brake drum

Drum brakes slow your vehicle through friction generated inside a rotating metal drum. When you press the brake pedal, hydraulic pressure from the wheel cylinder pushes curved brake shoes outward against the inner surface of the spinning drum. That friction converts kinetic energy into heat, slowing the wheel. When you release the pedal, return springs pull the shoes back away from the drum. A self-adjuster mechanism maintains the correct shoe-to-drum clearance as the shoes wear over time. Drum brakes are most commonly found on rear axles of passenger cars, minivans, light trucks, and entry-level SUVs, where they handle a smaller share of total braking force and serve double duty as the parking brake mechanism.

Drum Brake Components

A complete drum brake assembly is made up of several individual parts — each available separately or as part of a kit at PartsBlue. The brake drum itself is the rotating iron housing the shoes press against, absorbing and dissipating braking heat. Brake shoes are curved friction pads lined with friction material that press outward against the drum’s inner surface. The wheel cylinder is the hydraulic actuator that pushes the shoes outward when brake pressure is applied. Return springs pull the shoes back from the drum when the pedal is released, preventing constant drag and heat buildup. The self-adjuster is a mechanical ratchet mechanism that automatically takes up the clearance between the shoe and drum as friction material wears, keeping pedal feel consistent. Hold-down springs and pins anchor each shoe to the backing plate while allowing the outward movement needed for braking. The parking brake lever and strut connect the emergency brake cable to the rear shoe so the brake can be applied mechanically, independent of the hydraulic system. The backing plate is the fixed steel plate all components mount to, bolted to the axle flange or steering knuckle.

Always replace the drum brake hardware kit — springs, pins, and adjusters — whenever fitting new brake shoes. Springs lose tension over time, especially in Canadian conditions where salt and moisture accelerate metal fatigue. Worn hardware is the leading cause of brake noise, self-adjuster failure, and uneven shoe wear after a drum brake service.

Drum Brakes vs. Disc Brakes

Disc brakes dominate the front axle of virtually every modern vehicle because of their superior stopping power, faster heat dissipation, and more consistent wet-weather performance. Drum brakes remain common on rear axles of passenger cars, light trucks, and vans where braking loads are lower and cost efficiency matters. Drum brakes offer three advantages that keep them relevant: they cost significantly less to manufacture and replace, their shoe mechanism doubles as an integrated parking brake without additional hardware, and brake drums last considerably longer than disc rotors — typically 150,000–200,000 km versus 60,000–100,000 km for rotors.

The main disadvantage of drum brakes in the Canadian context is their enclosed design. Unlike open disc brakes that shed moisture and dry out quickly, drum brake assemblies trap salt-laden water and hold it against metal surfaces. In Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes, this routinely causes corroded wheel cylinders, seized self-adjusters, rusted return springs, and brake drums that grip the hub flange so tightly after winter exposure that a brake drum puller is the only way to remove them. Annual inspection and lubrication of drum brake components is one of the most important maintenance tasks for Canadian drivers running rear drums.

Drum Brake Specifications That Matter

When ordering replacement drum brake parts, these specifications determine safe fitment and proper performance:

• Drum diameter and width — Must match your vehicle’s OEM specification exactly. Confirm by year, make, model, and axle position. Drums worn or bored beyond their maximum serviceable diameter — stamped on the drum face — must be replaced, not resurfaced.
• Minimum thickness and maximum diameter (discard spec) — Stamped on the drum. A drum at or beyond this specification lacks sufficient metal to absorb braking heat safely and must be replaced immediately, regardless of surface condition.
• Brake shoe arc length and lining width — Shoes must match the drum’s inner radius and lining width exactly. Mismatched shoes make only partial contact with the drum, causing uneven wear, reduced stopping power, and persistent brake noise.
• Friction material compound — Most OEM-replacement shoes use non-asbestos organic (NAO) or semi-metallic compounds. Semi-metallic shoes provide better cold-weather bite and heat tolerance, making them the preferred choice for Canadian trucks, vans, and vehicles used for towing or in hilly terrain.
• Wheel cylinder bore size — Must match the OEM specification for correct hydraulic pressure output. An undersized or oversized bore delivers the wrong clamping force to the shoes, causing brake imbalance, uneven wear, or a spongy pedal.
• Complete kit vs. individual parts — A drum brake kit includes drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, springs, and hardware matched to your vehicle. Kits are the most reliable approach for a full service. Individual parts are appropriate when only one component has failed and the rest of the assembly is still serviceable.

