So, just recently did my brakes and rotors.

I was driving around with the windows down, and I hear some mild to loud scratching noises out of the rear right side. I also noticed the parking brake had totally lost it's grip.

Take the brake caliper apart.. all seems fine. I take the rotor off.. and a whole bunch of small black pieces come crumbling out. The parking brake shoe had pretty much disintegrated!

 

Yikes ... How many miles on your car? And how often do you actually use the parking brake?

I usually park on level surfaces and rarely use mine (esp with an automatic). In the winter time / cold months I use it more frequently but mostly to ensure that nothing seizes / freezes.

 

Car is at 49k miles right now.

I typically use the parking brake... well, whenever I park. The driveway in front of my house is on an incline, so always used there. Been doing that in all our cars. (All automatics)

The parking brake handle felt really stiff (which I took as a good thing) when I put the new rotors on. Really felt like the parking brakes were gripping how they were supposed to. However I don't think the brake shoes took well to that.