What is the difference between brake pads and brake shoes?
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Every time we press down on the brake pedal, we’re relying on a complex system to bring our vehicles to a safe stop. Within this system, one of two crucial components play a significant role: brake pads and brake shoes. While both are essential for effective braking, understanding their differences is vital for maintaining vehicle safety and performance.
In this article, we explore the braking system to understand the need for brake pads and brake shoes. Whether you’re an automotive enthusiast or a novice driver, gaining insight into these components will not only enhance your understanding of vehicle mechanics, but also empower you to make informed decisions when it comes to maintenance and repairs.
Are brake pads and brake shoes the same thing?
No – brake pads and brake shoes are not the same thing. Most modern cars either have a disc brake system (also known as rotors) or a drum brake system, though vehicles can have both (usually with disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear). Disc brakes and brake pads work together, whilst brake drums work with brake shoes.
Disc and drum brakes work quite differently to achieve the same goal: to effectively slow down and stop your car. Both parts use friction material, but each type of braking system uses different components to execute this – which means they aren’t interchangeable.
If you’re unsure what type of brakes your car has, read on to find out more.
What are the different types of brakes on cars?
There are two types of brakes typically used in cars today. There are disc brakes, which are commonly found in modern and high-performance vehicles, and there are drum brakes which are typically found in older cars.
High-performance vehicles or sports cars can have a disc brake system which comes with ventilation holes or slots for enhanced heat dissipation. Discs work together with brake pads, which are a part of the caliper assembly.
In comparison, drum brakes can be found in smaller, older cars, or coupled with a front pair of disc brakes (for example, a hatchback might have front disc brakes and rear drum brakes). Brake shoes are used instead of pads, which sit inside the drum and apply pressure during braking.
While disc brakes tend to be more common, plenty of cars still utilise a mixture of both disc and drum brakes.
Not sure which type(s) of brakes your car has? Check behind your front and rear wheels. If you’re having difficulty seeing the brakes with your wheels in front, safely remove the wheel so that you can get a better look at your braking system. Look out for a caliper assembly, disc or drum.
Disc brakes look like a flat cylindrical disc (hence the name). You may be able to see the caliper assembly attached on the outside,
Drum brakes however, look more like a casing. Inside, are brake shoes and various other small components that help create the friction needed to stop your vehicle. See below for a comparison of each:
You’ll know if your vehicle uses brake pads or brake shoes depending on how this part of your vehicle looks. If it looks like the picture on the left and you see a shiny disc, then your vehicle uses brake pads. If you see a drum brake, then your vehicle uses brake shoes.
How do braking systems work?
Your vehicle’s braking system makes use of hydraulic pressure and friction to stop your wheel spinning,to halt your car.
So, how does the system do it? Let’s look at disc brakes as an example.
The overall braking system is made up of various parts aside from the brake disc itself. Parts include:
- Brake fluid
- Master Cylinder
- Caliper Assembly (multiple components)
- Pistons
- Brake Pads (2 per disc)
- Brake Disc
Brake fluid circulates inside this system, so that when you press the brake pedal, hydraulic pressure is applied. The system’s sequence operates as follows:
- You press the brake pedal.
- The caliper assembly receives high-pressure brake fluid from the master cylinder (hydraulic pressure).
- This causes each caliper to push the pistons.
- The pistons press against each brake pad.
- The brake pads are squeezed against the brake disc.
The friction from the brake pads pressing against the disc converts kinetic energy into heat energy. This decelerates the motion of your vehicle and stops the wheel from spinning.
Whilst brake pads press inwards on the brake disc, brake shoes work the opposite way and press outwards. They sit on the inside of the brake drum (while attached to a backplate assembly). When hydraulic pressure is applied, they press outwards against the drum to create friction, working to stop the car.
The benefits of brake pad and brake shoe replacement
Replacing brake pads and brake shoes when they become worn is essential for maintaining optimal braking performance and ensuring vehicle safety. Here are some key benefits of timely replacement:
Enhanced safety:
- Fresh brake pads and shoes provide better friction than old and worn alternatives, resulting in shorter stopping distances and improved control − especially during emergency braking situations.
- Worn-out brake pads and shoes can compromise braking efficiency, increasing the risk of accidents.
Preventing damage to other components:
- Timely replacement of brake pads and brake shoes prevent excessive wear on other crucial brake components such as rotors and drums. This extends your braking system’s lifespan and reduces the need for additional costly repairs down the line. Ignoring worn brake pads or shoes can compromise braking performance and risk the safety of your vehicle and passengers in a collision that could have been avoided.
Cost savings:
- Regular shoe and brake pad replacement helps avoid more significant issues that may arise from neglect, ultimately saving money on potential repairs and/or replacements of other brake system components.
Improved performance and comfort:
- New brake pads and shoes restore the responsiveness and effectiveness of the braking system, providing a smoother and more predictable driving experience.
- Reduced noise and vibrations associated with worn brake pads or shoes enhance overall driving comfort and enjoyment.
Troubleshooting brake pads vs brake shoes
Have your brakes been making squealing noises? You may be in need of new brake pads or shoes. As friction material wears over time, most brake pads and shoes have wear indicators that screech when low. If you’ve heard this sound, it might be time to replace your brake pads or shoes.
Friction material is designed to wear, therefore replacing pads and shoes is completely normal. However, it’s important to regularly inspect for wear according to your servicing schedule or you risk getting into dangerous collisions due to underperforming brakes.
Think you might need new pads or shoes? Just nip into your nearest Natrad store, where our qualified technicians can inspect, diagnose and replace brake shoes or pads.
Our range of industry-leading Nisshinbo and Mintex brakes are available from our workshops across the country. Find out more about our vehicle brake parts by contacting us today.