How to Remove and Replace Drum Brakes

Drum brake replacement is more involved than a disc brake job but manageable for an experienced DIYer with the right tools. You’ll need a socket set, brake drum puller, spring removal and installation tool, needle-nose pliers, brake cleaner spray, brake caliper grease, and a torque wrench.

The brake drum puller is particularly important for Canadian vehicles. Road salt bonds the drum flange to the hub over a winter season, and no amount of hammering will free a badly seized drum without damaging it. A drum puller threads into the drum’s pilot holes and applies even mechanical force to break the corrosion bond cleanly. Before disassembly, photograph the entire drum brake assembly from both sides. Drum brakes involve more springs, levers, and clips than disc brakes, and a reference photo prevents reassembly errors. Work one side at a time and keep the opposite wheel’s assembly intact as a reference for spring placement and shoe orientation.

After installation, adjust the self-adjuster so the shoes are close to but not touching the drum before bolting the drum back on. This ensures a firm pedal on the first brake application. Bed in new shoes with 8 to 10 moderate stops from 50 km/h, allowing cooldown between each stop, before relying on full braking performance.

Why Buy Drum Brake Parts from PartsBlue?

• Canadian catalogue built for Canadian vehicles — We stock drum brake parts for the specific makes and models common on Canadian roads, including vehicles with rear drums that are well stocked locally but often harder to source from US-based competitors.
• Complete kits and individual parts — Order a full drum brake kit for a one-box rear axle job, or source individual drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, and hardware for a targeted repair. Both options are stocked for most applications.
• Fitment guaranteed — Every drum, shoe set, wheel cylinder, and kit is matched to your exact year, make, and model. Use our vehicle selector and order with confidence.
• Trusted brands — Raybestos, Wagner, ACDelco, Carlson, Centric, Dorman, and more. OEM-quality parts from manufacturers Canadian drivers and shops have relied on for decades.
• Fast coast-to-coast shipping — Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax — your drum brake parts ship from our Canadian warehouse with no cross-border delays and no surprise duties.
• Competitive pricing — Drum brake parts are already among the most affordable brake repairs. PartsBlue pricing makes them even more accessible, whether you’re a DIYer or a shop sourcing parts for a customer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drum Brakes

What is the drum brake?

A drum brake is a braking system where curved friction pads called brake shoes press outward against the inside of a rotating metal drum to slow the wheel. Drum brakes are commonly found on rear axles of passenger cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. They also serve as the parking brake on most vehicles, since the shoe mechanism can be engaged mechanically via a cable, independent of the hydraulic system.

Which is better, disc or drum brakes?

Disc brakes deliver superior stopping power, faster heat dissipation, and more consistent wet-weather performance, which is why they handle the front axle on virtually every modern vehicle. Drum brakes are still effective for rear-axle use where braking loads are lower, cost less to manufacture and replace, and integrate naturally with the parking brake system. Neither is universally better — they serve different roles in the same braking system, and most vehicles use both.

How much does it cost to replace drum brakes on a car?

Parts only, a complete rear drum brake kit (both sides) runs $80–$200 CAD. Installed at an independent Canadian shop, expect $200–$450 CAD per axle including labour. Individual components cost less: a single brake drum runs $40–$100 CAD, a shoe set per axle costs $30–$80 CAD, and a wheel cylinder is $20–$60 CAD each. Buying parts from PartsBlue reduces total cost significantly compared to dealer pricing.

