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Brake Pads and Shoes
Brake pads and shoes are critical components of your vehicle's braking system that serve different roles. Brake pads are a part of the disc brake systems, primarily on the front wheels, where they clamp onto a rotor to create the friction needed to stop the vehicle. On the other hand, brake shoes are in drum brake systems, often on rear wheels, where they press outward against a rotating drum to slow the vehicle. Both brake pads and shoes require regular inspection and replacement so you can stay safe and quickly stop to avoid accidents.
If you're unsure of which part needs replacement or which one your vehicle model needs, reach out to Advance Auto's expert team. We offer a variety of brake pads and shoes — from ceramic to metallic — that may suit any vehicle. In particular, we store brands from Carquest and Bosch to Autopart Internation, just to name a few. We can also advise installing them so you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars paying your dealership to install the parts.
We can also deliver the part directly to your home, providing convenience when you need it the most. If you need help with your brake pad or shoes, call Advance Auto Parts today!
Your vehicle may often make squealing noises, take longer to stop or start shaking when you brake. You can check them yourself—if the pad is less than ¼ inches thick, you'll need to replace it.
Ceramic pads are quieter and are often used for most standard vehicles; however, they are more expensive. Metallic pads are made for heavy-duty use and may produce brake dust and create more noise.
Although your vehicle can run with worn brake pads, it won't be as safe because it will have longer stopping distances. This means that you could increase your chances of getting in an accident when you need to stop abruptly.
Often, you can replace just one brake pad or shoe; however, to maintain balanced driving and braking, you will have to replace them in pairs. For example, if the front brake pad on the driver's side needs replacement, you'll also need to replace the passenger brake pad. However, you won't need to replace the rear brake pads.
A vehicle with new brake pads and shoes is often safer, as they have a shorter stopping distance since they can stop quicker. They can also optimize the performance of other vehicle parts, such as the rotor, which can often be more costly to replace.
At Advance Auto Parts, you can buy brake pads from $50 to $80. These costs may vary depending on the material of the brake pad and shoe, as well as the vehicle model. If you have a newer or higher-end model, brake pads made explicitly for the model may cost more but often endure longer than a standard brake pad and shoe.
Although Advance Auto Parts doesn't offer installation services for brake pads or shoes, our expert staff can answer any questions you may have about installing these parts.
Over time, worn pads result in metal-to-metal contact that can warp or groove the rotors, another essential part of your braking system. If you let your brake pads and shoe wear down enough, you'll have to replace more of your braking system to ensure your safety.
Yes, front brakes often wear faster than their rear counterparts. This is because the front brakes have more weight to handle than the rear brakes, accommodating the driver and the engine bay.
Yes, you can extend the life of your brake pads and shoes by reducing weight in the front of the car, planning around rough terrain, wiping the dust off the rotors, avoiding speeding and abrupt stopping, and making slow turns. In addition, driving in adverse weather conditions frequently can wear down your brake pads faster. Although you can't always avoid these actions, such as abruptly braking to avoid an accident or driving in adverse weather conditions, thinking of these actions will often ensure your brake pads and shoes last longer.