🔧 Outback - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Outback means removing the rear wheels, retracting the electronic parking brake system correctly, swapping the pads, and reassembling the calipers. This job is very doable for a careful beginner, but the electronic parking brake must be placed into service mode before the calipers are removed.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Your Outback uses an electronic parking brake, also called EPB, which is a motorized parking brake built into the rear caliper system.
• ⚠️ Do not twist, pry, or force the rear caliper piston back unless the EPB is in service mode.
• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and support the vehicle with jack stands before putting any body part near the wheel area.
• ⚠️ Never rely on a floor jack alone; it can slowly drop or tip.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Wear safety glasses and gloves, and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not normally required, but keep the ignition off after EPB service mode is set.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• OBD-II scan tool with Subaru EPB service mode function (specialty)
• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 14mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 17mm wrench
• Disc brake caliper spreader tool
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Small wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Outback on level ground and leave the transmission in Park.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• 🔌 Use an OBD-II scan tool with Subaru EPB service mode. A scan tool is a handheld device that connects under the dash and commands vehicle modules safely.
• 🅿️ Use the scan tool menu to enter rear brake service mode: EPB / Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode / Service Mode > Start.
• 🔇 Listen for the rear parking brake motors to retract, then turn the ignition off.
• 🧴 Open the brake fluid reservoir cap only if fluid level is near the top. Cover painted areas with a shop towel because brake fluid damages paint.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Set the EPB Service Mode

• Plug the OBD-II scan tool with Subaru EPB service mode function into the diagnostic port under the driver side dash.
• Turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Use the scan tool and select EPB / Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode / Service Mode > Start.
• Wait until the scan tool confirms service mode is complete.
• Turn the ignition off and remove the key or keep the fob away from the start button.
• Do this before lifting the vehicle.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about one turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.

Step 3: Lift and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack at the rear center jacking point or approved side jacking point.
• Raise the rear of your Outback high enough to remove the wheels.
• Place jack stands under the approved rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Give the vehicle a small push by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.
• Keep lug nuts together in a cup.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper Bolts

• Locate the rear brake caliper. It is the clamp-shaped part around the brake rotor.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• If the slide pin spins, hold the pin with the 17mm wrench while loosening the bolt with the 14mm socket.
• Do not disconnect the brake hose.

Step 6: Lift the Caliper Off the Pads

• Use the flat-blade screwdriver gently between the caliper and outer pad if the caliper is tight.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Rest the caliper on the suspension carefully so the brake hose is not stretched or kinked.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Pads and Hardware

• Pull the old inner and outer brake pads out of the bracket by hand.
• Use the flat-blade screwdriver to remove the old stainless pad clips from the caliper bracket.
• Use the small wire brush to clean the bracket surfaces where the clips sit.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner spray and wipe it with shop towels.

Step 8: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Check that the EPB is still in service mode before pushing the piston in.
• Use the disc brake caliper spreader tool to slowly press the caliper piston straight back into the caliper bore.
• A caliper piston is the round metal part that pushes the brake pad against the rotor.
• Go slowly and watch the brake fluid reservoir so it does not overflow.
• Do not twist the piston.

Step 9: Install the New Pad Hardware

• Install the new rear brake pad hardware kit clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use a small amount of brake lubricant on the metal contact points where the pad ears slide in the clips.
• Do not get lubricant on the brake pad friction material or rotor face.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new rear brake pad set into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads move smoothly in the clips.
• If a pad is tight, remove it and clean the bracket again with the small wire brush.
• Pads should slide, not jam.

Step 11: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Carefully place the caliper over the new pads.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to start both caliper slide pin bolts by hand first.
• If the slide pin spins, hold it with the 17mm wrench.
• Use the 3/8-inch drive torque wrench and 14mm socket to tighten the caliper slide pin bolts to Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Use the same tools and steps on the opposite rear brake.
• Always replace rear brake pads in pairs so braking stays even.

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Put each rear wheel back on the hub by hand.
• Install the lug nuts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 14: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Outback fully to the ground.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 19mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Exit EPB Service Mode

• Turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Use the OBD-II scan tool with Subaru EPB service mode function and select EPB / Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode / Service Mode > End.
• Wait for the parking brake motors to initialize.
• Cycle the parking brake switch on and off once to confirm normal operation.

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✅ After Repair

• 🦶 Before driving, press the brake pedal slowly 5-10 times until it feels firm. This seats the caliper pistons against the new pads.
• 🧴 Check the brake fluid level and reinstall the reservoir cap if removed.
• 🅿️ Test the electronic parking brake switch. Confirm it applies and releases normally.
• 🔍 Look behind both rear wheels for brake fluid leaks or loose hardware.
• 🚗 Perform a slow test drive in a safe area. Make several gentle stops first.
• 🛑 Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety. This helps the new pads bed in smoothly.
• 🔩 Recheck lug nut torque after your first short drive: Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$120 (parts only)

You Save: $130-$330 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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