Where drum brakes persist in Nissan’s lineup
- Lower manufacturing and replacement costs for rear brake hardware and shoes
- Simpler, more compact rear axle packaging that helps keep vehicle price low
- Easier integration of the parking brake with drum shoes
- Adequate rear braking performance when paired with modern ABS and electronic brake control systems
- Market-specific considerations where cost pressures or supply chains favor drum components
The engineering and economic rationale
- Cost savings on parts, tooling, and supplier contracts
- Simplified rear‑axle design and packaging for small or budget platforms
- Direct parking brake integration with drum components
- Adequate braking function for ordinary driving conditions when paired with ABS
- Strategic alignment with regional market demands and supply chains
Trade-offs and what it means for drivers
- Drums typically dissipate heat less efficiently, which can lead to fade after repeated hard braking
- Disc brakes generally deliver more consistent stopping performance in wet or dusty conditions
- Rear drums may require more routine inspection of the drum and shoes in dusty or wet environments
- Performance‑oriented buyers may prefer trims with rear discs for enhanced feel and response
- Safety systems like ABS, EBD, and ESC help mitigate differences, but drivetrain configuration influences braking behavior
Regional variations and market strategy
Summary
Do any pros still use rim brakes?
The last WorldTour teams using rim brakes in bunch events were Ineos Grenadiers and UAE Team Emirates, with Tadej Pogačar switching between rims and discs at the Tour de France in 2021. “For me, it's all about the weight,” Pogačar said in autumn that year. "I'm happy to use both disc brakes and rim brakes.
Why do new cars still use drum brakes?
Cost, Packaging, and Weight Advantages
Drum brakes can be less expensive to manufacture and install, and those savings matter when a vehicle platform will be built by the hundreds of thousands. A drum assembly also packages neatly inside the wheel hub.
Why don't big trucks use hydraulic brakes?
Situation. However some of its main attractions. And benefits also involve a significant portion of its weak. Points overheating is a recurrent issue in this type of braking.
Why do mechanics hate drum brakes?
The biggest issue is heat dissipation. Since drum brakes are enclosed, they retain more heat during braking, which can lead to brake fade when used repeatedly over short periods. This is why high-performance vehicles and most modern front-wheel braking systems use disc brakes instead.