Best Car Brake Drums of 2025

Robert Reyes Avatar
Robert Reyes
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2025

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Car brake drums are an essential component of a vehicle's braking system. They are typically made of cast iron and are designed to work with the brake shoes to slow down or stop the car. Brake drums are typically found on the rear wheels of a car and are responsible for converting the kinetic energy of the car into thermal energy through friction. This process helps to slow down the car and prevent accidents. Brake drums should be inspected regularly and replaced when necessary to ensure the safety of the driver and passengers.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Bendix Premium Drum and Rotor PDR0753 Rear Brake Drum Cover #TOP 1
Bendix Premium Drum and Rotor PDR0753 Rear Brake Drum
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Raybestos Professional Grade Brake Drum Cover #TOP 2
Raybestos Professional Grade Brake Drum
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ACDelco Professional 18B232 Rear Brake Drum Cover #TOP 3
ACDelco Professional 18B232 Rear Brake Drum
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Car Brake Drums

#TOP 1

Bendix Premium Drum and Rotor PDR0753 Rear Brake Drum

PDR0753
Metallic
Bendix Premium Drum and Rotor PDR0753 Rear Brake Drum Cover
Bendix Premium PDR0753 Rear Brake Drum for Toyota Celica 2005-2000, Corolla 2008-2003, Prius 2008-2004

The Bendix PDR0753 Rear Brake Drum is a high-quality car brake drum designed to OE standards. Its G11H18/G3000 heat flowed castings ensure high tensile strength and casting integrity, providing durability and reliability for your vehicle's braking system. The drum is balanced to ensure smooth operation and consistent shoe to drum contact, resulting in optimal braking performance. With its machine-finished surface, the Bendix PDR0753 Rear Brake Drum not only looks clean but also allows for easy installation. Whether you are a DIY enthusiast or a professional mechanic, this brake drum is a convenient choice that guarantees a hassle-free installation process. Upgrade your vehicle's braking system with the Bendix PDR0753 Rear Brake Drum for a safer and more reliable driving experience.

What We Like
High tensile strength
Smooth operation
Easy installation
#TOP 2

Raybestos Professional Grade Brake Drum

2324R
Silver
One Size
Raybestos Professional Grade Brake Drum Cover
Raybestos 2324R Professional Grade Brake Drum, Silver

The Raybestos Professional Grade Brake Drum is a premium quality brake drum that offers dependable braking performance. Made with G3000-qualified material, it meets OE specifications, ensuring ultimate strength and precision balance. It is rigorously tested to meet SAE standards for tensile strength, providing structural integrity and a maximum service life. Compatible with several Ford models, including the F-150, it offers form, fit, and function for the best operation.

What We Like
Premium quality brake drum
Meets OE specifications
Precision balanced for smooth and quiet braking
Rigorously tested to meet SAE standards for tensile strength
Compatible with several Ford models, including the F-150
#TOP 3

ACDelco Professional 18B232 Rear Brake Drum

18B232
ACDelco Professional 18B232 Rear Brake Drum Cover
ACDelco Professional 18B232 Rear Brake Drum

The ACDelco Professional 18B232 Rear Brake Drum is a high-quality and reliable car brake drum that is inspected for balance to reduce noise and ensure smooth operation. It follows the original manufacturers' designs for dispersing heat, which helps to prolong the life of pads and rotors while reducing noise and vibration. Additionally, it has a rust-preventative coating that provides corrosion protection for superior durability. It has undergone independent testing, including D3EA, NVH, and durability/wear testing, resulting in a product that is of top-notch quality.

What We Like
Inspected for balance to reduce noise and ensure smooth operation
Follows original manufacturers' designs to help prolong life of pads and rotors while reducing noise and vibration
Rust-preventative coating provides superior durability and corrosion protection
#TOP 4

ACDelco Professional Rear Brake Drum 18B141

18B141
Silver
ACDelco Professional Rear Brake Drum 18B141 Cover
ACDelco Professional 18B141 Rear Brake Drum

The ACDelco Brake Drum is designed to enhance your vehicle's braking performance. It undergoes thorough inspections to ensure balanced operation, leading to smoother braking and reduced noise. The drum has been independently tested for durability and comfort, ensuring you receive a reliable product. Its design aligns with original manufacturers’ specifications, which helps distribute heat effectively, prolonging the life of brake pads and rotors while minimizing vibrations. Additionally, a rust-preventative coating is applied to offer superior protection against corrosion, ensuring long-lasting durability for your vehicle.

