🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Replacement

Your rear pads are a wear item, so replacement restores braking performance and helps prevent rotor damage. On your Outback, the rear service is straightforward, but you must handle the parking brake correctly before compressing the caliper piston.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Use jack stands. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• If your Outback has an electronic parking brake, put it in service mode before retracting the rear calipers. Electronic parking brake means the rear brake motor releases the parking brake for service.
• If your Outback has a manual parking brake, fully release it before removing the rear wheels.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air.
• Battery disconnect is not required for a standard pad replacement.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp or disc brake piston tool
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Bungee cord or mechanic's wire
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• 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
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can
• High-temperature brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake if it is manual. If equipped with an electronic parking brake, keep it released for wheel removal and use service mode before piston retraction.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• Raise the rear and support it securely on jack stands.
• If equipped with electronic parking brake: use the vehicle's brake service mode before starting. Menu > Settings > Vehicle > Brake Maintenance Mode may vary by trim; if unavailable, use the parking brake service procedure from the dash controls.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the rear wheel

• Use a 19mm socket to loosen and remove the lug nuts.
• Remove the wheel and set it aside.
• Keep the lug nuts in a clean tray.

Step 2: Inspect the caliper and hardware

• Look at the caliper, rotor, and pad hardware for rust or uneven wear.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver only if needed to gently free the pad ears from rust buildup.
• If the rotor is deeply scored, plan on rotor replacement too.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Support it with a bungee cord or mechanic's wire; do not let it hang by the hose.
• Torque for slide pin bolts on reassembly: 34 N·m (25 ft-lbs)

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Remove the old inner and outer pads from the bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and any shims if the new kit includes replacements.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the pad contact points.
• Clean contact points prevent pad squeaks.

Step 5: Retract the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp or disc brake piston tool to slowly compress the piston.
• If your Outback has an electronic parking brake, make sure service mode is active before compressing.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston so it does not overflow.

Step 6: Install new hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips from the brake hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of high-temperature brake grease to pad contact points only.
• Install the new inner and outer pads in the bracket.
• Make sure the pads sit flat and move freely.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper back over the new pads.
• Use the 14mm socket to reinstall the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 34 N·m (25 ft-lbs)

Step 8: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on.
• Use a 19mm socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Lower the vehicle and torque the lug nuts to 120 N·m (89 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the pads on the opposite rear wheel the same way.
• Replace brake pads in pairs so both rear wheels wear evenly.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm before moving the vehicle.
• If equipped with electronic parking brake, exit service mode after the repair.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test at low speed first. Listen for rubbing or clicking.
• For new pads, do several gentle stops to bed them in.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $60-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $190-$310 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1-2 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.