🔧 Rear Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads and rotors on your Outback restores braking power, reduces noise, and fixes shaking from worn or uneven rotors. This job also includes retracting the electronic parking brake before service and resetting it afterward.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Your Outback uses an electronic parking brake (EPB). Put the system in service mode before removing the rear calipers.
• Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• Support the vehicle securely with jack stands before removing wheels.
• Brake parts may be hot if the vehicle was recently driven.
• Use brake cleaner only in a well-ventilated area.
• If the battery is weak, charge it before starting. Low voltage can interrupt EPB service mode.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 21mm lug wrench or socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Torque wrench
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord or mechanic's wire
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for vehicle weight)
• Wheel chocks
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1 set
• Rear brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1 set
• Brake grease - Qty: 1 tube
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the transmission to Park.
• Chock the front wheels.
• Release the parking brake before entering EPB service mode.
• If needed, the rear EPB can be placed into service mode using the parking brake switch sequence. Keep the battery strong.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen and lift the vehicle

• Use the 21mm lug wrench or socket to break loose the rear lug nuts, but do not remove them yet.
• Lift the rear of the vehicle with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Support it with jack stands (rated for vehicle weight).
• Remove the rear wheels.

Step 2: Put the parking brake in service mode

• With the ignition on and the parking brake released, use the parking brake switch to place the EPB in service mode.
• Wait for the indicator to confirm service mode before continuing.
• Do not skip this step.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper

• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or mechanic's wire. Do not let it hang by the hose.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket and rotor

• Use the 17mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket.
• If the rotor is stuck, thread in the rotor retaining screw if equipped or tap the rotor hat area with a flat-blade screwdriver and small hammer.
• Remove the rotor.

Step 5: Clean and inspect the hub

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Spray the hub with brake cleaner and wipe it dry.
• Clean hub surfaces prevent rotor wobble.

Step 6: Install the new rotor and bracket

• Install the new rotor onto the hub.
• If equipped, reinstall the rotor retaining screw and snug it lightly.
• Reinstall the caliper bracket.
• Use the 17mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the bracket bolts to 79 Nm (58 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Install new pads and prep the caliper

• Install the new hardware clips from the brake hardware kit if included.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points and slide areas only.
• Use the brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty) to push the caliper piston back in.
• Install the new rear pads in the bracket.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper over the pads.
• Use the 14mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the slide pin bolts to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Make sure the caliper moves smoothly on the pins.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and lower the vehicle

• Install the rear wheels.
• Snug the lug nuts with the 21mm lug wrench or socket.
• Lower the vehicle.
• Use the torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs) in a star pattern.

Step 10: Exit EPB service mode

• Use the parking brake switch to cancel service mode.
• Cycle the ignition off and back on if needed.
• Confirm the parking brake warning light behaves normally.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before moving the vehicle.
• Check brake pedal feel before driving.
• Verify the parking brake holds the vehicle.
• Test drive at low speed and listen for rubbing or squeaking.
• Recheck lug nut torque after the first drive.
• New pads and rotors need a short break-in period. Avoid hard stops for the first 200 miles if possible.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$800 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $200-$450 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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