Usually they are positioned on the rear axle and undertake a much lower proportion of the braking work.

Brake pads are placed inside a caliper which surrounds the brake disc and brake shoes are placed inside the brake drum.īrake shoes typically last much longer than brake pads. The main differences between brake pads and brake shoes are:īrake pads and brake shoes are positioned differently in their braking system.

What are the differences between brake pads and brake shoes? As well as being less expensive to manufacture, drum brake systems can be more effective as a parking brake than disc brakes. Brake shoes are often used for the rear axle, especially as most modern cars brake more sharply on their front wheels, so the temperatures the rear brakes need to handle aren’t so high. The kinetic energy is dissipated as heat. This creates friction between the lining and drum, causing the car to brake. When the driver applies the brake, a wheel cylinder in the drum brake system forces the brake shoe outward, against the inside of the drum. They are a curved piece of metal, with a friction material fixed to one side. As the disc has a relatively quick cooling time, this type of brake offers a better stopping performance than drum brakes. The friction material layer becomes thinner over time, as a result of usage and eventually the brake pads need to be replaced.īrake shoes carry the brake lining inside brake drum systems. The energy released from stopping your car’s motion is converted into waste heat, which has to be dispersed. The fluid moves down the brake lines where it forces the caliper to squeeze a pair of brake pads against a brake disc. This pushes against the master cylinder, which is basically a piston surrounded by brake fluid.

The driver operates the disc brake system by pushing his foot down on the brake pedal.

What are brake pads?įound in disc brake systems, brake pads are a flat piece of steel with a thick friction material layer on one side. This friction material type varies, depending on vehicle type and size and brake caliper type. While they both carry out a similar function, they operate in different types of braking systems and have different advantages (and disadvantages). So, it makes sense to know a bit more about them, starting with: what’s the difference between brake pads and brake shoes?įirst of all, are brake pads and brake shoes the same? The short answer is no. We often take our brakes for granted – especially when they’re working as we expect and keeping us and other road users around us safe.

Brake pad system