Parts for your 2017 Ford Fiesta-Brake shoes

Brake Shoes and the 2017 Ford Fiesta: What You Need to Know

When it comes to the braking system of the 2017 Ford Fiesta, brake shoes are not part of the setup. This might come as a surprise for some, especially if you're familiar with older vehicles or certain types of cars that relied heavily on brake shoes. But the 2017 Ford Fiesta uses disc brakes on all four wheels, which means brake pads, not brake shoes, are doing the job of slowing the car down.

So why aren't brake shoes used on the 2017 Ford Fiesta? Well, it mostly comes down to the evolution of vehicle technology. Brake shoes are traditionally found in drum brake systems. Drum brakes work by pushing brake shoes outwards against the inside of a spinning drum connected to the wheel. This was a very common setup, particularly on rear wheels of older or more budget-friendly cars because drum brakes were cheap and simple to manufacture.

However, modern cars like the 2017 Ford Fiesta benefit from disc brakes, which offer better performance, especially in wet conditions. Disc brakes use calipers to squeeze brake pads directly onto a disc (or rotor) attached to the wheel. This design is superior because it dissipates heat more effectively, provides stronger stopping power, and is easier to inspect and replace.

With disc brakes in play on all four wheels of the 2017 Ford Fiesta, brake shoes are simply not relevant. The rear brakes also use discs, moving away entirely from the older drum-and-shoe setup. This shift is typical for small hatchbacks in recent years, prioritising safety, efficiency, and maintenance ease.

Even though brake shoes don't feature on a 2017 Ford Fiesta, it's helpful to understand their role in case someone encounters the term or works on different vehicles. Brake shoes consist of a curved piece of metal lined with friction material. When you press the brake pedal, the shoes are forced outward against the inside of the brake drum, converting kinetic energy into heat to slow down the car. Over time, that friction material wears down just like brake pads on discs.

In vehicles still running drum brakes, replacing brake shoes is an essential part of regular brake maintenance. Worn brake shoes can lead to reduced braking efficiency, noises like squealing or scraping, and ultimately unsafe driving conditions. Many mechanics recommend checking brake shoes at every service interval if drum brakes are present. Sometimes, replacement is needed every 40,000 to 65,000 kilometres, though it depends on driving style and local conditions.

For those curious about maintaining the 2017 Ford Fiesta's actual braking components, the spotlight falls on brake pads, rotors, and calipers instead. Pads get regularly inspected for thickness, and rotors should be checked for warping and wear. Proper brake fluid levels and condition are important too, since old fluid can affect overall brake performance.

On the practical side, servicing the brakes of a 2017 Ford Fiesta is pretty straightforward. Since it uses disc brakes front and rear, mechanics can easily inspect and replace brake pads without the hassle of removing a brake drum. This convenience often leads to faster turnaround times at the workshop and less downtime for drivers.

One more thing to keep in mind is that from a safety perspective, using disc brakes on all corners, like the Fiesta, helps with balanced braking and better control. Drum brakes can sometimes have issues with unequal braking force between wheels, which the disc brake design reduces.

All up, while brake shoes have been a trusty component in many cars historically, they are not part of the 2017 Ford Fiesta's braking system. Instead, the car opts for full disc brakes, providing efficient, reliable stopping power suited to modern driving demands. Keeping those disc brakes serviced will ensure your Fiesta continues to handle safely and smoothly on the road.