Drum Brakes

Does your car pull to one side when braking, or is there a metallic scraping from the rear wheels? That can be a sign of worn shoes or a leaking wheel cylinder. In this category we bring together the parts for drum brakes – drums, brake shoes, wheel cylinders and hardware – for you who want to overhaul your brakes with individual parts or a complete kit.

How the drum brake parts work together

When you press the pedal, the wheel cylinder pushes the brake shoes out against the inside of the rotating drum. Springs, hold-down pins and the adjuster mechanism return the shoes and maintain the correct clearance. Many cars have drums at the rear and discs at the front, and on some models the handbrake also works via the drum. Parts for the front axle are found under disc brakes, and the rest of the braking system under brake systems.

How to choose brake shoes, drums and kits

Fitment for the specific car and axle is crucial. Check in particular:

• the drum diameter and wear limit, which is typically stamped into the drum
• the width of the shoes and their compatibility with the handbrake mechanism
• the wheel cylinder diameter and its connection to the brake line
• whether springs and hardware are included or must be purchased separately

A complete kit combines several parts in one package, e.g. PowerStop's Autospecialty Drum Kits for the rear axle of models including the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2WD. If the drum is within the wear limit, new brake shoes alone may be enough, e.g. from BikeMaster. Other brands in the category include DFC, OMIX and Brembo OE.

Installation, adjustment and approval

Replace shoes and drums in pairs on the same axle so the braking force is distributed evenly, and ideally replace the springs at the same time, as they can lose tension with age and heat. After installation, the shoes must be adjusted. A long pedal can be caused by misadjusted shoes, while a soft pedal can be caused by air in the system or boiling brake fluid. Prolonged overheating can also cause braking performance to drop. Whether a part is approved for road use depends on the product and the car, so check e.g. E-mark or R90 for the specific part number.

Frequently asked questions

When should the brake drum be replaced, and not just the shoes?

When the drum is worn beyond the wear limit typically stamped into it, or has deep grooves, cracks or has become oval. If it is within specification, new shoes can often be fitted on their own.

Should the wheel cylinder be replaced together with the brake shoes?

Not necessarily, but check it for leaks. Brake fluid under the dust boots indicates a leaking cylinder, and the fluid can contaminate the shoes and reduce braking performance.

Why does one side brake harder than the other?

It can be caused by uneven adjustment, a seized wheel cylinder, contaminated shoes or uneven drum wear. That is why shoes and drums should be replaced in pairs and adjusted equally on both sides.

Are drum brake parts approved for vehicle inspection?

It depends on the specific product and your car. Check for the individual part number whether the part has the necessary approval, e.g. E-mark or R90, and that it matches your car's specifications.