🔧 Legacy - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

You’ll remove the rear calipers, swap the old pads for new ones, and then restore the parking brake system. On your Legacy, the rear brakes may use an electronic parking brake (EPB), which must be put into service/maintenance mode before you push the caliper piston back in.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground, chock the front wheels, and support the car on jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ If your Legacy has an electronic parking brake switch, you must retract/disable it (service mode) before compressing the rear caliper pistons.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor (the piston can pop out).
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful—use brake cleaner, not compressed air, and wear a mask.
• ⚠️ Watch brake fluid level; pushing pistons in can overflow the reservoir.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm socket
• 1/2" breaker bar
• 1/2" torque wrench (20–150 ft-lbs range)
• 14mm socket
• 3/8" ratchet
• Small flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• 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 pad hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Silicone brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3 or DOT 4) - Qty: 1 bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, shift to Park, and chock both front wheels.
• 🔍 Check the rear parking brake type:
  • If you have a console EPB button/switch, you must use EPB service/maintenance mode (steps below include it).
  • If you have a mechanical foot parking brake, you can skip the EPB service-mode steps.
• 🧴 Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir. If it’s near “MAX,” use a clean syringe/turkey baster (or carefully absorb with a clean towel) to remove a little fluid so it won’t overflow when pistons are pushed in.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the parking brake in service/maintenance mode (if equipped)

• Use the owner’s manual to locate the EPB service/maintenance mode procedure for your Legacy’s EPB system.
• If you have access to a scan tool capable of EPB service functions, use it to command Rear EPB > Maintenance/Pad Replacement Mode. This is the safest, most reliable method.
• Confirm the EPB releases and stays released before continuing.

Step 2: Loosen lug nuts and raise the rear

• Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel’s lug nuts about 1/2 turn while the car is on the ground.
• Lift the rear using the floor jack at the proper rear jack point, then support with jack stands.
• Remove the lug nuts with the 19mm socket and take off both rear wheels.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper (pads are inside)

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed (rear), but position yourself for clear access.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts (upper and lower).
• Lift the caliper off the rotor and hang it from the suspension using a bungee cord (never let it hang by the brake hose).

Step 4: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the inner and outer brake pads out by hand. If they’re stuck, gently pry with a small flathead screwdriver.
• Remove the pad hardware clips from the bracket (if your new pads/hardware kit includes replacements).
• Use a wire brush to clean the pad “shelves” on the bracket where the clips sit.
• Spray everything with brake cleaner spray and let it dry.

Step 5: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Before pushing the piston in, make sure the EPB is in service/maintenance mode (if equipped).
• Use a brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly press the piston straight back into the caliper until it bottoms.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir as you compress; remove excess if it starts to rise too high.

Step 6: Install new hardware and pads

• Install new hardware clips onto the bracket by hand (match positions side-to-side).
• Apply a thin layer of silicone brake grease where the pad ears contact the hardware clips. Keep grease off pad friction material.
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket. They should slide smoothly (not forced).

Step 7: Reinstall caliper and torque bolts

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the caliper slide pin bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the caliper slide pin bolts: Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 3 through 7 on the opposite rear side.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and lower the car

• Reinstall both rear wheels and hand-thread all lug nuts.
• Lower the car off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Use a torque wrench and 19mm socket to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern: Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Exit EPB service/maintenance mode (if equipped)

• Use your scan tool to command the EPB back to normal mode, or follow the EPB exit procedure from the owner’s manual.
• Confirm the EPB applies and releases normally.

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✅ After Repair

• 🦶 With the car on the ground, press the brake pedal slowly 10–15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pads against the rotors).
• 🔎 Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 or DOT 4 only if needed.
• 🧪 Test at low speed first: confirm normal braking, no grinding, and that the EPB applies/releases correctly.
• 🛣️ Pad bed-in (break-in): make 6–8 moderate stops from ~60 km/h to 15 km/h, driving a minute between stops to cool slightly. Avoid hard panic stops for the first 200 km.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹6,000-₹12,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹2,500-₹6,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹3,500-₹6,000 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run ₹1,000-₹2,500/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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