Brake pads and brake shoes perform similar roles when it comes to stopping your vehicle, but they're not the same thing. Brake pads are part of a disc brake system. When you press your brakes, they're squeezed by the calipers against the rotor disc to create the friction required to slow or stop your vehicle. Brake shoes, on the other hand, are part of a drum brake system. They're shaped like crescent, sit inside the brake drum, and have a rough material on one side. When you press your brakes in this case, the brake shoes are forced outward. This pushes them against the inside of the brake drum, which slows your momentum. Brake pads are more common on today's vehicles, as drum brakes are part of an older style of braking system. However, some vehicles have disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear.

While brake pads and brake shoes wear differently, due to their different locations, the signs of them going bad are pretty much the same. If you hear a scraping or squeaking noise when you brake, or feel as though it's taking longer to stop, then your brakes may need inspection. Fortunately, there's an easy solution when they do need replacing. Choose the original Mopar® brake pads or brake shoes that are designed to your model's specifications. They're sure to be compatible and will fit right into place straight out of the box. Our online auto parts center has a tremendous selection available for quick shipping.