Car taking longer to stop than usual?
Hand brake on, but your ride still rolls a little sometimes?
A worn brake shoe may be the culprit. These little heroes press against the brake drum to create the friction needed to stop your car safely. When they’re shot, so is your stopping power.
The fix: A brake shoe replacement.
Let’s break down the brake shoe replacement process and how to spot a bad one before it’s too late. We’ll also explore if it’s safe to drive when the brake shoes fail.
This Article Contains:
- How to Perform a Brake Shoe Replacement: A General Know-How
- How Often Should You Inspect and Replace Brake Shoes?
- How Much Does a Brake Shoe Replacement Cost?
- Is It Safe to Drive with Worn Drum Brake Shoes?
- 3 FAQs about Brake Shoes
How to Perform a Brake Shoe Replacement: A General Know-How
Brake shoes, primarily found in rear drum brakes, are harder to replace than front disc brakes because of the extra springs, clips, and hardware involved.
You’ll also need to inspect and repair the wheel brake cylinder for leaks to protect the new shoes from corrosive fluid. Pulling off this brake service can be demanding for a novice, so hiring a seasoned mechanic will be wise.
Here’s how they’ll perform the rear brake shoe replacement:
Step 1: Prep the Vehicle
The mechanic will park your car on a flat surface, chock the front wheels, and release the hand brake (parking brake lever). Then, they’ll loosen the wheel lug nuts, jack up the rear axle, and secure your vehicle on jack stands.
Step 2: Detach the Wheel and Remove the Dust Cap
They’ll remove the rear wheel and set it aside. Afterward, they’ll use a breaker bar to remove the dust cap and axle-bearing retainer nut.
The dust cap is a metal cover that sits over the axle hub, protecting the internal components from dirt and debris. Whereas the retainer nut secures the axle shaft and wheel hub assembly.
NOTE: Depending on the make and model, some vehicles may not require removing the axle nut or dust cap to access the drum.
Step 3: Remove the Brake Drum
The mechanic will twist the drum slowly to pull it out from the axle hub. If it’s stuck due to rust or grease, they’ll spray brake cleaner to loosen buildup and use a rubber mallet to free the drum.
Step 4: Inspect the Brake Parts
The mechanic will check the condition of each rear brake shoe. They’ll look for fluid contamination, uneven thickness, and glazing.
Step 5: Remove the Return Spring and Clip
They’ll use pliers to remove the return spring beneath the brake drum. This spring pulls the shoe back into place after the brake pedal is released. Relieving its tension is necessary before removing the old shoe.
Similarly, the mechanic will remove the clips (also known as hold-down clips) that keep the brake shoe in place.
Step 6: Disconnect the Parking Brake Cable and Remove the Old Shoe
They’ll disconnect the cable from the parking brake arm and grab the shoe set to pull it off the backing plate. In some cars, the mechanic will disconnect the parking brake cable after removing the shoe.
Step 7: Inspect the Wheel Brake Cylinder
Afterward, the mechanic will examine the wheel cylinder to ensure there’s no brake fluid leak. If so, they’ll replace it.
Step 8: Compare the Shoes and Transfer Hardware
They’ll compare the new brake shoe with the old one to ensure a proper match. Then, the mechanic will transfer components like the mounting spring, parking brake lever, and adjuster from the old shoe to the new one.
During this step, they’ll reset the brake adjuster for proper fit. When you drive after complete replacement, this adjuster will self-adjust to maintain an appropriate gap between the drum and brake lining.
Step 9: Install the New Brake Shoe and Reattach the Return Spring
The mechanic will firmly press the new shoe against the backing plate and secure it with hold-down clips. Then, they’ll carefully reinstall the return spring without damaging it.
Step 10: Reinstall the Brake Drum
Next, they’ll place the drum over the new brake shoe set, fix the dust cap, and screw axle nuts to secure the assembly. Then, the mechanic will reattach the rear wheel and repeat the process on the other side.
Step 11: Test the Brakes
Finally, they’ll lower the vehicle, refill the brake fluid, and test drive to check the brakes.
The mechanic will push the pedal and engage the hand brake (parking brake lever) a few times. This will allow the rear shoe to self-adjust and work.
Wondering if your brake shoes need replacement right now?
Keep scrolling to check if you’re overdue.
How Often Should You Inspect and Replace Brake Shoes?
To catch early signs of shoe wear, it’s best to schedule a brake inspection annually or every 10,000 to 20,000 miles.
As for replacement, you should change the brake shoes every 35,000 to 70,000 miles, depending on their wear and your local driving conditions.
Do these guidelines apply to front brake pads as well?
