🔧 Forester - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, take the caliper and bracket off, swap the rotor, and install new pads. The key is doing it safely, keeping the caliper supported, and making sure the parking brake (inside the rear rotor) isn’t dragging after the new rotor goes on.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the Forester on jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• 🧤 Brake dust is harmful—wear gloves and a dust mask; avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• 🔥 Brakes can be hot—let everything cool before you start.
• 🧷 Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose—support it with a hook or bungee.
• 🔒 Keep the parking brake released while removing/installing the rear rotors (the parking brake shoes live inside the rotor “hat”).

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range)
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Wire brush
• Caliper hanger hook or bungee cord
• C-clamp or brake caliper piston compressor tool
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• M8 x 1.25 bolts (2)
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner spray
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Dust mask

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit (rear) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone-based) - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and place wheel chocks in front of both front tires.
• Make sure the parking brake is fully released (important for rear rotor removal).
• Loosen the rear lug nuts about 1/2 turn using a 19mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Open the hood and remove the brake fluid reservoir cap (set it loosely on top). This helps when compressing the caliper piston.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the rear

• Lift the rear with a floor jack at the rear center jacking point, then set the vehicle on jack stands at the approved rear support points.
• Remove the rear wheels using a 19mm socket and ratchet.

Step 2: Remove the rear caliper

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed for the rear, but position yourself for easy access.
• Remove the two caliper slide bolts using a 14mm socket and ratchet.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a caliper hanger hook or bungee cord.
• Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs) when reinstalling these caliper slide bolts.
• Never let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the pads and hardware

• Pull the brake pads out of the bracket by hand.
• Remove the pad shims/clips (hardware) from the bracket using a flat-blade screwdriver.
• Clean the bracket pad “rails” with brake cleaner spray and a wire brush.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Remove the two caliper bracket bolts using a 17mm socket and breaker bar.
• Remove the bracket and set it aside.
• Torque to 88 Nm (65 ft-lbs) when reinstalling these bracket bolts.

Step 5: Remove the rotor (parking brake is inside)

• If the rotor pulls off by hand, remove it.
• If it’s stuck, thread two M8 x 1.25 bolts into the rotor’s push-off holes and tighten evenly with a ratchet until the rotor pops loose.
• If needed, tap the rotor hat lightly with a rubber mallet to break rust free.
• If the rotor won’t come off, the parking brake shoes may be holding it—double-check the parking brake is released.

Step 6: Prep the hub and install the new rotor

• Clean rust from the hub face using a wire brush, then spray with brake cleaner spray.
• Apply a very thin film of anti-seize compound to the hub face (avoid wheel studs and braking surfaces).
• Install the new rotor. Clean both rotor faces with brake cleaner spray to remove packing oil.
• If the rotor drags hard, the parking brake shoes may need adjustment (light drag is okay; heavy drag is not).

Step 7: Compress the caliper piston

• Before compressing, check the brake fluid level. If it’s near “MAX,” remove some so it won’t overflow (use a clean syringe or turkey baster—do not reuse for food).
• Use a C-clamp or brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly push the piston straight back into the caliper.
• Go slow to avoid damaging the seal.

Step 8: Install new hardware and pads

• Install new pad clips/hardware onto the bracket using your hands and a flat-blade screwdriver as needed.
• Apply a light coat of brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone-based) where the pad ears touch the clips (thin layer only).
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 9: Reinstall bracket and caliper

• Reinstall the caliper bracket using a 17mm socket and torque wrench. Torque to 88 Nm (65 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall the caliper over the new pads and install the slide bolts using a 14mm socket and torque wrench. Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).
• Make sure the brake hose is not twisted and the caliper moves smoothly on the slides.

Step 10: Reinstall wheels

• Reinstall the wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the Forester, then torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a 19mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine OFF, pump the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm. This seats the pads against the rotors.
• Check the brake fluid level and reinstall the reservoir cap securely.
• Do a slow test drive in a safe area. Verify no grinding, pulling, or burning smell.
• Pad bed-in (recommended): do 6–8 moderate stops from ~40 mph down to ~10 mph, allowing a little cooling between stops.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 25–50 miles using a torque wrench. Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $160-$380 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$470 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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