Parts for your 2006 Toyota Highlander-Brake shoes

2006 Toyota Highlander brake shoes: what they do and when to replace them

Based on Toyota’s factory documentation and parts catalogues, brake shoes are indeed used on the 2006 Toyota Highlander (also known as Kluger in Australia and New Zealand). Toyota’s Repair Manual for the 2004–2007 Highlander/Kluger describes a “drum-in-disc” (drum-in-hat) parking brake, and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue lists a parking brake shoe kit for this model. That means the vehicle brakes with pads on front and rear discs for normal stopping, while a small set of drum-style brake shoes inside the rear rotor hats is dedicated to the park brake.

On this Highlander, the brake shoes aren’t part of the everyday hydraulic braking—they’re there so the park brake (handbrake) can hold the SUV securely when parked. The shoes expand inside the little drum section of the rear rotors, gripping mechanically via the lever or pedal. It’s a robust setup, keeps the parking function independent of the hydraulic system, and resists fade when the vehicle’s hot from a long drive.

As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to have the parking brake shoes inspected and adjusted. Over time the linings wear, hardware springs lose tension, and the star-wheel adjuster can drift. Tell-tales include too many lever clicks, poor holding on a hill, scraping or grinding from the rear when the park brake is applied, or a stubborn drag after release.

• Inspection: check lining thickness, glazing, cracking, oil/grease contamination, and the condition of return springs and the adjuster.
• Adjustment: set the star wheel so there’s a light, even drag with the rotor on, then back it off slightly. Aim for a firm lever feel with a sensible number of clicks.
• Replacement: fit shoes in axle pairs, clean the drum surface inside the rotor hat, and replace tired hardware. Avoid touching the friction material with greasy hands.

If new shoes are fitted, a gentle bed-in helps: at low speed, apply the park brake lightly a few times to mate the linings to the drum surface—nothing aggressive. For longevity, keep an eye on any rear axle seal leaks that could contaminate the linings, and use the park brake regularly so the mechanism stays free and the self-adjustment remains effective.

Does a 2006 Toyota Highlander have brake shoes or pads?

It has both. Pads handle the normal disc braking at each corner, while small drum-style brake shoes live inside the rear rotors to operate the parking brake.

How often should the parking brake shoes be replaced?

There’s no fixed kilometre interval—replace them when worn, contaminated, cracked, or if they won’t adjust properly. A quick inspection during routine brake services (or roughly every 20,000–30,000 km) is a good shout.

What are the signs the parking brake shoes need attention?

Excess lever clicks, weak holding on an incline, scraping noises with the park brake applied, or rear wheel drag after release. Any of those warrants an inspection and likely an adjust, clean, or new shoes and hardware.