In essence, a brake shoe is a crucial component of a drum brake system that functionally slows a vehicle when the driver steps on the brake pedal. This is accomplished by converting a vehicle’s kinetic energy into thermal energy through contact friction. This decrease in kinetic energy effectively slows the vehicle’s momentum, thus providing the braking action that drivers are familiar with.
In terms of placement, brake shoes are installed inside of a drum brake system and are forced into a braking position through hydraulic pressure when the driver steps on the brake pedal. This, in turn, engages the dense brake drum, which itself slows down a vehicle’s momentum. Typically, brake shoes are found on a vehicle’s rear wheels and also include a mechanism to allow for mechanical engagement by way of an emergency/parking brake.
A brake shoe kit includes two crescent-shaped components that are usually made from steel and a friction-resilient lining, which itself can be made of both organic materials (such as cashew nut shells) and inorganic materials (such as graphite). As a result of their constant exposure to friction, brake shoes are prone to wear down in time and provide less reliable performance overall (much like the sole of an athletic shoe).
Semi-truck brake shoes operate in much the same fashion and take on the same general form and composition as their smaller cousins in passenger vehicles. Of course, heavy-duty brake shoes are purpose-built and include extra reinforcement to remain resilient and reliable after repeated applications in slowing multi-ton trucks. For more information on brake shoes or our other high-quality, heavy-duty truck parts, contact a member of the MaxiTrucks team today!
