🔧 Outback - Rear Brake Pad and Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rear brake rotors on your Outback. The pads create the stopping friction, and the rotors are the metal discs the pads clamp onto.

Your Outback uses a rear disc brake setup with an electronic parking brake system, so the parking brake must stay released during this job.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface only.
• ⚠️ Keep the electronic parking brake released before lifting the vehicle.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Do not turn on or apply the electronic parking brake while the rear brakes are apart.
• ⚠️ Support your Outback with jack stands. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Wear safety glasses and gloves, and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid may rise in the reservoir when compressing the caliper piston. Remove excess fluid if it gets near the top.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 19mm lug nut socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 1/2-inch breaker bar
• Torque wrench rated to 100 ft-lbs
• Rear brake caliper piston compression tool
• Large C-clamp
• Flathead screwdriver
• Small wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner spray nozzle
• Catch pan
• Bungee cord
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• 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 rotors - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1-2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Outback on level ground.
• 🚗 Shift the CVT into Park.
• 🚗 Release the electronic parking brake using the dashboard parking brake switch.
• 🚗 Turn the ignition fully OFF after the parking brake is released.
• 🚗 Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• 🚗 Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• 🚗 A caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.
• 🚗 A rotor is the round metal disc behind the wheel.
• 🚗 A caliper bracket is the metal frame that holds the brake pads in place.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Break them loose on the ground.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the rear of your Outback at the rear center jacking point.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the rear side support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to make sure it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 4: Inspect the Brake Layout

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Look at the caliper, caliper bracket, brake pads, and rotor before removing anything.
• Take a phone photo so you can compare the new parts during reassembly.
• Photos help first-time DIYers a lot.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• A slide pin bolt lets the caliper move smoothly as the pads wear.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Use a bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension spring or control arm.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry the old inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the old metal pad clips from the bracket by hand or with the flathead screwdriver.
• Pad clips are thin stainless pieces that let the brake pads slide smoothly.

Step 7: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use a 17mm socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket and set it on a clean surface.

Step 8: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub by hand.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet.
• The rotor hat is the raised center section of the rotor.
• If the rotor still will not come off, the parking brake shoes may be holding it from inside the rotor hat.
• Use a flathead screwdriver through the rotor access hole to slightly back off the parking brake shoe adjuster.
• Turn the adjuster a few clicks at a time, then try removing the rotor again.
• Do not force the rotor off.

Step 9: Clean the Hub Surface

• Use a small wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face.
• Use brake cleaner spray nozzle and a catch pan to wash away loose dust and rust.
• The new rotor must sit flat against the hub to prevent vibration.

Step 10: Install the New Rotor

• Use brake cleaner spray nozzle and catch pan to clean both braking surfaces of the new rotor.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub by hand.
• Install one lug nut by hand to hold the rotor flat while you work.

Step 11: Clean and Prepare the Caliper Bracket

• Use a small wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Install the new brake hardware clips by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the pad contact areas on the clips.
• Do not put lubricant on the rotor or pad friction surfaces.

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Place the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 17mm socket and torque wrench rated to 100 ft-lbs to tighten the bracket bolts.
• Torque to 88 Nm (65 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Install the New Brake Pads

• Slide the new inner and outer brake pads into the bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads move freely in the clips.
• If a pad is tight, remove it and check the clip position.
• Pads should slide, not jam.

Step 14: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level.
• Use a rear brake caliper piston compression tool or large C-clamp to slowly push the caliper piston back into the caliper.
• The piston is the round part inside the caliper that pushes the brake pad.
• Compress it slowly so brake fluid returns gently to the reservoir.
• Stop if the brake fluid reservoir gets close to overflowing.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Place the caliper over the new brake pads.
• Start both caliper slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use a 14mm socket and torque wrench rated to 100 ft-lbs to tighten the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Use the same tools and steps on the other rear brake assembly.
• Rear brake pads and rotors should be replaced in pairs.

Step 17: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Remove the temporary lug nut holding each rotor.
• Install each wheel by hand.
• Start all lug nuts by hand.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 18: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to raise the rear slightly.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower your Outback fully to the ground.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and torque wrench rated to 100 ft-lbs to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

Step 19: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat.
• Press the brake pedal slowly 5-8 times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the brake pedal feels firm.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed with the correct brake fluid listed on the reservoir cap.
• ✅ Start the vehicle and press the brake pedal again. It should stay firm.
• ✅ Apply and release the electronic parking brake once to confirm it operates normally.
• ✅ Test drive slowly in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Perform a gentle brake bedding procedure: make 8-10 smooth stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $120-$260 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$390 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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