The Ultimate Guide For Brake Shoe Service

Are brake shoes and brake pads the same thing? The quick answer is no. While brake pads and brake shoes serve the same purpose, they are used in different braking systems and offer different benefits (and disadvantages). The disc brakes have better efficiency, while the drum brakes have a longer service life.

Brake pads are used in disc brake systems, which are more commonly used in modern cars. It is a flat piece of steel with a thick layer of the friction material on one side. Depending on the size and kind of the vehicle as well as the brake caliper, different friction materials are used. Brake pads apply pressure to the disc rotating with the wheel. When the brake pedal is pressed, the master cylinder pushes the brake fluid into the caliper where a set of pistons are actuated. These pistons push the brake pads against the rotating brake discs, slowing the wheel down. The friction material on the brake pads gets thinner with use, and ultimately the brake pads need to be changed. If you want to know more or want to buy a brake pad for replacement, you can refer to our ultimate brake pad buying guide.

Brake shoes are commonly used on the rear wheels of vehicles. Brake shoes are part of a drum brake system. Brake shoes are crescent-shaped components with friction material on one side. They sit inside a brake drum. When the brake pedal is pressed, the brake shoes are forced outward, pushing against the inside of the brake drum and slowing down the wheel.

The parking brake or emergency brake operates primarily by a drum brakes system on the rear wheels. If the car still moves after engaging the parking brake, then the brake shoes need to be inspected.

The force needed to press the pedal will be greater when the brake shoes are worn out, and the pedal will go farther with less force. As a result, the car will have a longer stopping distance, which will be a strong indication that the brake shoes need to be replaced.

Material Required:

• Jacks

• Jack stands

• Tire Iron

• Ratchet 

• Socket Set

• Micrometer 

• Drum brake tool kit

• Flathead Screwdriver

• Brake Cleaner

• Brake lubricant

• Protective gloves

• Safety glasses

  
  

• Park the car on a leveled surface. After placing the wheel chocks behind the front wheel, release the parking brake.

• Loosen the lug nuts with a tire iron while your car is on the ground, but do not remove them. Now, lift your car using a jack. Use secure jack points and if you have any doubt regarding solid under-body points, check your owner’s manual. When your car is safely on the jack stands, completely unscrew the lug nuts and remove the wheel from the car.

  
  

1. Most brake drums are secured with a screw. Look for a small hole, insert a screwdriver to undo the screw, and remove it. 

2. Now, pull the brake drum out towards you. If it is difficult to remove, hit the front of the brake drum with a rubber mallet.

3. Now, measure and examine everything before replacing your brake shoes. A  micrometer calibrated to read inches can be used to gauge the size of the old shoes. Examine the drum for scoring, cracking, or grooving. Replace as required. You should also examine the wheel cylinders while you're checking the brake shoes and drums. They should be changed if they are dripping brake fluid.

4. Using a brake spring tool or a set of locking needle-nose pliers to remove the return springs.

5. Using tools, remove the hold-down spring. Using pliers makes this task difficult. The hold-down spring may be released by rotating it until the pin aligns with the notch.

6. From the backing plate, take off the remaining hardware and brake shoes.

7. Pry up the parking brake cable retention clip with a flathead screwdriver or twist it out of the way with a pair of dykes.

   
   

1. Clean the backing plate with brake cleaner. 

2. Lubricate the bosses, parking brake actuating lever pivot surface, and anchor pin.

3. Reinstall the parking brake retaining clip after inserting the pin through the new brake shoe.

4. Now, the adjusting screw spring and adjusting screw assembly should be installed.

5. Position the brake shoes on the backing plate.

6. The return spring should be placed below the shoe once the actuator has been secured to it.

7. Put the hold-down pins through the brake shoe and backing plate. After that, install the spring and retainer. The pin and alignment slot must line up before you can turn the spring/retainer. To do this, use a brake spring compressor tool.

8. The return springs should be mounted in their mounting holes before being pulled over the anchor with brake spring pliers.

9. Using a screwdriver or brake spoon, adjust the brakes. Expand the shoes until it is barely possible to turn the drum by hand. Adjusting screw 12 notches back off. Back off the adjustment screw a few more notches if the shoes are still sliding after that.

Now, slide the brake drum onto the hub assembly to reinstall it. Replace the wheel and tighten the lug nuts while the vehicle is on the jack stands. Lift the vehicle with a jack, remove the jack stands, lower the vehicle until the wheel touches the ground, and tighten the lug nuts with a torque wrench. Check your owner’s manual for the correct torque values for your car.

These repair and refurbishment methods are provided for informational purposes only. Any damage or injury incurred in the practice of these methods is not the responsibility of PartsAvatar Canada. We always encourage you to consult a professional if you cannot perform the repairs or refurbishment yourself.