Haven't seen or tried.

[NachtRitter]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

So it's the brake's fault your buddy doesn't know the limitations of his equipment and how to respond rationally?

The facts remain about the pros I listed AND that drum fade resistance can be markedly improved- if that's how hard you are on the brakes.

I put a dab of grease or anti-seize compound where the drum seats on the hub; I haven't had to wrestle with any rusted-on drums that I did that to.

I want drums on the front of my Tempo, but not bad enough to do all that custom machining. Early Rabbits had drums all around.

Not knowing our limitations when we are young and invincible shouldn't be a surprise... Thinking back, I'm amazed I'm still alive given some of the things that I did, especially when I was on my motorcycle. I'm sure there aren't many folks (old or young) that would approve of what my buddies and I were doing at the time (heck, I don't!)

I didn't see any pros listed that would make it worth switching from discs to drums... discs stop well and safely (and arguably, faster), discs can be modified with return springs to minimize drag (if they aren't already set up that way), and brake dust can be minimized with the use of different pads (which, depending on design, can be significantly easier to replace than shoes, especially if the drums are stuck on the dang hub), and discs are already less likely to fade (if that's how hard I am on the brakes).

The pro you didn't mention is that drums can be much more easily used without power assist which could be useful for extended EOC, but that's something I don't do.

Apparently the drum brakes on big rigs *aren't* good enough... NHTSA institutes braking rules for large trucks, aims to cut stopping distances by 30% - Autoblog. These regs are driving the adoption of disc brakes on big rigs...

[Frank Lee]

I didn't see the word "disk" mentioned once in that link.

Nothing I own with disks has return springs. I don't know if return springs are available for them.

I'm not going to buy different sets of pads because of that filthy dust. I don't have to for the shoes.

[NachtRitter]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I didn't see the word "disk" mentioned once in that link.

Nothing I own with disks has return springs. I don't know if return springs are available for them.

I'm not going to buy different sets of pads because of that filthy dust. I don't have to for the shoes.

You're right, the link doesn't say anything about disc brakes; it just talks about the reg that rigs have to stop in less distance. But you're a smart fella and can prolly figger out how they'll meet the regs... let me know if you need my help.

If the OP's goal is to reduce the drag of the pads on the discs, then a return spring mod (if the original discs did not come with them) would be significantly easier than his proposed mod of switching from discs to drums. Plus he'd get to keep all the goodness of discs. If he's bothered by the brake dust (didn't say he was), the fix for that is still easier than doing a disc to drum switch. Still not seeing anything that would make such a switch worth it...

[Frank Lee]

I know- for the amount of work, it isn't. However if the conversion was a bolt-on I'd be all over it. If I was entering my vehicle in a fuel economy competition with prize money I'd do it.

http://fleetowner.com/regulations/truck-stops-here-0201

Drums CAN still do the job for the proposed regs but on trucks- the severest sevice- at some point the owner may opt for disks.

I've never said disks weren't the best choice for severe service. I like the disk on the snowmobile. My street cars don't ever see severe service. And GAWD the disk system on the Goldwing is such crap I'd like to bolt old drum braked wheels onto it, if the cost wasn't prohibitive. But I've figured out how to live with it: disassemble the calipers every couple of years and clear the corrosion outta the seal grooves.

[NachtRitter]

Yes, enhanced (wider, heavier) drums CAN help the rigs meet the regs, but it sounds like discs are better in every way except initial cost ... and that sounds like it can easily be recovered in reduced maintenance (according to here: Weighing in on disc brakes | Equipment content from Fleet Owner). One of the key points in this article that surprised me is that the wheels of the rig have to be removed to do brake inspection if the axle is equipped with drums, whereas they don't have to be removed if the axle is equipped with discs. Not sure how often that has to be done, but Wow! There might be a slight weight penalty for the discs too, though that depends on how they are made apparently.

I agree that there are probably some crappy disc brake systems... the piston (pistons? can't remember if it was single pot or not) of one caliper on my Honda Magna's front discs (had a rear drum) also froze up... remember going for a ride and hitting the brakes and having them stick on one side... again, being a young punk & not knowing any better, I rode it home that way. The disc was near red hot when I got home. Fortunately, the disc was easy to replace and the caliper was easy to rebuild.

[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I want drums on the front of my Tempo, but not bad enough to do all that custom machining. Early Rabbits had drums all around.

I had an early Rabbit (called Golf) and drove it into the back of someone who cut me up and then slammed his brakes because the railroad crossing lights came on. I actually started braking before he did and he was still moving away from me at that moment. Still hit him braking the max out of the little drums.

It was new versus old car, ABS/none, good/mediocre tires etc. so there is no way to fault just the brakes for that, but I don't think they helped.

Excessive brake dust is just an indication that you might need to put on pad return springs.

And please nobody make jokes anymore about oil or fat on brakes.
Someone might cause a fatal accident taking that serious.

[Frank Lee]

Excessive brake dust is just an indication that you might need to put on pad return springs.

The dust is because there is no drum in the way to prevent it from going all over the rims.