Want To Know Brake Shoes and Brake Drums For Car?

The term “shoes” and “drums” are used for vehicles equipped with drum brakes, while “pads” and “rotors” are used for the components of disc brakes. When you press the brake pedal, fluid in the master cylinder applies hydraulic pressure to a single wheel cylinder on each side, which in turn exerts an outward force that presses the brake shoes against the spinning brake drums. This friction is what stops your car. Over time, the material used for the brake shoes and drums wears out, and this wear is determined by factors that include the weight of your vehicle, road conditions (flat vs. hilly), your driving style, if you use the vehicle for towing, and more. Bottom line, the harder you are on your brakes, the sooner they will wear out.  

Most modern vehicles are equipped with four-wheel disc brakes, but some vehicles still use front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. The highly advanced, all-electric Volkswagen ID.4 is one such example, and it uses rear brakes that are designed to last the life of the vehicle! Many classic vehicles use four-wheel drum brakes, although this wasn’t very common after the 1960s. Drum brakes usually last considerably longer than disc brakes as you should be able to get a set of rear drums to last for the same amount of time as two or three sets of front brake pads.

Drum brakes are a very common braking option used on many vehicles today. While disc brakes have become the standard for use on the front and rear axles of many vehicles, drum brakes are still very commonly used. However, they are usually found on the rear axle of a vehicle, and usually also function as the parking brake for the vehicle.

While both disc and drum brakes are commonly found across all types of vehicle platforms, and are both safe and reliable braking options, they do differ significantly in design and operation. Drum brakes use friction-lined brake shoes inside of a drum, as opposed to brake pads over a disc brake rotor. This design allows them to have a longer service life, as well as a lower cost of manufacturing than found with disc brakes – in exchange for the straight-ahead braking power and heat dissipation of a disc brake system. This is why most vehicles with drum brakes will usually have disc brakes in the front and drums in the rear, as most of a vehicle’s braking force is exerted onto the front wheels during braking.

Replacing drum brakes isn’t difficult but it requires special tools and a little caution. In return, you save on hefty auto mechanics bills. This article will describe the general process, but you will still want to consult the manual for your car’s particular make and model. We still recommend going to an experienced car repair shop to have it replaced by a professional.

How often do drum brakes need to be replaced?

The majority of modern vehicles have disc brakes, however some vehicles use drum brakes on the rear axle. Rear drum brakes also function as parking brakes.  The parking brake mechanism is connected to the rear drum brakes via parking brake cables.

How long do drum brakes last?

Drum brakes are known for their longevity. In some vehicles, rear drum brakes can last for up to 150,000 miles, although there are many factors that can cause brakes to wear out sooner.

When do drum brakes need to be replaced?

Car manufacturers don’t specify intervals for replacement, but advise having the brakes inspected regularly and replace if needed. Typically brake inspections are done when doing the tire rotation. Since drum brakes are hidden behind drums, the drums have to be removed for the inspection. Car manufacturers provide specifications and guidelines for the mechanics on the inspection process in the service manual.

5 tips that you require brake drum replacement:

• Parking brake doesn’t hold vehicle securely
• Grinding or scraping noise when brake pedal is pressed
• Vibration (felt in the pedal or steering wheel) when you press the brake pedal
• Mileage determined by manufacturer’s preventative maintenance schedule
• Visual inspection shows worn brake shoes (if the shoes look damaged or are less than serviceable thickness)

Replacing drum brakes typically means replacing the brake shoes and drums, as well as related hardware. If additional parts fail the inspection, they will need to be replaced too. For example, if the wheel cylinder is leaking or not working properly, it’s replaced at the same time. As an option, drums can be resurfaced (machined) or reused if they pass the inspection. The maximum (discard) diameter is often stamped on the drum. Replacing drums is always a better option, since machining makes the drums thinner and more susceptible to overheating.

What happens if I don’t do this? How bad could things get?

If you don’t replace the brake shoes before they get to their minimum thickness, it can end up costing you more in the long run. Generally speaking, brake drums can outlive at least two or three sets of brake shoes before requiring replacement, but driving with shoes that are too worn out could cause excessive and premature damage to the drums. Worst case scenario, if the shoes are worn too thin, the wheel cylinders could be extended too far and create a brake fluid leak causing decreased braking performance.