Car Brake shoes

Brake shoes refer to the drum brake. Wheels brake in the drum brake, meanwhile brake shoes press the rotating cylinder. Due to the mechanical friction, braking effect is achieved. In cars the parking brake can be the drum brake. It is independent of the operating brake and serves mainly to provide car standing. If the hand brake is on, brake shoes prevent vehicle rolling. Due to this it is possible to stop the car on the inclined surface.

Sooner or later brake shoes wear out. Still, they are not highly subject to tension and serve for a long time. If the parking brake is not effective, the reason is worn-out brake shoes. Braking can be precisely measured on the brake test rig. It is easy to replace the shoes on the platform lift. Moreover, often it is necessary to dismantle wheel bearings. So, it is better to entrust this work to the repair shop. Brake shoes should be replaced endwise. Usually, it is sufficient to install the parking brake on rear axle only.

Also it is possible to repair brake shoes in rear car. Sometimes it is rather difficult to find an appropriate car part for rear cars, as they are very expensive. In popular car models it is better to install a new car part. Do you need to repair something else? Then we can help you to find cheap, but quality car parts. In our online shop you will find interior blower, catalytic converter, boot lid, condenser, dumper strut, window lifter and other car parts you need.

How to identify a faulty drum brake shoes kit

To diagnose drum brake shoes, lift the vehicle with a jack and remove the wheel. Then lower the parking brake lever, and remove the brake drum. The degree of shoes wear is determined by the thickness of the brake linings. Measure it without taking into account the metal base, using a vernier caliper or a ruler. The lowest allowable value is approximately 1.5 mm. The exact figure is available from the manufacturer's manual.

If you do not have experience or necessary tools for dismantling drum brakes, contact a service station to have the components diagnosed. Brake shoes should be diagnosed after every 20,000 to 30,000 km of mileage.

You may notice that the drum brake shoes kit requires diagnostics by the following criteria:

• screeching, rasping and whistling sound while driving;
• wobbling in the area of the wheels during braking;
• increased consumption of brake fluid;
• increased braking distance.

The reasons of malfunction of a drum brake shoes kit

In the process of operation, drum brake shoes are subjected to heavy loads. The reason of the premature wear is oiling of the linings.

The service life of the components varies between 100,000 and 150,000 km, and partly depends on the driving style and driving conditions. Aggressive driving, abrupt and frequent braking on wet roads, and poor road surface reduce the service life of the components.

An important factor is also the quality of the material the components are made of. Poor quality shoes wear and get damaged much faster.

Replacing a drum brake shoes kit

Brake shoes are consumable elements of the mechanism, so they are not subject to repair and restoration. The components are to be replaced simultaneously on the same axle. The algorithm is as follows:

1. Lift the vehicle using a jack.
2. Lock the front wheels of the vehicle with bricks or other chocks.
3. Disengage the parking brake.
4. Unscrew wheel nuts and remove the wheel.
5. Unscrew fastening of the brake drum and remove it.
6. Loosen the parking brake cable.
7. Remove hold-down springs.
8. Remove brake shoes.
9. Install new components in reverse order.

If, while replacing the brake shoes, you find any deformation or wear of the brake drums, the latter should also be replaced.