What We Like
Smooth brake operation
Reduced noise and vibration
Corrosion protection
Durable design
#TOP 5

Raybestos R-Line Replacement Rear Brake Drum

9734R
Silver
One Size
Raybestos R-Line Replacement Rear Brake Drum Cover
Raybestos R-Line Replacement Rear Brake Drum - For Select Year Toyota Celica, Corolla and Prius Models (9734R)

The Raybestos R-Line Replacement Rear Brake Drum is designed for select year Toyota Celica, Corolla and Prius models, but not Toyota Yaris 2007. It is a high-quality brake drum produced by Raybestos Brake Parts Inc. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the seller.

What We Like
High-quality brake drum
Suitable for select year Toyota Celica, Corolla and Prius models
Contact seller for any questions
#TOP 6

Raybestos R-Line Replacement Rear Brake Drum

9328R
Silver
One Size
Raybestos R-Line Replacement Rear Brake Drum Cover
Raybestos R-Line Replacement Rear Brake Drum - For Select Year Toyota 4Runner, Pickup, T100, Tacoma and Tundra Models (9328R)

The Raybestos R-Line Replacement Rear Brake Drum is a premium grade brake drum that is developed from OE samples for select year Toyota 4Runner, Pickup, T100, Tacoma, and Tundra models. It is made with G3000-qualified material and precision balanced, assuring smooth and quiet braking. The brake drum also meets the SAE standard for tensile strength, providing structural integrity and maximum service life for dependable braking performance.

What We Like
Premium grade and OE specifications assure form, fit and function for the best operation and ultimate strength.
Precision balanced for smooth and quiet braking.
Meets the SAE standard for tensile strength, providing structural integrity and maximum service life.
#TOP 7

Raybestos R-Line Replacement Rear Brake Drum

9769R
Silver
Raybestos R-Line Replacement Rear Brake Drum Cover
Raybestos R-Line Replacement Rear Brake Drum - For Select Year Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon and Isuzu Models (9769R)

The Raybestos R-Line Replacement Rear Brake Drum is a premium grade product that is developed from OE samples and made with G3000-qualified material. It is precisely balanced and rigorously tested to ensure smooth and quiet braking, maximum service life and structural integrity. This brake drum is suitable for Chevrolet Colorado 2004-2012, GMC Canyon 2004-2012, Isuzu i-280 2006, i-290 2007-2008, i-350 2006, i-370 2007-2008.

What We Like
Premium grade brake drum
Precisely balanced for smooth and quiet braking
Rigorously tested to ensure maximum service life and structural integrity
#TOP 8

Centric C-Tek Rear Brake Drum for Toyota Corolla

Centric Parts
123.44050
Centric C-Tek Rear Brake Drum for Toyota Corolla Cover
Centric 123.44050 C-Tek Automotive Rear Brake Drum for Toyotal Corolla 2009-2019 Model Year

The Centric Brake Drum is designed specifically for 2009-2019 Toyota Corolla models. With precision balancing, it ensures a smooth, vibration-free performance, giving you confidence in your braking system. The rust prevention oil coating enhances its longevity, so you can trust it to last. Additionally, its low initial lateral run-out and thickness variation contribute to a consistent and reliable stopping experience from the very first use. This drum also features an optimal surface finish, ensuring that you have the stopping power you need when you need it most.

What We Like
Vibration-free performance
Long-lasting durability
Consistent stopping power
Optimal surface finish
#TOP 9

ACDelco Professional Rear Brake Drum 18B227

18B227
ACDelco Professional Rear Brake Drum 18B227 Cover
ACDelco Professional 18B227 Rear Brake Drum

The ACDelco Brake Drum 18B227 is designed to enhance your vehicle's braking performance. It undergoes thorough inspections for balance, ensuring a smooth operation and reducing noise when you brake. The drum is also independently tested for noise, vibration, and durability, which means you can trust its reliability. Additionally, it follows original manufacturer designs to effectively disperse heat, prolonging the life of your brake pads and rotors while minimizing noise and vibration. With a rust-preventative coating, you gain superior durability and corrosion protection, making it a smart choice for your vehicle.

