🔧 Outback - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

On your Outback, the rear brake pads clamp the rotors to slow the vehicle. Replacing pads and rotors restores braking performance and prevents vibration, noise, and uneven wear.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2.0-3.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and chock the front wheels before lifting.
• ⚠️ Your Outback uses an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). Do not push the rear caliper pistons in unless the EPB is in service/maintenance mode.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Brake dust and cleaner are hazardous—wear safety glasses and gloves.
• ⚠️ If you unplug EPB motors, keep ignition OFF and disconnect the negative battery terminal.

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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
• 21mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (20–150 ft-lbs range)
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Flathead screwdriver
• Bungee cord
• Brake caliper piston compressor (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner spray
• Disposable shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Scan tool with Subaru 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 rotors - Qty: 2
• Rear pad hardware/clip kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone or synthetic) - Qty: 1
• Brake quiet compound (optional) - Qty: 1
• DOT 3 brake fluid (as needed for top-off) - Qty: 1 bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the ignition OFF, and make sure the EPB is released before lifting.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir; if it’s near “MAX,” remove a little with a clean syringe so it won’t overflow when pistons are pushed back.
• Plan your EPB service mode method before you start: use a scan tool with Subaru EPB service mode (specialty). This retracts the EPB so the piston can be compressed safely.
• Do one side at a time to use the other as reference.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the EPB into service/maintenance mode

• Connect your scan tool with Subaru EPB service mode (specialty) to the OBD-II port (under the dash) and turn ignition ON (engine OFF).
• Use the scan tool function for EPB “Maintenance/Service Mode” to retract the rear parking brake motors.
• Turn ignition OFF once the scan tool confirms service mode is active.

Step 2: Lift the rear and remove the wheels

• Chock the front wheels using wheel chocks.
• Crack loose rear lug nuts with a 21mm socket and 1/2" drive breaker bar.
• Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and support with jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove lug nuts with a 21mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet, then remove wheels.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper

• Locate the rear caliper. The “caliper” is the clamp that squeezes the pads onto the rotor.
• Remove the two caliper slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it from the suspension using a bungee cord (do not let it hang by the brake hose).
• Torque on install: Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs)

Step 4: Remove the pads and caliper bracket

• Slide the inner and outer pads out of the bracket by hand; use a flathead screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.
• Remove the caliper bracket bolts using a 17mm socket and 1/2" drive breaker bar. The “caliper bracket” is the metal frame the pads ride in.
• Set the bracket aside.
• Torque on install: Torque to 80 Nm (59 ft-lbs)

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub. If it’s stuck from rust, strike the rotor hat with a rubber mallet while pulling outward.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and spray with brake cleaner spray, then wipe with disposable shop towels.
• A clean hub helps prevent brake pulsation.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Spray both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner spray and wipe with disposable shop towels to remove protective oil.
• Place the rotor onto the hub.

Step 7: Service the bracket hardware and install new pads

• Remove old pad clips from the bracket using a flathead screwdriver.
• Clean the bracket pad contact areas with a wire brush, then install the new clips from your hardware kit.
• Apply a thin film of brake caliper grease where the pad “ears” slide on the clips (keep grease off rotor and pad friction material).
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 8: Compress the caliper piston (EPB must be in service mode)

• Position the old pad against the piston, then use a brake caliper piston compressor (specialty) to push the piston straight back into the caliper slowly.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir as you compress; remove excess if it rises too high.
• Go slow to avoid seal damage.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper and bolts

• Place the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Install the slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Tighten with a torque wrench (20–150 ft-lbs range).
• Torque: Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs)

Step 10: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 3–9 on the opposite rear side.

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and lower the vehicle

• Install wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a 21mm socket and torque wrench (20–150 ft-lbs range).
• Torque: Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs)

Step 12: Exit EPB service/maintenance mode

• Turn ignition ON (engine OFF).
• Use the scan tool with Subaru EPB service mode (specialty) to command EPB “Close/Normal Mode” (wording varies by tool).
• Confirm the scan tool reports the EPB is back to normal operation.

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✅ After Repair

• With ignition ON, press the brake pedal slowly 10–15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons against the pads).
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• Test the EPB function: apply/release the EPB while stopped.
• Do a cautious road test. Start with gentle stops to confirm normal braking and no pulling/noise.
• Pad bed-in: do 6–10 moderate stops from ~30–40 mph, letting brakes cool a bit between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $600-$950 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $220-$450 (parts only)

You Save: $380-$500 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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