Parts for your 2016 Ford Territory-Brake shoes

Brake Shoes on the 2016 Ford Territory: What You Need to Know

When it comes to the braking system on the 2016 Ford Territory, it's important to understand whether brake shoes are part of the setup or not. After referencing technical sources and workshop manuals for this particular model, it turns out that brake shoes are not used on the 2016 Ford Territory. Instead, this vehicle employs disc brakes on all four wheels, meaning brake pads and rotors take centre stage in the braking process.

So why doesn't the 2016 Ford Territory use brake shoes? Brake shoes are a key component of drum brakes, which were more common in older vehicles or on rear wheels of some modern cars as cost-saving or design choices. Drum brakes work by having brake shoes inside a rotating drum, when you press the brake pedal, the shoes press outwards against the drum's interior to slow the vehicle down. However, drum brakes typically don't perform as well as disc brakes when it comes to heat dissipation, stopping power, and overall reliability.

The 2016 Ford Territory benefits from having disc brakes all around, which is a more modern and effective braking system design. Disc brakes use brake pads pressing onto a spinning disc or rotor, providing better stopping performance, quicker heat release, and more consistent braking, especially during heavy use. This setup is more suited to an SUV like the Territory, which is designed to handle a mix of urban driving, highway cruising, and sometimes more challenging conditions.

By opting for disc brakes instead of drum brakes with brake shoes, Ford ensures the Territory delivers strong, reliable braking and is easier to service. Brake pads and rotors are usually simpler to inspect and replace compared to brake shoes inside drums, and disc brake systems are often more responsive on vehicle control and safety.

Even though the 2016 Ford Territory does not use brake shoes, understanding what brake shoes are and when they're used can be helpful for anyone interested in how braking systems work. Brake shoes are semi-circular, curved friction materials attached to a stiff backing plate. They fit inside the brake drum and are pushed outwards to create friction that slows the wheel. Over time, brake shoes wear down from constant use just like brake pads do, and will eventually need replacement to maintain proper braking performance.

If a vehicle does use brake shoes, regular servicing involves checking the thickness of the friction material on the shoes and inspecting the brake drums for any damage, scoring or warping. Additionally, hardware such as springs and adjusters need to be checked for wear and proper function, as these can influence how the brake shoes engage the drum. Failure to replace worn brake shoes can lead to reduced braking power, noisy brakes, or even damage to the brake drum itself which can be more costly to repair.

For vehicles with brake shoes, a common maintenance procedure is a brake drum service or brake shoe replacement. This can coincide with brake fluid checks and general brake system inspection to ensure everything works smoothly. Mechanics generally recommend replacing brake shoes once the friction lining becomes too thin to deliver safe braking performance, usually around 2 to 4 millimetres thickness remaining, but this varies by vehicle and driving habits.

While brake shoes aren't used on the 2016 Ford Territory, understanding that this model relies on disc brakes on all four corners helps owners appreciate the kind of maintenance needed. Disc brakes require regular checks and replacement of brake pads and rotors, which is an equally critical part of keeping the vehicle safe on the road.

In summary, if you're servicing a 2016 Ford Territory, focus on maintaining the disc brake components rather than brake shoes. Keeping an eye on brake pad thickness, rotor condition, and brake fluid quality will ensure the Territory continues to deliver reliable braking performance for years to come. Brake shoes are not part of this vehicle's braking system, so no need to worry about them when maintaining this particular SUV.