
Why Do You Need Brake Shoes?
- Brake shoes are affordable to produce than a set of brake pads.
- Since most braking effort is sent to the front axle, brake shoes on the rear axle will not experience temperatures that they cannot handle.
- Due to their durability and simple design, brake shoes can be recycled for future use.
What is the purpose of brake shoes?
You'll know the brake pads are ready to be replaced if you experience any of these conditions:
- Decreased braking performance: As the brake pad friction material wears thin, braking efficiency can decrease, leading to increased stopping distances. ...
- Squealing: This noise is there for you. ...
- Grinding: If you hear a grinding sound most likely the brake pad metal backing has come in contact with the brake rotor because of worn friction material. ...
What are the material use to make brake shoes?
- INTRODUCTION. ...
- FRICTION COMPOSITES WITH A POLYMERIC MATRIX. ...
- FRICTION COMPOSITES BASED ON A METALLIC MATRIX. ...
- CARBON-CARBON COMPOSITE FRICTION MATERIALS. ...
- CERAMIC COMPOSITE FRICTION MATERIALS. ...
- Author information. ...
- Additional information. ...
- Rights and permissions
- About this article. ...
Are brake pads and shoes the same thing?
The main differences between brake pads and brake shoes are: Brake pads and brake shoes are positioned differently in their braking system. Brake pads are placed inside a caliper which surrounds the brake disc and brake shoes are placed inside the brake drum. Brake shoes typically last much longer than brake pads.
How to measure brake shoes?
- Observe the position of the pads when removing them from the brake caliper.
- Make sure the springs and shims on the brake pads are OK.
- Measure the brake pads from all sides. Vernier calipers are best suited as measuring tools.
- Thickness may vary across the length and width of the pad. Check them out properly.

Are brake shoes necessary?
They're actually designed to help you stop your car! In fact, brake shoes are an essential element of certain braking systems, and, contrary to popular belief, they are not the same thing as brake pads. Learn what brake shoes are, why they're important, and how they stand apart from brake pads.
What is the difference between brake shoes and pads?
What is this? Brake shoes and brake pads cannot be used on the same wheel; however, they can be used on the same vehicle. Brake shoes are typically mounted on the rear axle, while brake pads are typically mounted on the front axle in most vehicles. Brake shoes are known to be safer than brake pads.
How do I know if I need new brake shoes?
The initial bite when the brakes are still cold may be lacking. This is because the brake shoes are so worn that they cannot firmly press against the drum. Hand brake feels loose. If the hand brake requires a hard yank to keep the car from rolling off, chances are the brake shoes need replacing.
How long do brake shoes last?
A vehicle's brake drums and shoes are durable components designed to last for a long time. The brake drums are expected to last for about 150,000 to 200,000 miles; while, the brake shoes are expected to last for about 30,000 miles under normal driving and maintenance conditions.
Why do you need brake shoes?
Brake shoes and brake pads form an essential part of your brake system. You’ll want them in perfect condition to ensure that your braking system remains functional.
What is a brake shoe?
The brake shoe is a curved metal piece with a layer of friction material, called the brake lining, on one side.
What does it mean when your drum brakes are grinding?
The grinding noise made by a worn-out drum brake shoe is a tell-tale sign that your drum brakes aren’t in optimal condition.
How to make brakes last longer?
It’s recommended to slow your vehicle down gently — ensuring that the friction material in your brake shoe has less work to do — helping them last longer.
How many brake shoes are there in a drum brake?
Each drum brake has one pair of brake shoes — a primary shoe (front brake shoe) and a secondary shoe (rear brake shoe). Sometimes their lengths are slightly different, or they may have different types of friction materials.
What happens when you depress the brake pedal?
When you depress your brake pedal, the wheel cylinder in the drum brake engages, pushing the brake shoes outwards, against the inside surface of the brake drum.
What happens when a brake is released?
When the brake is released, the retention spring pulls the brake shoe back in a resting position, allowing the vehicle to move again.
What are brake shoes?
Brake shoes are crescent-shaped components with a rough friction material on one side. They sit inside of 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. Drum brakes and brake shoes are parts of an older type of braking system ...
How do brake shoes and pads work?
The main difference between brake shoes and brake pads is their direction of force. Brake shoes stop the car by pushing outward, while brak e pads stop it by moving closer together. Instead of sitting inside a brake drum, brake pads are positioned around a disc called a rotor. A caliper squeezes the brake pads together so they press against the rotor disc, which slows down the wheels and stops the car.
Why do brake shoes wear down?
Additionally, brake shoes are housed inside the brake drum which can help protect them from rust, dirt, and corrosion. However, if dirt or debris does get into the brake drum, it can become trapped in the drum which may cause the brake shoes to wear down much faster. Brake pads, on the other hand, are more exposed to the elements, ...
