Parts for your 2013 Toyota Avensis-Brake shoes

2013 Toyota Avensis brake-shoes: what they do and when to replace them

Based on technical sources, brake-shoes are relevant to the 2013 Toyota Avensis. Toyota’s European service information (TIS) for the T27 Avensis (2009–2018) details a rear disc rotor with an integrated drum (“drum-in-hat”) that uses mechanical parking brake shoes. Toyota’s Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) lists a parking brake shoe kit for T27 models with rear discs, and aftermarket catalogues from ATE, TRW and Blue Print also supply “parking brake shoe sets” for 2009–2018 Avensis. Workshop guides such as Haynes for Avensis (2009–2015) describe inspection and adjustment of these shoes. In short, your 2013 Avensis uses brake-shoes for the handbrake/parking brake.

On this Avensis, the service brakes are discs and pads at the front and rear, while the parking brake relies on a small set of drum-style shoes inside the rear disc hats. Their job is simple but important: hold the car steady on hills, keep it parked safely, and pass that WoF check without a drama. Because they only work when the handbrake is applied, they usually wear more slowly than brake pads—but they can still glaze, seize, delaminate or go out of adjustment over time.

Good servicing practice is to inspect the parking brake shoes whenever the rear discs are off, or at least every 30,000–40,000 km, sooner if the handbrake feels weak or the lever travel increases. A light deglaze of the linings and drum surface, cleaning out dust, and lubricating the shoe pivots and backing plate contact points with high-temp brake grease helps keep things sweet. Adjustment should be done at the shoe star-wheel first, then at the cable if needed, so the lever bites firmly by the specified number of clicks without dragging.

• Tell-tales it’s time for attention:
  • Excessive lever travel or a handbrake that won’t hold on an incline
  • Grinding, scraping, or a ringing noise from the rear when parking brake is applied
  • Uneven hold on a roller brake tester at WoF
• Replacement tips:
  • Replace shoes as an axle set with new springs/fitment hardware
  • Inspect the drum surface inside the rear discs, replace discs if the drum is scored or out of spec
  • Bed-in the new shoes with gentle applications so they seat evenly

Look after the Avensis’ brake-shoes and the handbrake stays strong, reliable, and ready for any steep driveway around Aotearoa or Oz.

FAQs

How long do the parking brake shoes last on a 2013 Avensis?
For many drivers they can last well over 100,000 km because they’re only used when parked. Cars that regularly park on steep hills or drive through a lot of road grime may need them sooner. Inspect at each rear brake service.

Can weak handbrake performance be fixed with just an adjustment?
Often, yes—properly setting the shoe star-wheel can sharpen the bite. If the linings are glazed, contaminated, cracked, or the hardware is tired, adjustment alone won’t cut it and replacement is the go.

Do I need to replace the rear discs when changing the shoes?
Not always. Check the condition and drum inner diameter inside the disc hat. If the drum surface is scored, rust-pitted, or beyond spec, fit new rear discs to give the new shoes a proper mating surface.