Smart/MCC Brake Shoe replacement made easy

• Mechanic will inspect the brakes and establish if there is any issues with one or several of the brake shoes.
• Mechanic will establish if the brake shoe's thickness is within the required tolerances.
• If necessary, the mechanic will replace the brake shoes.
• The mechanic will advise if other parts of the brake system need replacing too.
• Mechanic will test drive the car and inspect the brake system to ensure it is in perfect working order.
• Mechanic will make adjustments if necessary.

• When the hand brake does not work properly.
• If you hear a squealing or scraping from a rear wheel during braking.
• When the car pulls to the right or left under braking.
• When the car becomes unstable under braking.

A brake shoes replacement typically takes 1 hour, but can take less or more time. Ultimately, the time that the job will take depends on a range of factors. For example, your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

Over time, the brake shoes can wear out due to the friction that it has to endure each time you brake. Brake shoes can wear to such an extent that the rivets holding the friction plate to the rest of the shoe can get exposed. Each time you brake in this scenario the rivets can potentially score the contact surface inside the drum. This damages the brake drum as well, which would need to be replaced too to ensure effective braking.

Brake shoes replacement is not as common as brake pads as less braking force is applied to them in comparison to the front brakes. However, as the brake shoes are made of relatively soft material, it’s inevitable that, in time, they will wear away. Just like your tyres, the harder you drive and the more you use your brakes, the more often you will need to have the brake shoes changed.

The way you drive can have a significant effect on how long you can drive between two brake shoe replacements. Using common sense, driving carefully, and anticipating the hazards on the road ahead are the best ways of doing this.

The earlier you can brake when you need to slow down or stop, the less pressure you will need to apply on your foot brake, and so the less pressure you put on your brake shoes, and the more slowly they will wear.

Frequent, hard or emergency braking will always take a greater toll on the compound of your brake pads and lead to the risk that you will need to replace the brake shoes more often.

The way you drive can have a significant effect on how long you can drive between two brake shoe replacements. Using common sense, driving carefully, and anticipating the hazards on the road ahead are the best ways of doing this.

The earlier you can brake when you need to slow down or stop, the less pressure you will need to apply on your foot brake, and so the less pressure you put on your brake shoes, and the more slowly they will wear.

Frequent, hard or emergency braking will always take a greater toll on the compound of your brake pads and lead to the risk that you will need to replace the brake shoes more often.

Typical symptoms that require the brake shoes to be replaced:

• When the hand brake does not work properly
• If you hear a squealing or scraping from a rear wheel during braking
• When the car pulls to the right or left under braking
• When the car becomes unstable under braking

There is a number of steps involved in replacing the brake shoes, there are variations between manufacturers, the basics are pretty similar. Hence, changing brake shoes is a routine repair for all mechanics and can be done both kerbside as well as in the workshop, providing it is safe to do so.

Yes, many local garages are able to offer collection and delivery for a brake shoe replacement on your Smart/MCC. With ClickMechanic collection & delivery is free if your vehicle is drivable. Once booked a mechanic will pick up the vehicle on the day and time of your choice, do the work, and return the vehicle at a time convenient to you. Simply enter your vehicle registration number and postcode to get an upfront price for a brake shoe replacement on your Smart/MCC.

Yes, mobile mechanics can do a brake shoe replacement at your home or office on your Smart/MCC, provided there is a safe and sufficient space to conduct the repair or replacement. With ClickMechanic, once booked for a date and time of your choice, your booking will be offered to vetted mobile mechanics in your area.