How long do brake shoes last?
Some brake shoes are designed to last several thousand miles, but driving habits, road conditions, and weather can all affect the lifespan of your brake components — regardless of whether you have disc brakes, drum brakes, or both! Fortunately, checking the condition of your braking system is easy!
Why do brake pads outlast brakes?
Brake shoes may outlast brake pads due to their location within the system. Since they are positioned in the rear of the vehicle , brake shoes may last longer as they aren't taking as much of the stopping force. Additionally, brake shoes are housed inside the brake drum which can help protect them from rust, dirt, and corrosion.
What is disc brake?
In such systems, brake pads are squeezed together by a caliper against a rotor disc — hence the name "disc brake.". The pads squeezing against the rotor generate the friction needed to stop the car. Brake shoes are part of a drum brake system. Brake shoes are crescent-shaped components with a rough friction material on one side.
Why are disc brakes always on the front wheels?
On these vehicles, the disc brakes are almost always kept on the front wheels since they can generally handle more stopping force when the brakes are applied. Here are a few more differences you'll find on brake shoe and brake pad systems.
What are brake shoes?
Brake pads are one of the most common elements of a modern braking system. When brake pads are used, they are squeezed together by a caliper, pushing against a rotor disc, which is how they were named “disc brakes.” It’s the brake pads that create friction – energy – to control and stop a car.
What are brake shoes made from?
Like brake pads, brake shoes are made from organic and metallic materials, tough enough to survive the friction required for the braking process. These materials are bonded together to keep them from shedding or breaking under intense heat and pressure.
What are the differences between brake shoes and brake pads?
Because a disc brake system in general, has more controlled stopping force when braking, they are almost always found on the front wheels of modern day vehicles. However, there are other differences between brake shoes and brake pads.
What material is used in brake shoes?
Brake shoes, unlike pads, are an older system, and thus, they have various linings that press against the drum. Asbestos was the most used material, but they later noted adverse effects on them. After asbestos was scrapped of they currently use synthetic aramid materials.
Why are brakes important?
The brake system is an essential part of your vehicle since it keeps you and other road users safe. The debate on brake pad vs. brake shoe may get you overthinking. It is crucial to note that brake pad and brake shoes are different even though they perform a similar task. Ensure you read on this comprehensive guide that explains why ...
How does a disc brake pad work?
For the disc pad to operate, the driver has to push his foot down the brake pedal, which in turn pushes the master cylinder. The master cylinder contains a fluid that equally transmits the braking force to all brake pads in the wheels.
Why do disc brakes wear out?
Due to friction and heat, the brake shoe material wears out with time. This will later necessitate replacement if you want them to work efficiently. The disc pad usually has a shorter cooling time and hence offers better-stopping performance compared to drum brakes.
Why are organic brakes banned?
Long ago, organic brakes were manufactured from asbestos, which was popular due to their ability to absorb heat. However, they were eventually banned and replaced by ceramic brake pads. They cost quite a fortune, but they are durable, lightweight, and have better performance.
How to tell if brake pads need replacing?
Some of the most common indicators are grinding, squealing, or whining sounds while trying to brake. These symptoms show that our brake pads are wearing out and are becoming a little too thin.
How does friction-induced brake shoe work?
Rather than squeezing, a brake shoe material pushes outwards against the brake drum, and this way, friction-induced makes a moving vehicle to reduce speed or stop.

Overview
Railway tread brake
The brake shoe carries the brake block. The block was originally made of wood, then usage of cast iron (particularly grey iron) appear to be later replaced nowadays by High Friction composite material. When the brake is applied, the shoe moves and presses the block against the tread of the wheel. As well as providing braking effort this also "scrubs" the wheel and keeps it clean. This scrubbing causes wear and tear on the wheel tread and often causes brake squeal. Tread brakes …
Automobile drum brake
The brake shoe carries the brake lining, which is riveted or glued to the shoe. When the brake is applied, the shoe moves and presses the lining against the inside of the drum. The friction between lining and drum provides the braking effort. Energy is dissipated as heat.
Modern cars have disc brakes all round, or discs at the front and drums at the rear. An advantage of discs is that they can dissipate heat more quickly than drums so there is less risk of overheati…
Bicycle rim brake
This comprises a pair of rectangular open boxes which are mounted on the brake calipers of a bicycle and that hold the brake blocks which rub on the rim of a bicycle wheel to slow the bicycle down or stop it.
Cataloguing
There are different systems for the cataloguing of brake shoes. The most frequently used system in Europe is the WVA numbering system.
Brake shoe for railroad cars
A brake shoe can be put on the track to stop a moving car. The wheel rolls up to the tongue and then the brake shoe glides with the car on the track until it stops. They are also called rail skids or rail skates.
See also
• Brake pad