What are Rear Drum Brakes and Brake Shoes?
An older but still common style of rear brake that uses shoes inside a metal drum.
Simplified animation — not to scale.
In plain English
A drum brake uses a hollow metal drum that spins with the wheel. Inside sit two curved friction "shoes" that press outwards against the drum to slow the car. Many smaller and older cars still use drum brakes at the rear and discs at the front.
"Like pressing the inside of a saucepan with two curved scrubbing pads to slow it down as it spins."
How it works
When you press the pedal, hydraulic fluid pushes a small wheel cylinder that forces the shoes outwards. Friction between the shoes and the inside of the drum slows the wheel. The handbrake usually pulls these same shoes against the drum mechanically.
Signs of trouble
- ⚠Squealing, scraping or grinding from the back wheels
- ⚠Handbrake travelling much further before holding
- ⚠Handbrake not holding the car on a slope
- ⚠Brake fluid leak behind the back wheel
- ⚠A pulse or judder through the pedal when braking gently
£120 – £350 per axle fitted
Always get a written quote. Prices vary by car, region, and parts brand.