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When do I know the drum brake is at the end of life and needs replacement?

5 min read

Asked by: Robert Staniszewski

How do you know when drum brakes need replacing?

How to Tell If Your Drum Brakes Need to Be Serviced

  1. The back of the car shakes or pulls to one side when applying the brakes.
  2. The brake pedal vibrates or feels soft.
  3. The parking brake feels loose or doesn’t hold the car in place.
  4. The brakes grind or squeal when applied.


How often do drum brakes need to be replaced?

between 150,,000 miles

Drum brakes are generally expected to last between 150,,000 miles with proper care and maintenance. Their brake shoes generally need to be replaced about every 30,000 to 40,000 miles. Of course, the conditions your vehicle is exposed to over time will have an impact on drum brakes’ wear, too.

How do you test drum brake life?

Quote from video: If the reading is outside the manufacturers specification the drums will either need to be machined or replaced reassemble the drum break and repeat the procedure for the other drum brake. Assemblies.

How much does it cost to replace brake drums?

between $275 and $399

The average brake drum replacement cost averages between $275 and $399 depending on the type of the vehicle you have the type of repair shop you’re taking your vehicle to.

What does a warped brake drum sound like?

Thumping Brakes



A thumping sound while braking, usually coming from the front wheels, which do the majority of your braking — can indicate that your brake rotors have gone “out of shape.” In other words, they’ve become warped.

How many miles should rear brake shoes last?

around 35,000 miles

The brake shoes on your car are designed to last around 35,000 miles, but in some cases they will not make it that far. There are a variety of things that can lead to increased wear on a set of brake shoes, like damaged hardware or warped brake drums.

How do I know if my rear brake shoes are bad?

Abnormal noises are one of the first symptoms that are produced when brake shoes are starting to go out. Excessively worn or dusty brake shoes will produce abnormal noises. For example, excessively worn brake shoes may produce a scraping sound, while dusty or dirty brake shoes may produce a squeak.

How do you know when your rear brakes are bad?

Signs You Need New Brake Pads

  1. You hear a squealing noise. Picture this: You’re out driving with the radio off and the windows rolled up. …
  2. You hear a clicking noise. …
  3. Bringing the car to a stop takes more time than it used to. …
  4. The nose of your car pulls to one side when you brake. …
  5. The brake pedal vibrates when pressed.


How do I know if my front or rear brakes are bad?

Front or Rear?

  1. While driving, slowly brake and listen out for noise.
  2. Repeat this step, this time using your emergency brake.
  3. If you hear a noise while braking normally, it’s likely that the issue is with your front brakes. If you hear a noise while using the emergency brake, then it’s the rear.


How do you know if your drum brakes are warped?

If you notice your steering wheel or brake pedal wobble when you apply the brakes to slow down or stop, chances are your rotors are warped. If the warp isn’t too bad, you might not really notice the shaking. If the warp is serious, you’ll definitely feel the vibration.

Is it normal for drum brakes to make noise?

When it comes to drum brakes, the most common cause of screeching and squealing is worn out shoes. Other causes can be from improper adjustment or contact with the axel backing plate.

What do brakes sound like when they need replaced?

When you press on the brake pedal, your brakes should bring your car to a noise-free stop. So if you are hearing sounds, like screeching, squealing or grinding, this is a common sign that your brakes are in need of attention. Here’s a closer look at that high-pitched screeching sound.

How do you know when brake shoes are going bad?

Abnormal noises are one of the first symptoms that are produced when brake shoes are starting to go out. Excessively worn or dusty brake shoes will produce abnormal noises. For example, excessively worn brake shoes may produce a scraping sound, while dusty or dirty brake shoes may produce a squeak.

Do brake drums need to be resurfaced?

Drums should always be resurfaced in pairs. Never do one drum and not the other because differences in diameter can affect side-to-side brake balance. The inside diameters of both drums should be within .

Why do drum brakes make noise?

When it comes to drum brakes, the most common cause of screeching and squealing is worn out shoes. Other causes can be from improper adjustment or contact with the axel backing plate.

What do brakes sound like when they need replaced?

When you press on the brake pedal, your brakes should bring your car to a noise-free stop. So if you are hearing sounds, like screeching, squealing or grinding, this is a common sign that your brakes are in need of attention. Here’s a closer look at that high-pitched screeching sound.

How do you stop squeaky drum brakes?

Lack of lubrication on drum backing plate: In a drum brake system, the shoes and drum mount to a backing plate. If the backing plate isn’t lubricated at the shoe contact pads, you may hear a squealing noise. Solution: Remove the drum and shoes and lubricate the backing plate.