Brake shoes are integral to drum braking systems. They’re the high-friction elements that slow down the vehicle and hold it in position when parked.
Brake shoes for sale in South Africa
Masterparts stocks a range of Stone brake shoes suitable for a wide variety of vehicle makes. Our braking components are performance tested and manufactured from OE quality materials.
All our brake shoes carry the coveted E-Mark certification and have also been approved by the NRCS (The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications) for importation into South Africa.
What does a brake shoe do?
A brake shoe plays a similar role to a brake pad in disc braking systems. It’s a curved piece of metal with abrasive, friction material fitted to one side.
When the brake pedal is depressed inside the car, the shoe is forced outward against the rotating brake drum. This creates the friction required to stop the vehicle.
Similarly, when the hand brake is engaged, the brake shoes fitted on the rear axle lock into place to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards or forwards.
The difference between brake shoes and brake pads
Although brake shoes and brake pads perform the same role in a vehicle, they’re designed for different braking systems.
As a result, there are disparities in relation to the positioning, stopping power and longevity of brake shoes versus brake pads.
Positioning: Brake shoes are fitted inside the brake drum. The brake force is pushed outwards against the drum, forcing the high-friction shoe material to stop the wheel.
Brake pads are inserted inside a calliper that surrounds the brake disc. When the pedal is engaged, the calliper containing the frictional pads clamps the wheel to stop the rotation.
Stopping power: Brake shoes use more force to stop a car than brake pads. The brake response is consequently slower.
Longevity: Due to the fact that brake shoes are fitted to the rear axle and perform significantly less braking, they have a longer life expectancy than brake pads.
When to replace brake shoes
Brake shoes are designed to last around 55,000 kilometres.
The signs of worn or dusty brake shoes are:
- scratching or squeaking sounds when the brake pedal is depressed or released
- a slack or ineffective hand brake
- a delayed braking response.
Where to get brake shoes from Masterparts
Brake shoes in and around Cape Town:
Brake shoes in KwaZulu-Natal:
Brake shoes in Namibia:
Masterparts stocks a comprehensive range of high-quality brake shoes for almost all vehicle models – old and new – on our roads. Contact us if there’s a part you need and we’ll be happy to help.
