Abstract: A drum brake assembly with the brake shoe lining friction surface subtending over a total effective friction surface arc length between the shoe heel and toe ends of about 49.degree. on the first or primary shoe, symmetrical about the shoe horizontal center line, and about 57.degree. on the second or secondary shoe, similarly symmetrical. The first or primary shoe may have about the same friction surface arc length as the second or secondary shoe in some instances, each then preferably being about 50% of the friction surface arc length of the prior art typical secondary shoe lining of about 117.degree.. Different methods of reducing the effective friction surface arc lengths are disclosed, as well as the effect on brake effectiveness variations the invention has on brake assemblies, both with the same lining material composition and different lining material compositions.

Abstract: A brake disc has a hat section tapered frusto-conically and receives a viscoelastic damping material between the tapered hat section and the mating outer periphery of the disc mounting flange. The damping material may be rubber coated steel shim stock.