[Ralph]

Have always suspected Clio brake drums were not the best, lots of things on Clio's seems to be bought on price rather than function.

 

[madnoel10]

Brake drums tend to need more maintenance than discs mainly due to the fact that brake dust can't escape and the accumulation of dust reduces heat disapation plus it gunges up the internal brakes linkage system. In my opinion well designed and quality manufactured brake drum systems will outlast any disc system and can be just as efficient as rear discs. I think this has been well established and recognised in commercial vehicles. When I had my Clio MKI I needed to remove the drums at least once a year and the original drums where still in good nick after 20 years. Whether that was due to better quality components or due to my regular mantenance I never found out but I do believe it is probably due to both.

The better designed rear drums on my Honda have not needed any maintenance - yes I have checked them annually but only to inspect.

The argument about drums being less efficient when it comes to ABS isn't strictly true after all the first ABS systems fitted to aircraft many moons ago were drum type.

As a side note one of the most efficient car handbrake systems I have ever came across was on the old Saab's were the handbrake operated as separate drums inside the front discs - yes a handbrake that worked on the front wheels. It was purely mechanical with no interface with the hydraulics. Other cars such as some of the older Vauxhalls and Toyota have a similar system on the rear - sadly these have also been discontinued on most most modern models.

 

[Ralph]

Must admit the hand brake on the Clio is one of the best I have come across it will lock the wheels going forward and seems to have a much greater mechanical advantage in reverse were nothing save being towed backwards by a Cat D9 is about move it, maybe that's why the linings come off.