work properly it is the best of both worlds. The reason some people are converting their rear brakes is they don't work like they are supposed to, like mine. It is hard to keep them properly adjusted so the fronts wind up doing all the work and the drums are along for the ride. On both my trucks the drums have been the source of shimmy, not while braking but just cruising along. I now check and adjust mine every 1000 miles.