Any real difference in rear brake shoes?

[FusilliJerry82]

In a car where they barely do anything? The existing shoes are at about 60% and I suspect they're original at 190k+.

Should I buy cheapie Monroe's for $11.84 on Rock Auto or is there a better choice?

 

[HTSS_TR]

If the remaining rear brake shoes is more than 20-30%, I would not replace it.

 

[jorton]

The Ford revised rear brake shoe for my 99 f150 was really different. They were $110 but they worked. Linings were a dark charcoal color and there was a deep wide groove around the middle of the lining.

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
If the remaining rear brake shoes is more than 20-30%, I would not replace it.

+1. If they're still at 60% why do you want to replace them? The ones you have on there are probably better than any $11 set you can buy.

 

[mechtech2]

Rear drum brakes wear slower than the front discs, but only 1/2-1/3 as fast.
Yours may not be operating properly for various reasons. Often, stock adjusters leave too much slack and they brakes don't engage in normal light braking. This should not be so.
I outsmarted the factory on my rear drums, and have great braking with no drag.
shoe type? Sure, there are differences. Cheap ones may not allow the drums to fit [too large], and otherwise may not be arced properly. Material is of course varied. I have seen ratings on them like pads have [EE,EF,FF, etc].

 

[artificialist]

It can't remember how many times I see cheap drum shoes develop cracks around the rivets. On non-riveted brake shoes, I often see the friction material peel off the backing plate in one piece.

Also, cheap brake shoes don't always fit properly because the company puts on an additional layer of paint.

If you have that many miles on your brakes, just rebuild them. Too often at that mileage, I see a job that must be done over because something failed halfway in the life of the brake shoe.

 

[JTK]

This is on your ~12yr/old Mazda?

Like said, after that many PA winters, the star-wheel adjusters are probably rusted solid and the wheel cylinders are shot. Removing the shoes will most likely result in broken clips and springs as well, so your best bet is to order the drum brake hardware kit ahead of time if you plan on tearing into it.

Joel

 

[Jeff_in_VABch]

In most vehicles all of your brake pedal feel will come from the rear brakes.

A lack of drum brake adjustment or any air will cause a soft pedal or one that travels an excessive amount before the brakes engage.

If you have 60% pad left and have a brake issue, bleed and adjust the brakes. It makes a big difference.

 

[FusilliJerry82]

They're properly adjusted. The main reason I want to do this is I believe the one rear hub bearing is going and I figure I might as well do the works.