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Tam-Tam or Bongo?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by habel, Nov 20, 2005.

  1. habel

    habel New Member

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    Hi.

    I believe that I read somewhere here on Priuschat that the US Prius has rear Drum Brakes...

    Is this really true??

    Henrik
     
    #1 habel, Nov 20, 2005
  2. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    Sure is. Somehow, we manage.
     
    #2 tochatihu, Nov 20, 2005
  3. habel

    habel New Member

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    Thanks for that info tochatihu!

    As I was visiting my dealer the other day (in Norway, Europe) I asked my salesguy why Toyota had drum brakes at the rear of the Prius.

    He said they don't - and showed me at a Prius in the shop. And sure enough - the discs where quite visible.

    Seems strange that Totota puts discs in some markets and drums in others..??! I would also believe that it must be more expensive productionwise to make 2 different solutions too.

    Henrik
     
    #3 habel, Nov 20, 2005
  4. jchu

    jchu New Member

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    I believe the reasons for the difference were postulated on in another thread a year or so ago. The thesis was that different markets have different ride and handling expectations. Our disc brakes seem perfectly fine for most US needs.

    Another difference cited in those threads had to do with the suspension. Apparently the European suspension is stiffer and handles better than the North American version. (See all the threads complaining about ours and the desire for a "sport suspension" package.) It is also why one of the PC sponsors developed a stiffening plate.
     
    #4 jchu, Nov 20, 2005
  5. habel

    habel New Member

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    Thanks jchu, yes that may be the reason. Still it MUST be more expensive to make 2 different kind of rear brake systems to the car than just one...

    And I believe the 2006 has been "stiffened", so I guess the plate will no longer be needed.

    Henrik
     
    #5 habel, Nov 20, 2005
  6. Jack 06

    Jack 06 New Member

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    On the Japanese website announcing THEIR '06s, there was mention both of stiffening the chassis and "tuning" the suspension. But I haven't been able to find a word about that on any US info. (Nor, for that matter, improved "sound- deadening" glass in the side windows.)

    Do you know if those improvements apply to the Euro model?
     
    #6 Jack 06, Nov 20, 2005
  7. habel

    habel New Member

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    Hi Jack!

    This is what I know:

    Suspention tuning - no word
    Sound deadening glass - same
    Stiffening of the chassis - rumors only..

    In other words - info is sparse, to say the least! ;)
     
    #7 habel, Nov 20, 2005
  8. habel

    habel New Member

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    I think I have seen people complain about the front seats in the Prius - namely that they cannot be adjusted heightwise.

    Is this true?
     
    #8 habel, Dec 28, 2005
  9. Wynder

    Wynder New Member

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    While a tam-tam does fall in the percussion category, it's not actually a type of drum.

    Ignore my nitpicking. ;p

    Rob
    Diamond State Concert Band, Principle Percussionist (2001-current)
    Dover Sympony, Principle Percussionist (95-96)
    Brandywine Pops Orchestra, Principle Timpanist (93-94)
     
    #9 Wynder, Dec 28, 2005
  10. habel

    habel New Member

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    Who said anything about drums...?? ;)

    Happy New Year!
     
    #10 habel, Dec 31, 2005
  11. Wynder

    Wynder New Member

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    do not know! I just read the topic. ;p
     
    #11 Wynder, Dec 31, 2005
  12. habel

    habel New Member

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    By the way - here is a pic of the rear disc brake of a 2006 european Prius:

    [attachmentid=2147]
     
    #12 habel, Feb 7, 2006
  13. prius2006rocks

    prius2006rocks New Member

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    So what do drum brakes "mean"? Like are we sacrificing anything because there aren't disc in back? I am just crurious.
     
    #13 prius2006rocks, Feb 7, 2006
  14. Wynder

    Wynder New Member

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    #14 Wynder, Feb 7, 2006
  15. habel

    habel New Member

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    Well, yes & no... ;)

    A good comparison of the two tecnologies is to be found here:

    http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/techcente...57/article.html
     
    #15 habel, Feb 8, 2006
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