Are there brake pads in the rear?
Yes. In most vehicles, rear brakes use brake pads as part of disc brake assemblies, but some cars still rely on drum brakes with shoes at the rear. The exact arrangement depends on the model, year, and braking system design.
This article explains how rear brakes work, the varieties you may encounter, how to assess wear and maintenance needs, and what to consider when buying or maintaining a vehicle.
How rear brakes contribute to stopping power
Front brakes do most of the heavy lifting during stopping, but rear brakes play a crucial role in balance, stability, and overall stopping efficiency. They help prevent the rear wheels from skidding and provide a foothold for the parking brake. In ABS-equipped vehicles, computers modulate braking force to maintain steering control across all four wheels.
Rear brake types you'll encounter
Most modern passenger cars fall into one of two categories at the rear: disc brakes or drum brakes. The choice affects wear, maintenance, and how the parking brake is implemented.
- Rear disc brakes with pads (calipers squeezing pads against a rotor).
- Rear drum brakes with shoes (brake shoes press against a drum; many of these also house the parking brake).
- Rear disc brakes with integrated parking brake (often a cable or electronic parking brake).
- Hybrid/electric setups that blend mechanical braking with regenerative braking, which can reduce pad wear.
In practice, many newer cars use rear disc brakes, while some cheaper or older models still use rear drums. The parking brake function may be separate on the rear discs or integrated into the drum/shoe arrangement.
Maintenance and replacement considerations
Rear brakes wear at a different rate than the front and require regular inspection. Symptoms of rear brake wear can include reduced braking effectiveness, unusual noises, or a soft pedal when only the rear brakes are engaged.
- Inspect pad/shoe thickness and rotor/drum condition during routine service; signs of wear or scoring indicate replacement is due.
- Typical wear ranges vary by vehicle and driving style; discs may last 30,000–70,000 miles, while pads might last 20,000–40,000 miles or more under light driving.
- Replace only the worn components that meet minimum thickness or diameter specs; in some cases, both pads and rotors need replacement for even stopping and noise reduction.
- Check the parking brake function and cable/electronics, as rear brakes often provide the parking brake action.
Regular maintenance by a qualified technician ensures even wear, proper ABS function, and safe stopping performance across all conditions.
What to know if you're buying a used car
When evaluating a used vehicle, understand the rear brake setup and wear history to estimate maintenance needs and total cost of ownership.
- Ask for the most recent brake service records, including rear pad or shoe replacement and rotor/drum resurfacing or replacement.
- Visually inspect for uneven rotor wear, scoring, or signs of drum wear; listen for grinding or scraping noises during braking.
- Test the parking brake to ensure it holds the car securely on an incline; note any drag or slack in the parking brake mechanism.
Knowing the rear brake configuration helps you anticipate maintenance costs and safety considerations before purchase.
Summary
Most cars have rear brake pads as part of a rear disc brake setup, though some use drum brakes with shoes. Rear brakes supplement front brakes to maintain balance and control, with maintenance requirements that vary by system type. Understanding whether a vehicle uses discs or drums at the rear, and how the parking brake is implemented, helps in assessing wear, planning service, and ensuring safe, reliable braking.
How much does it cost to replace a rear brake pad?
Professional Repair Costs
For professional brake pad replacement, you can expect to pay between $115 and $270 per axle, depending on the parts and labor rates. This typically includes between $35 and $150 for the brake pads themselves and around $80 to $120 for labor per axle.
Are brake pads the same front and rear?
More pressure is generally exerted on the front pads than on the rear. To compensate for this, most vehicles utilize different brake pads for the front and rear of the car. Front brake pads tend to be larger and made of more aggressive compounds for increased friction.
Do brake pads come in sets of 2 or 4?
Brake pads for a car come in a set of four, which is the correct amount to replace both wheels on one axle (either the front or the rear). Each wheel requires two pads (an inner and outer pad), so a complete set for one axle includes four pads total.
This video explains how many brake pads are on each wheel of a car: 24sWhyingoYouTube · Jun 5, 2023
- Standard sets: A "set" of brake pads for a car contains four pads for one axle (two for the left wheel and two for the right wheel).
- Front vs. rear: You will need to purchase a separate set for the front axle and another set for the rear axle if you plan to replace all four wheels.
- Motorcycles: Brake pads for motorcycles may be sold in sets of two because some have only one caliper per axle.
Does the rear have brake pads?
In most cars, each caliper has one inner pad and one outer pad. That's a total of four pads on a car with front disc brakes, and 8 on a car with front and rear brakes. New cars with electronic parking brakes often have separate parking brake calipers on the rear wheels. That's another four pads.
