Most of the older cars on the market have two different types of brake systems on the front and rear of them. Generally, the front brakes will be pads and rotors, while the back will be drums and shoes. The rear brakes of a car have to work properly in order to maintain the full braking power needed to bring a car to a stop rapidly. When you press down on your brake pedal, the brake shoes that are located inside of your drums will press against them and help to bring the car to a stop. The brake shoes on your car are only used when the brake pedal is pressed.
For the most part, a person will brake multiple times during a driving experience. This constant friction will eventually lead to the brake shoes wearing out. The brake shoes on your car are designed to last around 35,000 miles, but in some cases they will not make it that far. There are a variety of things that can lead to increased wear on a set of brake shoes, like damaged hardware or warped brake drums. Neglecting to get these elements fixed before replacing the brake shoes will usually lead to them wearing out prematurely. The best way to get to the bottom of what is causing your braking issues is by having a professional troubleshoot the vehicle.
The thickness of the brake shoes that you have is very important due to the increased braking power it can provide. When the brake shoes begin to show signs of wear, you will have to act quickly to avoid any further damages. The following are some of the things that you may notice when it is time to change out your brake shoes:
- The rear brakes make noise when trying to come to a stop
- The hand brake on the car will not work properly
- The car shakes and vibrates when trying to brake
Addressing the issues with your brake shoes is important and will allow you to enjoy the full braking power of your vehicle. A mechanic can replace the damaged brake shoes on your vehicle so that your brake system is in top shape.
