2008 rear drums

[Steeltoes]

Why does Ford still use drum brakes on the rear? It's like using 56k dialup when you can have broadband that's available.

Edited October 18, 2007 by Steeltoes

[KC BOB]

Why drum brakes on the rear?, one word IMO--Beancounters, the same folks who brought us cruise control switches that catch fire and have brought the company to the abyss.

[sullynd]

The pre 2005 Escapes had only rear drums as well. The switch to rear discs had hardly any impact on stopping distance.

[UltimateX]

I would prefer disc brakes, but to be quite honest, about 70% of the braking comes from the front wheels, so the rear drums are not as critical as you might think.

[P71_CrownVic]

The pre 2005 Escapes had only rear drums as well. The switch to rear discs had hardly any impact on stopping distance.

 

EBD makes a huge difference. My mom's '01 will splatter your eyes on the windshield.

 

But, it is 2007...drums have no place in todays automotive world.

[suv_guy_19]

EBD makes a huge difference. My mom's '01 will splatter your eyes on the windshield.

 

But, it is 2007...drums have no place in todays automotive world.

 

 

Discs have their drawbacks. I wish they weren't on the back of the F150.

[sullynd]

With the amount of brake dust I get on my front wheels I'm glad I have drums out back. With Ford's discs they should offer only black wheels.

[Steeltoes]

I had that problem with brake dusk on my 97 F150 until I changed to a ceramic pad and ventilated discs

[aneekr]

The pre 2005 Escapes had only rear drums as well. The switch to rear discs had hardly any impact on stopping distance.

Good point. However, whatever changes Ford has applied to the 2008 model has resulted in major diminution of braking performance compared to the original 2001 Escape.

Car and Driver's tests show a 33 ft. increase (70 mi./h - 0) in the 2008 compared to the 2001 model. Consumer Reports also noted subpar braking performance in its test of the '08 Escape.

Edited November 13, 2007 by aneekr

[atomaro]

Good point. However, whatever changes Ford has applied to the 2008 model has resulted in major diminution of braking performance compared to the original 2001 Escape.

Car and Driver's tests show a 33 ft. increase (70 mi./h - 0) in the 2008 compared to the 2001 model. Consumer Reports also noted subpar braking performance in its test of the '08 Escape.

 

 

Thats is a very biased article to start with, I question the results and take them with a grain of salt. No mention of:

- Vehicle weight differences

- Tires

- AWD vs 4WD systems

Just to name the obvious. All these things have an effect on braking distance.

 

After rereading that article, the author is more interested in trying to look cool than put out an informative piece.

Edited November 13, 2007 by atomaro

[Walt]

I would prefer disc brakes, but to be quite honest, about 70% of the braking comes from the front wheels, so the rear drums are not as critical as you might think.

 

The hybrids still have rear discs. Possibly because the fronts aren't used much due to the regen, which leaves the rears to do most of the "real" braking (as needed). Because of this, on a hybrid, the rear pads wear faster, and need replacing more often, than the fronts.