What is the difference between brake pads and brake shoes?

Brake pads and brake shoes do the same job of creating friction to stop your car, but they belong to different systems. Brake pads are used in disc brakes, where they squeeze against a flat spinning rotor, and they are found on the front of nearly all modern vehicles and often the rear too. Brake shoes are used in drum brakes, where they press outward against the inside of a spinning drum, and they are most common on the rear wheels of older or economy vehicles. Many cars use discs in front and drums in back. Drum brakes also handle the parking brake on some vehicles. Knowing which system your car uses helps you understand service needs and costs. At Motoro Cars, our free brake inspection covers pads, shoes, rotors, and drums. Our ASE-certified techs in Wynwood and Doral can help. Call Wynwood at (786) 634-2002 or Doral at (786) 633-3220.