🔧 Outback - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

On your Outback, the rear pads wear down over time and need replacement to keep braking safe and quiet. The key on this model is dealing with the electronic parking brake (EPB) correctly so you don’t damage the rear calipers.

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

Assumption: your Outback has an electronic parking brake (EPB).

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the Outback with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ If equipped with EPB, do not push the rear piston in until EPB is in service mode (or retracted with a scan tool).
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful; avoid blowing it with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Keep the ignition OFF while working unless a scan tool procedure requires ON.

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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
• Lug nut socket 19mm
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Ratchet 3/8"
• Socket 14mm
• Socket 17mm
• Torque wrench 10–200 Nm
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Flat trim tool
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• 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 (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant (silicone or ceramic) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, put the shifter in Park, and chock the front wheels.
• Release the parking brake fully before lifting the vehicle.
• If you have a scan tool that supports Subaru EPB service mode, get it ready now. (Service mode retracts the parking brake motors so the caliper piston can compress safely.)
• Loosen rear lug nuts 1/2 turn with a 19mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Retract the electronic parking brake (EPB)

• Connect your scan tool (capable EPB function) and follow its EPB procedure to retract the rear parking brake motors.
• Keep the parking brake switch untouched while the calipers are off.
• If no EPB tool, stop to avoid damage.

Step 2: Lift the rear and remove the wheels

• Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and support with jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the rear wheels using a 19mm socket.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper (slide bolts)

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed; access is from the rear.
• Remove the two caliper slide bolts using a 14mm socket.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord so it doesn’t pull on the brake hose.

Step 4: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the old pads out of the bracket by hand (use a flat trim tool if they’re stuck).
• Remove the pad hardware clips from the bracket.
• Clean the bracket pad “lands” (where the clips sit) using a wire brush and brake cleaner spray.

Step 5: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Check the brake fluid level before compressing; remove a little if the reservoir is very full.
• Use a brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty) to push the piston straight back into the caliper slowly.
• Make sure the piston boot (rubber dust seal) folds in smoothly and does not twist.

Step 6: Install new hardware and pads

• Install the new hardware clips onto the bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin film of brake lubricant (silicone or ceramic) where the pad ears touch the clips.
• Install the new pads into the bracket.
• Do not grease the pad friction material.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Install and tighten the caliper slide bolts using a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 8: If you removed the caliper bracket (only if needed)

• If pads/rotor clearance required bracket removal, remove/install the two bracket bolts using a 17mm socket.
• Torque to 90 Nm (66 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall wheels

• Reinstall the wheels and snug lug nuts using a 19mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle and torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Exit EPB service mode and restore brake pedal

• Use the scan tool to exit EPB service mode (this re-engages the parking brake motors).
• With the vehicle OFF, pump the brake pedal 10–20 times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the Outback and confirm the brake warning lights are off.
• Test the parking brake function on a safe, flat area.
• Do a careful low-speed brake test (5–15 mph) to confirm normal stopping and no grinding.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid repeated hard stops unless needed for safety.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $70-$180 (parts only)

You Save: $180-$480 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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