🔧 Forester - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rear brake rotors on your Forester. The rear electronic parking brake must be handled correctly so the caliper motors are not damaged.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Your Forester uses an electronic parking brake, also called EPB. Do not force the rear caliper piston back in until the parking brake is placed into maintenance mode or the EPB actuator is safely retracted.
• ⚠️ Work on level ground only. Use jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the rear calipers are removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask, and use brake cleaner instead of compressed air.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint. Wipe spills immediately with clean water.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required when using the correct EPB maintenance procedure.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• Torque wrench 10-150 ft-lbs
• Rear brake piston compression tool (specialty)
• EPB-capable scan tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Rubber mallet
• Wire brush
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Brake cleaner
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask

---

🔩 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 pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1-2 cans

---

📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Forester on a flat, solid surface.
• 🛞 Place wheel chocks in front of both front tires.
• 🚫 Turn the electronic parking brake off before lifting the vehicle.
• 🔍 Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir. If it is full, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing the calipers.
• 🧰 Use an EPB-capable scan tool to place the rear parking brake in maintenance mode. “Maintenance mode” retracts the parking brake motors so the pistons can be pushed back safely.
• 📱 Typical scan tool path: Subaru > Forester > Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode > Start

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the Rear EPB in Maintenance Mode

• Use the EPB-capable scan tool and select Subaru > Forester > Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode > Start.
• Listen for the rear parking brake motors to run. This means the EPB is retracting.
• When the scan tool says maintenance mode is active, leave the ignition off before lifting the vehicle.
• Do not skip this step.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use the 19mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen before lifting.

Step 3: Raise and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum at the rear center jacking point.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the rear side support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Shake the vehicle lightly by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm socket to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the vehicle as an added safety backup.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with the brake caliper hanger hook. Do not let it hang by the rubber brake hose.
• Protect the brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Use your hands or a flat-blade screwdriver to slide the old pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Use the flat-blade screwdriver to remove the old stainless pad clips from the bracket.
• The pad clips are thin metal pieces that help the brake pads slide smoothly.

Step 7: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use the 17mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to remove the two rear caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket from the knuckle.
• Set the bracket on a clean work surface.

Step 8: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Pull the rear rotor straight off by hand.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap the rotor hat area with the rubber mallet.
• Do not hit the wheel studs.
• If the rotor still will not move, make sure the parking brake is fully released and EPB maintenance mode is active.

Step 9: Clean the Hub Face

• Use the wire brush to clean rust and dirt from the wheel hub face.
• Use brake cleaner and shop towels to wipe the hub clean.
• A clean hub helps the new rotor sit flat and prevents brake vibration.
• Clean metal matters.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Rotor

• Use brake cleaner and shop towels to clean both sides of the new rotor.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub by hand.
• Hold it flat against the hub while you reinstall the caliper bracket.

Step 11: Service the Caliper Bracket

• Use the wire brush to clean the pad clip contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Install the new clips from the rear brake pad hardware kit by hand.
• Pull the slide pins out of the bracket by hand.
• Wipe the slide pins with shop towels, then apply a thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease.
• Slide pins are smooth metal pins that let the caliper move evenly as the brakes apply.

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the new rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 17mm socket and torque wrench 10-150 ft-lbs to tighten the bracket bolts.
• Torque to 88 Nm (65 ft-lbs)

Step 13: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Use the rear brake piston compression tool to slowly push the caliper piston back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston. Stop if fluid rises too high.
• The piston should move smoothly because the EPB is in maintenance mode.
• Do not twist or force the piston if it resists.

Step 14: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease only to the pad ears where they touch the clips.
• Do not get grease on the pad friction surface or rotor face.
• Slide the new pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads move freely in the clips.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads.
• Start both slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use the 14mm socket and torque wrench 10-150 ft-lbs to tighten the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Step 16: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Use the same tools and steps on the opposite rear brake.
• Always replace rear pads and rotors in pairs so braking stays balanced.

Step 17: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install both rear wheels by hand.
• Use the 19mm socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the vehicle slightly.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower the vehicle to the ground.
• Use the 19mm socket and torque wrench 10-150 ft-lbs to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs)

Step 18: Exit EPB Maintenance Mode

• Use the EPB-capable scan tool and select Subaru > Forester > Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode > End.
• Listen for the parking brake motors to run and reset.
• Apply and release the parking brake once using the parking brake switch.

Step 19: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Use your foot to slowly press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the brake pedal feels firm.
• Firm pedal before driving.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed with the correct brake fluid listed on the reservoir cap.
• ✅ Start your Forester and confirm the brake warning light and parking brake light turn off normally.
• ✅ Test the electronic parking brake several times while parked.
• ✅ Drive slowly in a safe area and make several gentle stops.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with about 8-10 moderate stops from 30-35 mph, allowing a little cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless it is an emergency.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$750 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $270-$400 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.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.