Parts for your 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero-Brake shoes

1999 Mitsubishi Pajero Brake Shoes

Based on recognised technical references — including the Mitsubishi Pajero NL Workshop Manual (Brakes), Mitsubishi ASA parts catalogue, and aftermarket fitment guides from major brake manufacturers — brake shoes are indeed relevant to the 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero. Depending on trim and market, this model uses either rear drum brakes (service braking via shoes) or rear disc brakes with a small internal drum (“drum-in-hat”) that uses brake shoes for the parking brake. Either way, brake shoes feature on the rear axle of many 1999 Pajeros, especially those sold in Australia and New Zealand.

What do the brake shoes actually do? In drum-brake setups, the shoes press outward against the drum to slow the vehicle. On disc-brake rear ends, a dedicated pair of small shoes sits inside the hat of the rear rotor and locks the vehicle when the handbrake is applied. This design is tough, reliable in mud and water, and gives confident parking on hills — exactly what a Pajero owner expects in the bush or on the beach.

Good servicing habits make a big difference. Inspect rear brake shoes at regular service intervals (or roughly every 20,000 km), and always as an axle set. For drum rears, check shoe lining condition, wheel cylinders for leaks, self-adjusters for free movement, and springs/retainers for fatigue. For disc rears with drum-in-hat, inspect the shoe linings, the rotor’s internal drum surface, the lever and cables, and ensure the shoe-to-drum clearance is set correctly. Adjust the handbrake cable only after the shoe clearance is set.

Common signs it’s time to act include:

• Excessive handbrake lever travel or poor holding on a hill
• Scraping or grinding from the rear, especially at low speed
• Uneven or inconsistent handbrake bite left vs right

When replacing, clean out dust and grit (common after water crossings), lightly lubricate backing plate shoe contact points with high-temp brake grease, and renew hardware springs if they’ve lost tension. If drums are fitted, measure drum diameter and replace or machine only within spec, for disc models, check the hat drum surface and rotor thickness. After fitment, bed the shoes in with a series of gentle parking-brake applications at low speed, then recheck adjustment. Quality, correctly arced shoes will deliver a firmer handbrake, better off-road control, and longer life.

Popular questions about 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero brake shoes

Do 1999 Pajeros have brake shoes or just pads?
Many 1999 Pajeros run rear discs with a small internal drum, so they have both: pads for normal braking and shoes for the parking brake. Some variants use rear drums, where the shoes handle the service braking and the handbrake.

How often should brake shoes be replaced?
There’s no fixed kilometre figure — wear depends on use. Parking-brake shoes on disc models can last a long time if kept clean and adjusted, while drum rears may wear faster with towing or off-road work. Inspect every service and replace when worn, contaminated, cracked, or if adjustment runs out.

Can the Pajero’s handbrake shoes be adjusted?
Yes. The shoe-to-drum clearance is adjusted first at the rear brakes, then the handbrake cable is set to achieve the correct lever travel. If the adjusters are seized or the shoes are worn, proper adjustment won’t hold — service or replacement is needed.