What We Like
Smooth brake operation
Durability and reliability
Corrosion protection
Noise and vibration reduction
#TOP 10

ACDelco Professional 18B80 Rear Brake Drum

18B80
ACDelco Professional 18B80 Rear Brake Drum Cover
ACDelco Professional 18B80 Rear Brake Drum

The ACDelco Professional 18B80 Rear Brake Drum is a reliable and high-quality product that follows the original manufacturers' designs to reduce noise and vibration while dispersing heat. The brake drum is inspected for balance, resulting in smooth brake operation, and is independently tested for Noise/Vibration/Harshness (NVH) and durability/wear. The rust-preventative coating provides superior durability and corrosion protection.

What We Like
Follows original manufacturers' designs to prolong pad and rotor life
Inspected for balance resulting in smooth brake operation and noise reduction
Independently tested for NVH and durability/wear resulting in high-quality and reliable products
Provides corrosion protection for superior durability with rust-preventative coating
Buying Guide Image

A Guide to Selecting the Best Car Brake Drums for Your Car

Introduction

When it comes to choosing the right brake drums for your car, there are a few key factors to consider. In this article, we'll explore the different types of brake drums available, as well as the factors you should consider when making your decision.

Types of Brake Drums

There are two main types of brake drums: cast iron and composite. Cast iron brake drums are the more traditional option and are known for their durability and longevity. Composite brake drums, on the other hand, are made from a blend of materials such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, and other composites. These brake drums are lighter and more heat-resistant than cast iron drums, but are not as durable.

Choosing the Right Size

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing brake drums is the size. It's important to choose brake drums that are the same size as the ones that came with your car. This will ensure that they fit properly and provide the necessary stopping power.

Compatibility with Other Brake Components

Another important factor to consider is compatibility with other brake components. Your brake drums should be compatible with your brake pads, shoes, and other components. This will ensure that they work together effectively to provide optimal stopping power.

Brand and Price

When it comes to choosing brake drums, brand and price are also important considerations. It's important to choose a reputable brand with a good track record of quality and reliability. In terms of price, it's important to find a balance between cost and quality. Cheaper brake drums may not be as reliable or long-lasting, while more expensive ones may not offer much in terms of additional performance or longevity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several key factors to consider when choosing the right brake drums for your car. These include the type of brake drum, the size, compatibility with other brake components, brand, and price. By taking these factors into account, you can choose the best brake drums for your car and ensure that they provide the stopping power and reliability you need.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much does it cost to replace a drum on a brake?

The average cost of replacing a brake drum ranges from $275 to $399 per axle, depending on the vehicle type and the repair shop you choose.

2. What are the signs of a bad brake drum?

Some signs of a bad brake drum include scraping or grinding noise, poor braking performance, low brake pedal, loose parking brake, brake pedal vibrations, and a soft or spongy brake pedal.

3. Can you drive with bad drums?

It is not safe to drive with worn or damaged brake drums. If your car is having trouble braking, it is recommended to stop driving it and have it towed to a repair shop for immediate attention.

4. What causes brake drums to go bad?

Brake drums can go bad due to excessive wear caused by factors such as aggressive braking, heavy loads, or worn-out brake shoes. Signs of excessive wear on brake drums include deep grooves, rough surfaces, or a significant decrease in braking performance.

5. What happens if drum brakes fail?

One of the first symptoms of failing drum brakes is an unusual brake pedal feel, such as vibrations or shuddering. Worn brake drums can cause these symptoms, affecting the braking performance of the vehicle.

6. When should drum brakes be replaced?

Drum brakes should be replaced if you notice noises from the vehicle, loose parking brakes, trouble stopping the vehicle, or brake pedal vibrations. These signs indicate the need for a drum brake replacement.

7. Are brake drums hard to replace?

Replacing drum brakes is not difficult, although it requires a few specialized tools. However, the process is generally straightforward, and the necessary tools are inexpensive.

8. What do failing drum brakes sound like?

Failing drum brakes may produce a scraping or scratching sound when the brakes are applied. This could indicate severe wear on the brake shoes as well, requiring a closer inspection to determine the exact cause of the noise.

Editor's Notes

During our car brake drum research, we found 24 car brake drum products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 7,997 customer reviews through our big data system to write the car brake drums list. We found that most customers choose car brake drums with an average price of $47.84.

The car brake drums are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of car brake drums, including Bendix, Raybestos, ACDelco, Centric Parts. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Robert Reyes Avatar

Robert Reyes is a dedicated writer from San Francisco with a bachelor of degree in mechanics and a bachelor of degree in marketing. He focuses on making some complicated topics simple and enjoys explaining complex and technical things in an easy-to-understand way.