So I've got my rear brakes apart to make room for some bushing swaps (rotors removed), and noticed that my parking brake shoes (98 GS) look rather thin, like maybe 1/4" thickness. So I'm wondering, while I'm in here, would it be prudent to replace them?

I mean they're only used to hold the car in place. How thick are they new? And how thick do they really need to be? The car is almost 15 years old, 200k on the clock, and I'll probably drive it another 2-3 years. Should I just keep adjusting them, or drop the $100 or so to replace them since I'm already in there?

I don't want to spend the money if I don't NEED to, but I don't cut corners on maintenance either.

 

They dont come that thick to begin with. If you adjust the parking brake properly, and it holds the car, then dont worry about it. As long as the shoes are in good condition (not cracked or broken), and they have 1/4" of pad, material.. i say leave it alone.

 

Cool, thanks!!!

 

1/4" of pad material should be plenty.

 

yea you dont really use your drum pads besides for ebrake.. UNLESS however you have driving the car with the Ebrake on.. smoking them.

 

good idea, yea you dont really use your drum pads besides for ebrake. thanks for your sharing.