Brake Drums

Keep Your Braking System Safe with Genuine Brake Drums

The team here at Empire Nissan of Hillside understands how crucial parts like brake drums are important to your safety on the road. Brake drums work alongside other components to bring your vehicle to a complete stop when needed. We stock genuine Nissan brake drums that fit your Versa and Murano perfectly every time. Aftermarket alternatives may cost less initially but often compromise the stopping power you depend on daily.

How Brake Drums Function in Your Vehicle

Brake drums are round metal components that rotate with your wheels. When you press the brake pedal, brake shoes inside the drum expand outward and create friction against the drum's inner surface. This friction converts your vehicle's motion into heat, slowing the wheels down. The drum design distributes heat across a large surface area to prevent overheating. Rear wheels typically use drum brakes on many vehicles, while front wheels use disc systems.

What Causes Brake Drums to Fail

Brake drums wear down gradually from the constant friction generated during braking. Heat cycles cause the metal to expand and contract repeatedly, eventually leading to cracks or warping. Water and road salt corrode the drum surface, creating grooves that reduce braking effectiveness. Cheap aftermarket drums often use softer metals that wear faster and dissipate heat poorly. Overloading your vehicle or frequent hard braking accelerates drum deterioration significantly.

Signs Your Brake Drums Need Attention

Listen for scraping or grinding sounds from the rear wheels when braking. Vibrations through the brake pedal indicate warped drums that need replacement. Your vehicle might pull to one side during braking if one drum has failed. Reduced braking power means the drums have worn beyond safe limits. Most brake drums require inspection every 12,000 miles and replacement around 150,000 miles, though driving habits affect this timeline. Replacing worn drums along with brake pads ensures complete stopping power.

Get out of the breakdown lane and back in the fast lane with genuine OEM parts from Empire Nissan of Hillside.