🔧 Outback - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Your Outback’s rear brake pads wear down over time and need replacement to keep braking strong and quiet. On this model, the rear calipers may use an electronic parking brake (EPB), so you must retract the rear caliper piston the correct way before installing new pads.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat, level surface and use jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• Chock the front wheels so the car cannot roll.
• If equipped with EPB (electronic parking brake), do not force the rear piston with a clamp unless the EPB is in service mode or mechanically retracted.
• Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor.
• Brake dust and cleaner are hazardous—wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves.

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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
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range)
• Flat trim tool
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush
• Brake piston rewind tool kit (specialty)
• Torx bit set (T25-T40)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Small catch pan
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty)

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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
• Brake caliper grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2 Only if worn or scored

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the steering wheel straight, and set the transmission to P.
• Release the parking brake (EPB switch OFF) before lifting the rear.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level; if it’s near MAX, be ready to remove a little fluid into a small catch pan when compressing pistons.
• Assumption: Your Outback has rear EPB calipers; steps below include both EPB retraction methods.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Place wheel chocks at the front tires.
• Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the rear lug nuts 1/2 turn.
• Lift the rear with a floor jack and support it with jack stands at the approved rear lift points.
• Remove the wheels with a 19mm socket.

Step 2: Put the EPB in service mode (preferred method)

• Connect a scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty).
• Command rear parking brake to maintenance/service mode so the caliper piston can retract safely.
• Service mode prevents EPB motor damage.

Step 3: If you do NOT have a scan tool, mechanically retract the EPB (alternate method)

• Locate the EPB motor on the rear caliper.
• Unplug the motor electrical connector using a flat trim tool (gentle pry on the lock tab).
• Remove the EPB motor fasteners using the correct Torx bit from your Torx bit set (T25-T40).
• Set the motor aside carefully; do not pull on the wiring.
• Use the brake piston rewind tool kit (specialty) to rotate/retract the caliper mechanism as needed.
• Do not use a C-clamp to “force” it.

Step 4: Remove the caliper and old pads

• Remove the caliper slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket.
• Lift the caliper off the rotor and hang it from the suspension with a brake caliper hanger hook.
• Pull the old pads and hardware clips out of the bracket by hand or with needle-nose pliers.
• Clean the bracket pad “rails” using brake cleaner spray and a wire brush.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket (if needed for rotor replacement or better access)

• Remove the caliper bracket bolts using a 17mm socket and breaker bar.
• Reinstall bracket later and Torque to 80 Nm (59 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Retract the rear caliper piston

• Use the brake piston rewind tool kit (specialty) to retract the piston until it bottoms smoothly.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while retracting; remove excess fluid into a small catch pan if it rises too high.
• Slow and steady prevents seal damage.

Step 7: Service the slide pins and install new hardware

• Pull the slide pins out of the bracket by hand.
• Wipe them clean and apply a thin coat of brake caliper grease (silicone).
• Install the new hardware clips from the rear brake pad hardware kit into the bracket.

Step 8: Install the new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Install the new pads into the bracket (make sure they slide freely in the clips).
• Set the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall/initialize the EPB

• If you removed the EPB motor, reinstall it using the correct Torx bit from your Torx bit set (T25-T40) and reconnect the electrical plug.
• If you used a scan tool, exit EPB service mode with the scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty).
• Cycle the EPB switch on/off once to confirm normal operation.

Step 10: Reinstall wheels

• Install the wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts.
• Lower the car from the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench.
• Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal 10-15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pads).
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test the EPB operation and verify no warning lights remain.
• Do a careful test drive: low-speed stops first, then normal braking.
• Pad bedding (recommended): 6-10 moderate stops from 30-40 mph with cool-down between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $300-$550 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $70-$200 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$350 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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