A brake shoes replacement costs $251 to $610 in 2026
A brake shoes replacement costs $251 to $610 in 2026 for common cars, per RepairPal. Its national average is $314 to $397. Labor is about $173 to $253 and parts are about $142 to $144. YourMechanic puts the average for a Honda Civic rear brake shoe job at $188, with $48 for parts and $140 for labor. Jerry lists brake shoe parts at $100 to $250 per wheel and labor at $90 to $150 per wheel.
Brake shoes replacement cost by car
RepairPal lists these ranges for the most common cars. Your year and engine move the price inside each range.
| Car | Price, parts and labor |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $520 to $610 |
| Nissan Altima | $344 to $445 |
| Honda Accord | $352 to $432 |
| Honda Civic | $305 to $393 |
| Toyota Camry | $284 to $382 |
| Honda CR-V | $269 to $355 |
| Toyota Corolla | $259 to $338 |
| Ford F-150 | $251 to $336 |
How common cars compare
Against the middle of the RepairPal national average, $356, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 runs about 59 percent more; the Nissan Altima runs about 11 percent more; the Honda Accord runs about 10 percent more; the Honda Civic is about the national middle; the Toyota Camry runs about 6 percent less; the Honda CR-V runs about 12 percent less; the Toyota Corolla runs about 16 percent less; the Ford F-150 runs about 17 percent less. The gap comes from where the part sits, how long it takes to reach, and the price of the part for that car.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| RepairPal | National average $314 to $397. Labor is about $173 to $253 and parts are about $142 to $144. |
| YourMechanic | YourMechanic puts the average for a Honda Civic rear brake shoe job at $188, with $48 for parts and $140 for labor. |
| Jerry | Jerry lists brake shoe parts at $100 to $250 per wheel and labor at $90 to $150 per wheel. |
What pushes the quote up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Hardware kit | Springs and clips wear out too. A full hardware kit adds to the price. |
| Drum condition | A worn or scored drum needs resurfacing or a swap. That adds cost. |
| Wheel cylinders | A leaking wheel cylinder ruins new shoes. Replacing it adds parts and labor. |
| Parking brake parts | Rear shoes often link to the parking brake. Cables and adjusters may need work. |
| Car type | Trucks and vans have bigger shoes and drums. Parts cost more. |
How to tell you need it
- The brakes squeal, grind, or scrape from the rear.
- The parking brake feels loose or the pedal sinks.
- A shop pulls the drums and measures the shoe lining. They also check for leaks in the wheel cylinders.
What the price includes
The price covers new shoes on both rear wheels, labor, and a brake check. Ask if the hardware kit and drum service are included. It does not include tax, shop supply fees, or other repairs the shop finds while the car is in.
How to judge your quote
- Do you check the drums and wheel cylinders, and what do they cost to fix?
- Does the quote include the full hardware kit?
- Is the price for both rear wheels?
- Will you adjust the parking brake and check the brake fluid?
- Compare the total with the range above: $251 to $610 for most cars.
Ways to pay less
- Ask for a quote on both rear wheels, since shoes should be replaced as a pair.
- Buy shoes from a trusted parts store if your shop lets you bring parts.
- Fix shoes early. Waiting can ruin the drums.
- Compare a drum resurface price with a new drum price.
Dealer or independent shop
RepairPal puts labor for a brake shoes replacement at $173 to $253. At the typical independent shop rate of about $140 an hour, that is about 1.5 hours of work. A dealer charging $200 an hour would bill about $304 for the same labor, and a $100 an hour shop about $152. Parts cost about the same anywhere, so the shop rate is where you can save. See what mechanics charge an hour.
Why this costs more in 2026
Shop labor now runs about $100 to $250 an hour. Many car parts are imported, and freight costs went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Steel, copper, aluminum and resin prices are up too, and they go into almost every part. Brake shoes use friction material and steel backing plates, and those costs have gone up. Self-adjusting parts and cables add to the cost.
How we got these numbers
The national range, the labor and parts split and the prices by car come from RepairPal's brake shoes replacement estimate, last updated August 7, 2026. We checked them against YourMechanic and Jerry, and read every number on the source page on October 7, 2026. These are planning ranges, not quotes. Your shop's written estimate is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a brake shoe replacement cost?
RepairPal puts the national range at $314 to $397. Jerry lists parts at $100 to $250 per wheel and labor at $90 to $150 per wheel.
Can I drive with worn brake shoes?
It is not safe for long. Worn shoes make the car stop slower and can ruin the drums. Get them checked soon.
How long does it take to replace rear brake shoes?
Many shops finish both rear wheels in one to two hours.
Can I replace brake shoes myself?
Some people can. The springs and clips are small and easy to put back wrong, so many people pay a shop.