Parts for your 2000 Mitsubishi Pajero-Brake shoes

2000 Mitsubishi Pajero brake shoes — what they do and when to replace them

Brake-shoes are relevant to the 2000 Mitsubishi Pajero. Factory documentation such as the Mitsubishi Pajero NM/NP Service Manual (Group 36 – Brakes, 2000–2006) and the Mitsubishi ASA parts catalogue list a “parking brake shoe” fitted inside the rear disc rotor hat. Many 2000 models also transitioned from the earlier V20 platform, where certain variants used rear drum brakes with conventional brake shoes. Either way, the 2000 Pajero uses brake-shoes—most commonly as the handbrake (parking brake) inside the rear discs.

On a 2000 Pajero with rear discs, the service braking is handled by calipers and pads, while a small drum-in-hat mechanism uses brake-shoes to hold the vehicle when parked. Those shoes bite the inner drum surface of the rear rotors, giving reliable holding power on hills without relying on the hydraulic system. Technical guides like the Pajero/Montero Haynes manual (1997–2009 coverage) outline inspection and replacement of these shoes and their hardware.

As part of routine servicing, it’s smart to check the handbrake shoes annually or around regular brake services. If the lining is worn thin, glazed, cracked, contaminated with grease, or the hardware is tired, they won’t hold as they should. A Pajero that needs heaps of lever travel to hold on an incline, has a weak park brake, or makes scraping noises with the handbrake applied, is asking for a shoe and hardware inspection.

• Replace shoes in axle pairs and renew the fitting kit (springs/clips) if it’s rusty or fatigued.
• Clean the drum surface in the rotor hat and lightly lubricate backing plate contact points with the correct high-temperature brake grease—keep grease off the friction linings.
• Adjust the star wheel so the drum just kisses the shoes, then back off slightly, set cable free-play at the lever as specified in the service data.
• Bed-in the new shoes with a few gentle handbrake applications at low speed on a safe, flat road, then recheck the adjustment.
• If the vehicle is an earlier 2000 V20 with rear drums, inspect wheel cylinders for leaks and the drum surface for scoring while the shoes are off.

Whether touring NZ’s alpine passes or towing around Aus, a well-adjusted set of Pajero brake-shoes makes for a confident park brake and fewer dramas at inspection time.

Popular questions

Does a 2000 Mitsubishi Pajero have brake shoes or just discs?
The 2000 Pajero does have brake-shoes. Most NM/NP models use rear disc brakes for stopping, plus small internal drum shoes for the parking brake. Some late V20 vehicles still on sale in 2000 used rear drum brakes that also rely on brake shoes for service braking.

How often should the Pajero’s handbrake shoes be replaced?
There isn’t a strict kilometre figure because wear depends on use and contamination. Have them inspected during regular brake services or annually. Replace when linings are thin, glazed, cracked, oil-soaked, or when the handbrake won’t hold properly despite correct adjustment.

Can worn parking brake shoes affect normal braking?
On NM/NP models with rear discs, worn handbrake shoes generally won’t affect hydraulic braking performance, but they will reduce holding power on hills and can cause noise. On V20 Pajeros with rear drum brakes, worn shoes will affect both service braking and the handbrake.