Abstract
The squeal noise of a drum brake is mainly due to the unstable vibration excited by friction. In this paper, the analytical model of a drum brake was made to analyze the squeal phenomena. The model could describe the relationship between the critical friction coefficient and the shapes, mechanical properties of drums and shoes. Based on modal tests and modal analysis, dynamic properties of brake elements used in the model shoe and drum are feasible for noise reduction. Particularly, changes on the drum section were effective.