🔧 Forester - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll be removing the rear wheels, unbolting the rear brake calipers/brackets, replacing the rotors and pads, then reassembling and bedding-in the new pads. On your Forester, the rear brakes work with an electronic parking brake (EPB), so you must put the EPB into maintenance mode before compressing the caliper pistons.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the Forester with jack stands before working underneath.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• ⚠️ Use EPB maintenance mode before retracting rear pistons, or you can damage the EPB caliper.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is hazardous; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Keep brake fluid off paint; it can damage the finish.
• Battery disconnect is not required, but keep ignition OFF except when commanding EPB maintenance mode.

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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
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Torque wrench (10–200 N·m range)
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaner
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Bi-directional 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone-based) - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the steering wheel straight, and place wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• Make sure the EPB is released and the transmission is in P.
• Turn off Auto Vehicle Hold (AVH) if it’s on (use the AVH button near the shifter).
• Have your bi-directional scan tool ready to command EPB Maintenance Mode (this retracts the parking brake motor inside the rear calipers).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen lug nuts and raise the rear

• Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to crack the rear lug nuts loose about 1/2 turn.
• Use a floor jack to lift the rear, then support with jack stands at the rear lift points.
• Remove the wheels using the 19mm socket.

Step 2: Put the EPB into maintenance mode

• Connect your bi-directional scan tool with Subaru EPB service mode (specialty).
• Use the scan tool menu to command EPB Maintenance Mode (wording varies by tool).
• Maintenance mode prevents EPB damage.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper (do not let it hang)

• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the pads/rotor. Use a bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension spring.
• Do not stretch the hose or pull on the EPB wiring.

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Remove the pads by hand. Use a flathead screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.
• Remove the pad abutment clips (hardware) from the bracket.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 17mm socket and breaker bar to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque to 65 N·m (48 ft-lbs) during reassembly.

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it’s stuck from rust, spray the hub area with brake parts cleaner, then tap the rotor hat evenly (use controlled force) and wiggle it off.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face so the new rotor sits flat.

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Clean both sides of the new rotor with brake parts cleaner and shop towels to remove packing oil.
• Place the rotor onto the hub.

Step 8: Service slide pins and install new hardware

• Pull the slide pins from the bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin coat of brake caliper grease (silicone-based) to the smooth part of each slide pin, then reinstall.
• Install the new abutment clips from the rear brake hardware kit onto the bracket.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Position the bracket over the new rotor.
• Install the bracket bolts using a 17mm socket.
• Torque to 65 N·m (48 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Install new pads

• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket.
• Apply a very light film of brake caliper grease (silicone-based) to pad contact points on the clips (not on friction material).

Step 11: Retract the rear caliper piston and reinstall the caliper

• With EPB still in maintenance mode, use a brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly push the piston straight back into the caliper.
• Go slow to avoid fluid overflow.
• Reinstall the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 25 N·m (18 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the other rear side

• Repeat Steps 3–11 on the other rear wheel.

Step 13: Exit EPB maintenance mode

• Use the bi-directional scan tool with Subaru EPB service mode (specialty) to command EPB Normal Mode or EPB Initialization (tool wording varies).

Step 14: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Install wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the Forester 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 N·m (89 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal firmly 10–15 times until it feels normal (this seats the pistons).
• Check brake fluid level and top up with DOT 3 only if needed.
• Test the EPB apply/release function while parked.
• Do a careful road test and listen for scraping or pulling.
• Pad bed-in: do 6–10 moderate stops from 50 km/h to 10 km/h, then drive to cool for 10 minutes (avoid hard stops while bedding).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹12,000-₹25,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹6,000-₹16,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹6,000-₹9,000 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run ₹1,000-₹2,500/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2.0-3.0 hours.

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