What are Brake Shoes and Its Symptoms of Failure?

Vehicles have been a breakthrough invention that has been an indispensable part of our lives. The implementation of modern mechanics along with contemporary technology allows vehicles to perform seamlessly on roads.

However, a variety of complex and inconspicuous systems in vehicles play an essential role in ensuring safety. One such unsung element is a brake shoe that is responsible for bringing the moving vehicle to a halt. It involves intricate mechanisms that effortlessly tackle high-momentum vehicles.

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What is a Brake Shoe?

A brake shoe is an indispensable part of a vehicle's braking system and is responsible for forcing a moving vehicle to stop. They are crescent-shaped components found in drum brake systems. One side of a brake shoe comprises a rough material that ensures better friction and grip.

What is the Function of a Brake Shoe?

The primary function of a brake shoe is to push against the inside of a brake drum thereby creating friction that eventually stops a vehicle. Besides, brake shoe material is made with firm materials that can withstand regular friction, high temperatures and wear or tear.

What is the Working Principle of a Brake Shoe?

Here is a step-by-step explanation of the workings of a brake shoe:

Step 1: As you press a brake pedal, the brake shoe experiences a hydraulic pressure that causes it to press against the brake drum.

Step 2: This pressure generates friction that gradually slows down the vehicle causing its rotating wheels to eventually come to a stop.

Where is the Brake Shoe Located?

A brake shoe lies inside a brake drum and is attached to the backing plate with a special hardware material. Each drum brake system comprises a wheel cylinder in every wheel that seamlessly activates the leading and trailing brake shoes.

Two pistons move these two brake shoes simultaneously. However, the leading shoe is smaller and shorter than the trailing shoe since it requires more power to stop a vehicle. Both these shoes only differ in their size and are made of similar materials.

What are the Differences Between a Brake Shoe and a Brake Pad?

Here is a table showing the difference between a brake shoe and a brake pad:

Basis of Difference	Brake Shoe	Brake Pad
Position	Positioned inside a calliper	Positioned inside a brake drum
Stopping power	Have lesser stopping power	Have higher stopping power
Lifespan	Does not last long	Usually lasts longer

What are the Symptoms of Bad or Failing Brake Shoes?

Brake shoes undergo frequent wear and tear due to frictional forces. As a result, they often malfunction or suffer from glitches. However, several warning symbols signify a problem alerting you to take prompt action. Here are a few warning symptoms.

Squealing Noise: A worn-out brake shoe may make a scraping or squealing noise that occurs when it rubs against the interior part of a metal drum. Besides, small debris and dust may settle on brake shoes causing them to make a squeaky noise.
Spongy Brake Pedal: It is common for you to feel that your car's brakes have become loose or spongy and are not responding to the pressure on the brake pedal. However, in such cases, you must take them to a mechanic. This issue might cause trouble in bringing your vehicle to a stop, thus increasing the chances of accidents.
Troublesome Braking: A worn-out brake shoe requires more pressure and effort to be able to stop a vehicle. So, whenever you feel you are putting additional pressure on the brake pedal to stop your vehicle, it signifies a serious problem that needs immediate attention. Negligence might lead to catastrophic accidents since your vehicle might not stop at the correct time.
Loose Parking Brake: Parking brakes are connected to drum brakes. So a loose parking brake warns you of problematic drum brakes and necessitates immediate inspection by a mechanic. Under these circumstances, your car's wheels might keep rolling despite the application of a parking brake.
Vibrating Brake Pedal: Vibrating brake pedals after applying pressure is symbolic of a malfunctioning brake shoe. This often refers to a problem with the drum brakes or uneven brake rotors.

How to Ensure that a Brake Shoe Lasts Longer?

While brake shoes often undergo wear and tear due to friction, you may increase their lifespan with proper care. Here are a few ways you can achieve this goal.

Gentle Deceleration: While driving a car, you must slow it down gently and carefully. Harsh driving leads you to swiftly decelerate your vehicle at times, causing premature wear and tear of its brake shoe. This is because these brake shoes need more power and exceptionally high frictional force to stop the vehicle.

Keep a Check on the Vehicle's Load: While modern vehicles boast cutting-edge technology that enables them to carry heavy loads, it is advisable to carry minimum loads to ensure utmost safety. Excess load puts overwhelmingly high pressure on shoe brakes, causing them to degrade.

Apply Engine Braking Technique: You may use an engine braking technique to enhance the lifespan and efficiency of a brake shoe. In this technique, you take your foot off the accelerator while driving slowly. This allows your engine to develop a natural resistance that puts less pressure on the brakes.

What is the Brake Shoe Replacement Cost?

The cost of replacement of brake shoe varies on the type of vehicle you drive and the sort of repairing centre you choose.

To conclude, an effective shoe brake enables you to have a seamless driving experience by ensuring your safety. So, you must be mindful of the warning symbols that prompt immediate action. With careful examination and assessment, you can fix the problems of brake shoes.

You may also like to read about:

What Are Brake Calipers?

What is a Disc Brake?

FAQ's about Shoe Brakes

All

Can cold weather cause noisy brakes?

Yes, brakes may make a squealing noise if the temperature falls below 32 degrees Celsius. Snow usually gets clogged inside the brake pads and rotors, which creates an annoying noise. However, this snow melts as the brakes heat up, thus solving the issue.

How often should I replace brake shoes?

Usually, you must replace brake shoes once your car runs a distance of 40233-10467 km. However, this depends on the type and model of a vehicle and may vary accordingly.

Can I clean a brake shoe to increase its efficiency?

You may clean off the dirt, debris, and grease from a brake shoe. However, despite regular cleaning, worn-out brake shoes often require replacement after a certain point.

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