What Are Brake Pads and Shoes?
Every part of the braking system is important, but some parts more so than others such as the brake pads and shoes. So, just what are brake pads and shoes?
The brakes on your car are fairly primitive in one sense, but very advanced in another. The mechanism they use for slowing the car is basically a measure of brute force, but the materials and efficiency built into that brute force is amazing. The key components are the brake pads and shoes. Let’s take a closer look.
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Brake Pads
Brake pads are found with a disc brake system. This brake system works by placing a braking system on each side of a rotor that is locked into the wheel. To slow the car, the wheel is squeezed much like the way the brakes on a bicycle squeeze the tire rim. The brake pads are the pieces that actually come into contact with the rotor to cause the friction that stops the rotor. Brake pads are made of tough stuff, but will wear down. Replacing worn brake pads usually fixes most brake problems.
Brake Shoes
Brakes have shoes? Yes, they do. They are found in a second type of brake system known as a drum brake. Whereas a disc brake system works by squeezing a turning rotor, a drum system works by pushing against a turning surface. This turning surface is known as a drum. It looks like a Frisbee, but with a bigger rim. As it turns with the wheel, a shoe that has the same curve sits inside of it. Actually, there is one on each side of the circular drum. Regardless, they both push out on the drum when the brake pedal is pushed by the driver or the parking brake is set.
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So, what if your mechanic starts talking about the brake pads and shoes on your car? Should you be suspicious that he or she is talking about two different systems? Sometimes. Many cars are designed with disc brakes on the front and drum brakes on the rear. This would mean you would need the brake pads replaced on the front and brake shoes on the back.
What are brake pads and shoes? They are the key components involved in creating the heat necessary to bring the car to a stop. You can find brake pads for your car here:
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