Repair Lane

Drum Brake Shoe Replacement

Worn rear drum brake shoes are replaced with new ones, the hardware refreshed, and the brakes adjusted so the rear of the car pulls its weight when stopping.

Difficulty: moderate~1.52.5 hrs2–3 hours
Estimated total
$210–590
Parts$40–150
Labor$170–440
Labor time1.52.5 hrs
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What's involved

What this repair actually is.

Many cars and vans use drum brakes on the rear axle: curved shoes press outward against a spinning drum to slow the car. We remove the drums, replace the worn shoes and worn springs or hardware, check the wheel cylinders for leaks, adjust the shoes, and road-test. Fresh shoes restore rear braking and a proper parking brake.

Symptoms

How you can tell.

  • Scraping or grinding from the rear wheels
  • Parking brake needs to be pulled way up to hold
  • Rear brakes grabbing or locking easily
  • Squeal from the rear when braking
  • Failed inspection for thin rear brake shoes
If you delay

Worn-through shoes score the drums and shift more braking to the front, lengthening stops and wearing the front brakes faster.

Educational estimate. Real pricing depends on your vehicle, the inspection, parts availability, taxes, and shop rates. Use this as a guide while you shop quotes.
Related

Often done together.