REAR Disc brakes disc and drum combo or drums?

[mitsuru]

While searching through some paperwork for bits needed to reapply for my Disability Blue Badge,
came across a printout I did from the government website. The printout was of all the MOT's and
failures with advisories. One of the major problems which thrown up more failures or advisories is
the hand brake!

The Chrysler Neon comes with disc brakes with inboard drums for the hand brake, which are useless!
I have had 3 neons, 2 x mk1, and a mk2 and all had the same problem. Even though the most
common mod to the neon in the states is to do a drum to disc conversion!

Are there other vehicles that have had this same problem, where the inboard drums on the
combination disc/drum setup are barely fit for purpose?


I am also thinking that if the Neon fails on the handbrake of changing it to drums on the rear!!

[colnerov]

Hi, yes early Saab 99s and Volvo's. The problem I think with this set up is the handbrake is applied when the car is stationary and so the area of the drum that the shoes bear on get wet and so rusts and dirty which doesn't provide an ideal surface for a high enough friction, I found that when I had the Saab that if I gently applied the handbrake at low speeds or when coming to a stop it kept the surface clean. The size of the drum was only about 5" so it won't take too much abuse or give a long life.

Hope this helps.

Colin

[composimmonite]

I never had a problem with the handbrake on our auto Neon. It was used all the time unlike a lot of auto's where Park is the main source of holding the car stationary. Same with our Volvo's albeit manuals so I reckon regular use is essential for such setups.

Paul h

[mitsuru]

A heavy but smaller than expected parcel arrived at lunchtime




There were just the drum assemblies and not the full hubs!!!










I assume that the post would have had the abs sensor bolted to it









I think I made a mistake by assuming that the bolt pattern of the doner voyager
would be the same as the voyager I got my alloys from! It looks like the studs
have a bigger bolt pattern!






The alloy wheels are off the pervious version of the voyager and they are 14"
I think it might be possible to change the bearing/stud unit over with that of
either a neon or earlier voyager as long asit has the right bolt patern and ABS.
Remembering that there is a fiar bit of alloy there compaired to that of a steel
wheel the alloy wheel looks like it could have fitted over if it had the right
bolt pattern,





I will give my friendly car parts shop a call about the replacement drums with
the correct bolt pattern later in the week.

[mitsuru]

After a little research it looks like that I might have to buy a set of new drums and have the
bolt/stud holes customized by a professional workshop. Here is the reason why, the drum hubs I
have are require a inside drum diameter of 25cm and are for a 15" wheel with a wider stud
pattern. The older hubs which are the same bolt bolt/stud pattern as the neon require a 23cm
drum inside diameter and are for a 14" wheel.

The later drums are not only bigger in diameter but also in depth, which will mean better hand
brake.

As the srapyard only sent the drum assembly and not the suspension part it bolts onto I am will
be looking for a suitably compatible part.

[mitsuru]

It looks like whether the neon is drum or disc/drum combo they bolt upto the same spindle




Here is the relavant page on the rear suspension aetup.




A US seller has a none abs drum with spindle up for sale which has a far smaller drum than the voyager I might use.
Here are the photos taken from is his listing








And under the red paint and rust you cab just make out the back of the bolts and bolt holes.

[mitsuru]

I can't remember If i stated this or not, but there is no adjustment at the handbrake leaver on the neon!
So the very tiny adjusters on the internal drums of the rear brake set is it! Now you know why they are a
problem on these cars!

[chrissyb]

the merc 190 and saab 93 uses this setup, never had a problem. Personally though you can't beat full size drums for a decent handbrake!