THE NEW STUDEBAKER FLARED, CROSS-RIB DRUM BRAKE

A new drum, developed by The Budd Company, is being used on the higher performing Studebaker models for 1956. The new drum is best described as a flared cross-rib brake drum. The flare results in increased air flow across the drum, and the ribs provide additional surface area.

The flared cross-rib drum provides some improvement in cold performance with an appreciable decrease in brake operating temperatures and consequently much better fade resistance. The prolonged operation at a higher rate of energy input that is provided by the flared cross-rib drum can only be accomplished by drum design, and not by additional mass alone.