No. Front brake pads have a shorter lifespan of 20,000 to 50,000 miles. That’s because front brakes (typically disc brakes) handle most of the stopping force. Meanwhile, rear brakes (usually drum brakes) provide complimentary support.
However, when brake pads or shoes wear out, they show similar signs, such as odd noises and poor braking performance. So, before you opt for a repair or replacement, ask a mechanic to inspect the entire braking system thoroughly.
Now that you know when to schedule an inspection and repair, let’s look at the cost of changing old brake shoes.
How Much Does a Brake Shoe Replacement Cost?
Installing new brake shoes costs roughly around $260 to $300. These brake job charges depend on the number of shoes you must change, their material, local labor rates, and more.
If your car has a rear drum and front disc brake setup, you may need a brake pad replacement for the front. Changing the pads will add another $115 to $320 to your bill.
Don’t want to invest in a new brake shoe yet?
Check out why prolonged driving with old, worn shoes isn’t a good idea.
Is It Safe to Drive with Worn Drum Brake Shoes?
Certainly not!
Faulty brake shoes can’t create the friction needed to slow down your vehicle. If the rear shoe is damaged, your brake pedal will feel spongy, and the car will take longer to stop. These issues can be dangerous, especially in traffic and sudden stops.
To avoid any severe brake problems and potential accidents, schedule a shoe replacement ASAP.
But if you want to know more about brake shoes before replacing them, have a look at these commonly asked queries.
3 FAQs about Brake Shoes
Here are the answers to some common questions about brake shoes:
1. What Are the Symptoms of Worn Brake Shoes?
If there’s a problem with your rear shoe, you’ll notice some obvious signs like:
- Squealing or scraping noises when you apply the brakes
- A lit brake warning light
- Vehicle veers to one side during braking
- Noticeable reduction in braking power
- Ineffective emergency brake
- The brake pedal sinks to the floor or feels spongy
- The vehicle shakes upon braking
- The drum brakes lock up
- Excess brake dust found during visual inspection
2. How Do Brake Shoes Lose Their Effectiveness?
Brake shoes can become ineffective due to several factors, such as:
- Regular wear and tear: The brake shoe’s friction material (brake lining) presses against the inside of the drum to create friction and decelerate your vehicle. Regular driving wears down this lining, which causes brake problems like poor stopping power.
- Grease or oil contamination: A leaking rear axle seal or a wheel bearing failure can coat the brake shoes with gear oil or grease. Contaminated shoes can become brittle and crack, severely affecting the brake system performance.
- Locking-up from weak springs: Faulty or seized return springs can cause your brake shoes to press unevenly against the drum. Improper contact with the drum leads to quick deterioration of the brake shoes, making them less effective.
- Exposure to moisture: Water or brake fluid exposure can cause rust accumulation on the shoe and other brake assembly components. Corrosion can quickly deteriorate the shoes and cause them to malfunction unexpectedly.
- Excess heat: If your emergency brake is engaged while driving, it can overheat and glaze the surface of a rear brake shoe. Overheating can also happen when you haul or tow heavy loads. This extra weight strains the brake shoes and wears them out faster.
- Broken brake parts: Damaged brake drums or a corroded brake adjuster can harm the shoes. Once the brake shoes are damaged, they won’t create the required friction to slow down your vehicle.
- Low-quality material: The braking system is built to withstand normal operating temperatures of around 195° F to 220° F. If your brake shoes are made of poor-quality steel or copper, they may quickly deform and fail.
- Incorrect installation: A DIY brake job can leave new shoes misaligned, which can cause uneven wear and premature failure.
3. How Can You Maintain Brake Shoes?
Your brake shoes may last longer if you:
- Install high-quality brake assembly parts.
- Adopt healthy driving habits and avoid hard braking to reduce strain on components like brake rotor, pad, and shoe.
- Don’t tow heavy loads often.
- Schedule brake repair service every 15,000 miles to readjust your drums.
- Get the wheel cylinder checked annually or every 12,000 miles to catch signs of a brake fluid leak early.
Keep Brake Shoe Troubles at Bay with AutoNation Mobile Service
While a brake shoe doesn’t wear out as fast as a front disc brake pad, that doesn’t mean it’ll last forever. Once they start to fail, your brakes can become unreliable and unsafe. So, replacing them at the first sign of trouble is important.
If you’re unsure how to proceed with this brake service, contact AutoNation Mobile Service.
Our mechanics can service your brake shoes right from your driveway.
With fair pricing and a 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty, you can book confidently, knowing your car is in good hands.
Contact us to book your shoe replacement or any other brake repair service.