Are drum brakes too old?

I am thinking of buying the new Ford Focus but I do not agree with Fords policy of selling the new model with rear drum brakes.

The entire C segment is now equipped with rear disk brakes, but Ford insists in selling Focus without them, on the allegation that the tests carried out prove that rear drum brakes are more efficient with this chassis.

Is this a simple way of cutting costs at the expense of safety? What is your opinion about rear drum brakes?

Asked on 27 April 2011 by FordFocusMk3

Answered by Honest John

Rear brakes are only responsible for about 5% of braking. Their effect is more to balance the braking of the car than to actually stop it. And drums allow much more effective parking brakes than discs.

Tags: brake discs new cars brakes small cars

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