gearhead zen

"webmonkees" (kayoteq-of-the-forest) 05/22/2015 at 01:55 • Filed to: questions you nether thought asked but do, keep oppo informed

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“Why does there have to be brakes on all the wheels?”

-neighbor, upon being informed they needed to have both the front and rear disc brake shoes pads.. maybe?

So.. there is a nugget of mystery, since all my cars have the perpetual rear drum brakes that rarely wear out...

Does a modern ABS 4 wheel disc brake system wear evenly or is it still mostly the fronts? Either way, there’s too many systems I’m unfamiliar with to confidently offer to do a brake job. If the shop’s a gouger, though, we’ll just roll it down the hill to the driveway and I’ll take it on. 2002 Chevy Imapla, how hard could it be?

CRider > webmonkees 05/22/2015 at 02:26

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What’s this about rear brake life?

webmonkees > CRider 05/22/2015 at 03:28

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Not quite the same mechanism. With FWD it’s more like towing a trailer that’s part of the car and keeps it from tipping over.

-The original hybrid concept. Electric car, diesel engine for pushing it if the batteries run out.

McMike > webmonkees 05/22/2015 at 05:51

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150K on Mrs McMikes car, and I have never taken the rear drums off.

I keep adjusting the parking brake, and there’s adjustment left. Brake still holds. Let it ride.

The last time I did rear brakes on a car (Mini) was when I lost a wheel cylinder and had to replace the saturated shoes. Did the other side while I was at it.

Oppo, how long do your rear brakes last?

Mattbob > webmonkees 05/22/2015 at 06:10

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-no such thing as disk brake shoes. They are pads.

-In modern brakes, the fronts still provide most of the braking force, so I would imagine they still wear faster.

-A 2002 impala? It’s probably pretty damned easy, what are these systems you are unfamiliar with?

LongbowMkII > webmonkees 05/22/2015 at 07:17

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Did brakes on my mom’s 04 Impala, completely straight forward.

webmonkees > Mattbob 05/22/2015 at 09:37

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Thanks, that’s what I meant, I do have a Beetle so my vocabulary is a bit anachronistic.

Forgot this is GM. The parking brake shoe for the rear discs. Not in stock. Not seen it before.

Protip: hang it over your doorway to bring good luck from the Impala spirit animal.

Now as to ‘why am I not doing this’, my excuse is that I’m unfamiliar with their car, they are unfamiliar with their car, and there may be a few things under the wheelwell that might be stuck/broken and this is their only car. It’s not had the brakes worked on since they bought it, apparently at a salvage auction. (predented)

However, I would feel comfortable with changing both the brakes and the hubs, if all the systems are “normal” except for wear. Will discuss with neighbor. At least the shop is literally across the street.

Mattbob > webmonkees 05/22/2015 at 10:54

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is that the parking brake shoe??? One piece? Does it just flex open? I am baffled, but at the same time it looks a hell of a lot easier to replace than the spring contraption I just replaced on my car.

webmonkees > Mattbob 05/22/2015 at 11:03

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its all new to me as well. I had wondered how the ebrakes worked with 4 wheel discs.. an actual redundant system. sorta.

Mattbob > webmonkees 05/22/2015 at 11:21

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on 4 wheel disk, it is either a drum in hat style like the one you posted, or a screw type that just has a mechanical redundant actuation device on the caliper for the parking brake. I believe Ford tends to use the second style.

webmonkees > webmonkees 05/23/2015 at 01:16

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Okay, neighbor is done, all 4 rotors needed turning, brake pads are on. Next time they wear out I could change them. They could. It’s just that the car is new to them relatively and a bit rattled about from the total it experienced with the prior owner before the insurance company..

Just too many potential failures lying in wait so I wanted the guy with the rack and the experience to have this round. Thanks, though, I nearly went for it, but they had an appointment.