What is the main advantage of drum brakes?

Three main advantages keep drum brakes relevant: lower cost due to their simpler design, a fully integrated parking brake that requires no additional hardware, and longer service life — brake drums typically last 150,000–200,000 km compared to 60,000–100,000 km for disc rotors. These characteristics make drum brakes a cost-effective and practical choice for rear axles where maximum braking performance is not required.

What is a disadvantage of a drum brake?

The enclosed design traps heat and moisture, which reduces performance under sustained hard braking and significantly increases corrosion risk — a serious issue for Canadian drivers in salt-belt provinces. Drum brakes are also more complex to service than disc brakes, with more springs, levers, and adjusters involved. Drums frequently seize to the hub flange after winter salt exposure, requiring a brake drum puller for safe removal.

What cars still use drum brakes?

Many entry-level and mid-range vehicles still use rear drum brakes. Common examples include the Toyota Corolla in base trim levels, older-generation Honda Civics, the Chevrolet Spark, Nissan Micra, Mitsubishi Mirage, and most light trucks and cargo vans at the rear axle. If you’re unsure whether your vehicle has rear drums or rear discs, look through the rear wheel spokes — a drum brake vehicle shows a round bowl-shaped drum rather than a visible rotor and caliper.

How long do drum brakes last?

Brake drums typically last 150,000–200,000 km under normal driving conditions, considerably longer than disc rotors. Brake shoes last 80,000–150,000 km depending on driving habits, vehicle weight, and terrain. In Canadian salt-belt provinces, corrosion often limits component life before wear does — wheel cylinders may need replacement at 80,000–100,000 km due to seal degradation from moisture and salt contamination.

Do drum brakes use pads?

No. Drum brakes use brake shoes, not brake pads. Brake shoes are curved friction components that press outward against the inside of the drum. Brake pads are flat components used in disc brake systems that clamp against a rotor. The two are completely different parts and are not interchangeable. If your vehicle has rear drum brakes, you need brake shoes for the rear axle, not pads.

What are the signs of bad drum brakes?

The most common warning signs are a grinding or scraping noise from the rear wheels when braking, which usually means the shoe friction material has worn through to the metal backing. Other signs include the vehicle pulling to one side under braking, a spongy or low brake pedal indicating a leaking wheel cylinder, increased stopping distance, a loose or ineffective parking brake, and visible rust, pitting, or scoring on the drum surface during a visual inspection.

Are drum brakes safe in snow?

Yes. Drum brakes perform reliably in Canadian snow and cold conditions. Their enclosed design actually provides some protection against snow and ice packing into the friction surfaces, though the same enclosure retains moisture that accelerates salt corrosion. With properly adjusted shoes, fresh hardware, and functional wheel cylinders, rear drum brakes deliver consistent stopping performance through Canadian winters. ABS and electronic brake-force distribution on modern vehicles further compensate for any performance difference compared to four-wheel disc setups.

What is the 30/30/30 rule for brakes?

The 30/30/30 rule is a bedding-in procedure recommended after installing new brake shoes or pads. Accelerate to 30 mph (50 km/h), make 30 moderate stops, and allow 30 seconds of slow rolling between each stop without coming to a complete standstill. For drum brakes, this process deposits a uniform layer of friction material on the drum surface and helps the curved shoes conform fully to the drum’s inner radius, improving performance and reducing break-in wear.

What is the most expensive part of the brakes?

Within a drum brake system, the wheel cylinder is the most repair-intensive individual component at $20–$60 CAD per cylinder plus labour. Across the entire vehicle braking system, brake calipers at $250–$600+ CAD installed and the ABS control module at $800–$2,000+ CAD including programming are the most expensive repairs. Drum brake components overall are among the most affordable brake parts to replace, which is one of the system’s enduring strengths.