A pre-packaged set of components that make up the braking mechanism at a single wheel. For drum brakes, this typically includes the backing plate, wheel cylinder, shoes, springs, and adjusters. Buying the complete assembly saves labor time compared to rebuilding individual, heavily rusted components on the bench.
Heard on the job
We're better off ordering the whole rear brake assembly because those backing plates are rotted out.
Insider tip
Swapping a loaded backing plate assembly is often cheaper for the customer in labor than paying a tech to clean and rebuild a heavily corroded drum setup.
Also heard as
- loaded backing plate