Brake Shoe Manufacturer

Brake shoes help your vehicle slow down or stop. When you press the brake pedal, the brake shoes touch the inside of the brake drum, creating friction that makes the wheels slow down, especially in drum brake systems, which are often found on the rear wheels of many vehicles.

You can see them in: Small cars and sedans (especially older models), trucks and trailers (because drum brakes are durable and handle heavy loads well), tractors and other heavy-duty or off-road vehicles, and some racing or performance vehicles.

Brake pads and brake shoes both help your vehicle stop, but they work in different types of brake systems.

• Brake pads are used in disc brakes. When you step on the brake pedal, the brake pads clamp onto a spinning brake rotor (called a brake disc) to create friction and slow your car down.
• Brake shoes are used in drum brakes. It pushes outward against the inside of a brake drum to create friction and stop your car.

In short:

• Brake pads go on the outside (disc system),
• Brake shoes press from the inside (drum system).

Both do the same job – just in different ways.

You might have bad brake shoes if you notice any of these signs:

• Noisy Brakes: If you hear grinding, squealing, or scraping sounds when you brake, it often means the brake shoes have worn down and the metal parts are rubbing against the brake drum.
• Reduced Braking Power: When your brake shoes are thin or damaged, it takes more effort and distance to slow down or stop your vehicle. You might notice the brakes feel “soft” or less responsive.
• Brake Pedal Issues: A brake pedal that feels spongy, sinks toward the floor, or requires you to press harder than usual can be a sign that the brake shoes need attention.
• Vibrations or Pulsing: If you feel shaking or pulsing through the brake pedal when stopping, uneven wear on the brake shoes or brake drums could be the cause.
• Visual Inspection: If you or a mechanic remove the wheel and brake drum, worn brake shoes will look thin (usually less than a few millimeters of friction material left) or cracked.
• Brake Warning Lights: Some vehicles have sensors that trigger a dashboard light when brake components, including shoes, are worn out.
• Pulling to One Side: If your vehicle pulls sideways when braking, it may be due to uneven or damaged brake shoe wear.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to get your brakes inspected right away. Driving with worn brake shoes is risky and can damage other brake parts.

If you don’t replace worn-out brake shoes, several problems can happen:

• Reduced braking power: Your car won’t stop as quickly or smoothly, which increases the risk of accidents.
• Damage to other parts: Worn shoes can cause damage to the brake drum and other brake components, leading to more expensive repairs.
• Noisy brakes: You’ll likely hear grinding or scraping sounds as metal rubs against metal.
• Brake failure: In the worst case, your brakes might fail, making it dangerous or impossible to stop your vehicle safely.
• Increased repair costs: Ignoring worn brake shoes can lead to bigger, costlier damage down the road.

Replacing brake shoes on time keeps your braking system working well and your vehicle safe.

Brake shoes usually last longer than brake pads because of how and where they work. Brake shoes are used in the rear wheels, where braking isn’t as strong, so they don’t wear out as fast.

Also, drum brakes (which use brake shoes) spread out the heat and pressure better than disc brakes, so the shoes wear down more slowly.

In short, brake shoes don’t do as much work as brake pads, so they last longer.