New Jersey Air Brakes Practice Test

When brakes are applied, what do the brake shoes press against?

1. Brake rotor

2. Brake pad

3. Brake drum or disc

4. Brake cable

The correct answer is: Brake drum or disc

When brakes are applied, the brake shoes press against the brake drum or disc, which is essential for stopping the vehicle. In drum brake systems, the brake shoes are positioned inside the drum, and when the brakes are activated, they expand outward to press against the inner surface of the drum, creating the friction necessary to slow down or stop the vehicle. Conversely, in disc brake systems, the brake pads (which are the actual components in direct contact with the disc) are pressed against the rotor, aka the disc, to achieve the same effect. Thus, the brake drum or disc is the critical component that the brake shoes interact with to provide effective braking.