Arizona Air Brakes CDL Practice Test

Which type of foundation brake is most commonly found on heavy vehicles?

1. A. Disc brakes

2. B. Wedge drum

3. C. S-cam drum

4. D. None of the above

The correct answer is: C. S-cam drum

The type of foundation brake most commonly found on heavy vehicles is the S-cam drum brake. This design is favored for its effectiveness and reliability in heavy-duty applications. S-cam drum brakes use a mechanical system where a cam, shaped like an "S," rotates to push the brake shoes outward against the drum. This setup allows for a greater force to be applied to the shoes, making it capable of handling the high demands of heavier loads and providing strong stopping power. S-cam drum brakes also have advantages in terms of maintenance and longevity, as they are less prone to the issues that may arise in disc brake systems under heavy usage conditions. Furthermore, the design is well-understood and widely used in the trucking industry, contributing to its prevalence in heavy vehicles.