Did you know that the industrial brakes market is worth $1,816.70 million and is climbing in value?
One of the most dangerous things you can do is neglect to maintain your drum brakes. If you don’t check on them regularly, then it’s only a matter of time before they fail. The last thing you’d want is to break and find out that they aren’t working as they should.
Are you wondering what to look out for? Keep reading to learn how to spot wear and tear on brake drums.
Spotting and Measuring Wear
When it comes to brake drum wear and tear, you can start the inspection by removing the dust cover. This will give you much more visibility of the brake drum. Next, look at the wear edge and if it has almost been reached.
It’s even possible for the wear edge to be so worn that it can’t be seen clearly. In either scenario, the next step would be to withdraw the hub assembly. This can give you access to the inside diameter to measure the wear at the deepest point.
Check the Clearance
Another way to determine if you should replace brake drums is by checking the distance between the drum and the brake lining. Too much distance is a red flag.
While excessive clearance is a sign of wear, there’s a possibility that the issue stems from a misaligned slack adjustor. This is why it’s important to have a professional assess the situation and give you a certified diagnosis.
No matter the reason for the extra distance, you should repair it before operating the vehicle because the issue can end up resulting in total brake failure.
Harsh Treatment From the Brake Linings
In some cases, it’s possible to have minimal wear on your brake linings but excessive wear on your brake drums to the point when brake drum repair is necessary.
Are you wondering how this is possible? While it may seem like an impossible contradiction at first, this disparity is often due to the harsh treatment of the brake drum from the brake linings.
The best solution to this issue is a brake drum replacement and an upgrade of the brake linings to a manufacturer of higher quality.
Are You Ready to Upgrade Your Brake Drums?
From brakes and cranes to clutches and industrial friction material, you can count on our experts to service your parts or replace them with even better ones. We have significant experience with a wide range of industries.
Feel free to contact us with questions.