Parts for your 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer-Brake shoes

2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Brake Shoes – What They Do and When to Replace

Brake shoes are relevant to many 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer variants. Technical sources including the Mitsubishi Lancer CJ/CF Workshop Manual (Group 36 – Brakes), the Mitsubishi ASA electronic parts catalogue, and Australian parts application guides (Bendix/Protex/DBA) show two factory setups for this model year: base and mid‑spec trims commonly use rear drum brakes with service brake shoes, higher trims with rear discs generally do not use service brake shoes, while performance variants (Ralliart/Evolution) run a small “drum‑in‑hat” parking brake that does use dedicated parking brake shoes.

Where fitted, the Lancer’s rear brake shoes sit inside a drum and press outwards to slow the wheel. They’re robust, low‑maintenance, and deliver strong holding power for the handbrake, which is handy for hill starts and day‑to‑day commuting. Compared with discs, shoes tend to wear more slowly but still need periodic inspection and adjustment to keep pedal feel and parking brake performance crisp.

Signs the shoes are due for attention include longer brake pedal travel, a weak handbrake that won’t hold on an incline, scraping or grinding noises from the rear, or a pull to one side under braking. Technicians typically inspect shoe lining thickness at service, replacement is recommended when friction material approaches roughly 1.5–2.0 mm or if there’s glazing, cracking, oil contamination, or heat spots on the drum.

• Service tip: inspect rear drums/shoes every 15,000–20,000 km, or at each scheduled service if the car sees heavy city use.
• Replace shoes in axle pairs, and renew hold‑down springs and adjusters if tired or rusty to avoid uneven braking.
• After fitting, adjust the star wheel so the drum just clears, then fine‑tune the handbrake cable. Bed the shoes in with gentle stops over the first 200–300 km.
• If the vehicle has rear discs without a drum‑in‑hat, it won’t use brake shoes for service or parking, the handbrake operates the rear caliper instead.

Not sure which setup the car has? A quick look through the rear wheel spokes will tell: if there’s a drum, it uses shoes, if there’s a disc and the trim isn’t Ralliart/Evo, it’s likely caliper‑actuated with no shoes. Always support the vehicle safely and follow the workshop manual for torque specs and procedures.

Popular questions

Does a 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer use rear brake shoes or pads?
It depends on the trim. Many ES/LS‑type models run rear drum brakes with service brake shoes. Higher trims with rear discs use pads, and most of those use a caliper‑actuated handbrake (no shoes), while Ralliart/Evo variants use small parking brake shoes inside the rear rotor hat.

How often should rear brake shoes be replaced?
There’s no fixed kilometre count because it depends on driving style and terrain. As a guide, inspect every 15,000–20,000 km and replace when lining thickness is around 1.5–2.0 mm, or earlier if there’s glazing, noise, or contamination. Many Lancers see 80,000–160,000 km from a set under mixed driving.

What are the symptoms of worn or out‑of‑adjustment brake shoes?
Common symptoms include a long brake pedal, poor handbrake hold on hills, scraping or grinding from the rear, or pulsation due to drum hot spots. If any of these show up, it’s time for an inspection and adjustment or replacement.