Disc brakes and drum brakes are the most commonly used and popular types of brakes used in vehicles. Today, 2 main types of disc brakes are in use floating caliper and fixed caliper brakes.
In the case of the floating caliper disc brakes, the caliper piston can be seen on just one side of caliper assembly. The inner pad gets pressed against the rotor when you apply the brakes. With the increase in force, the inner pad gets pushed against the rotor, and it makes the caliper to slide on the slide pins. These types of disc brakes are more commonly used nowadays.
You can choose the right type of brakes or any other parts for your car from tire rack. The other type of disc brakes, the fixed caliper systems have several pistons and same number of pistons on both side of the caliper. When you apply the brakes, the force is equally applied on both the sides of the rotor’s surface. It is this clamping force that helps in stopping your car.
Drum brakes were invented in the beginning of the 20th century by Louis Renault. In this case, friction is generated by the rotating drum fixed to the wheel. The brake shoes are squeezed when the rod moves. You slow or stop the drum to control the wheel’s speed relative to disc brakes, these brakes are less efficient and require more frequent replacement. This is the reason, disc brakes are increasingly replacing them in new vehicles.
