Brake Shoes vs. Brake Pads
Everybody knows that a car's brakes play a rough game. They have to slow down for every hazard, halt for every red traffic light or sign, and come to a screaming hot stop for emergencies. They protect you by stopping your vehicle in the same way proper attire and safety equipment take care of you when you play contact sports. Though they are of different sorts, adequate pads and shoes are necessary for both transportation and rough games on the field. For all your brake repair needs, count West Automotive Group in Kearny Mesa, California.
Brake Pads at a Glance
Despite their cushy-sounding name, brake pads are not at all soft. They're made of hard metal. Brake pads are found on disc brakes which operate using rotors. As you apply pressure to the brake pedal, calipers move the pads against the rotor in a squeezing action. The contact of the pads against the rotors (metal against metal) creates the friction needed to slow and stop your auto. Disc brakes are often found on newer model vehicles. Some cars, however, have disc brakes only on the front, while older style drum brakes may be found on the rear wheels.
Brake Shoes at a Glance
Brakes shoes aren't for your feet, of course. They work with drum brakes, the older style that used to be found on most passenger vehicles and is still used on the rear wheels of some models. Pressure to the brake pedal moves the metal shoes outward from their resting position and against the drum that's turning inside the wheel. The resulting friction reduces and halts the auto's motions.
Noticeable Differences
Even though both brake pads and shoes are components of your braking system and make some sort of contact in the wheel area to stop your car, there are noticeable differences between the two. Disc brakes and their related parts, such as pads, are more expensive to produce than drum brakes. Their advantage is that they offer much greater braking ability. Disc brakes afford you better control and avoidance in an emergency because you can stop in a shorter amount of time over a lesser distance.
Combined, these factors of price and performance account for the reason many vehicles have disc brakes on the front and drum brakes on the rear. This combination strikes a decent balance. Brake shoes sometimes appear to last longer than their pad counterparts, but that may be because the rear brakes where the shoes are located take less force than the front brakes. Another important difference for you is where you choose to get brake repairs. Your local reputable service provider is West Automotive Group.
