🔧 Outback - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads on your Outback. The rear caliper must be opened, the old pads removed, and the caliper piston compressed so the new pads fit correctly.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support your Outback with jack stands before putting any part of your body near the wheels.
• ⚠️ Do not breathe brake dust. Use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ The rear brakes use a small drum-style parking brake inside the rotor hat. Do not disturb the parking brake shoes unless needed.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint. Wipe spills immediately with a clean rag and water.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this rear pad replacement.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 19mm lug nut socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm open-end wrench
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• Torque wrench 10-100 ft-lb
• Disc brake pad spreader tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop rags
• 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 pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid DOT 3 or DOT 4 - Qty: 1 small bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Outback on level ground.
• 🅿️ Release the parking brake before lifting the rear of the vehicle.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of both front tires.
• 🧰 A caliper is the clamp-shaped brake part that squeezes the pads against the rotor.
• 🧰 A caliper slide pin lets the caliper move slightly as the brakes apply and release.
• 🧪 Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir. If it is full, remove a little fluid with a clean suction tool before compressing the pistons.

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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 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Loosen only, do not remove yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• 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.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Give the vehicle a small push with your hands to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

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

Step 4: Remove the Lower Caliper Bolt

• Look behind the rear caliper and find the lower caliper slide pin bolt.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen the lower bolt.
• If the slide pin spins, hold the pin with a 17mm open-end wrench while loosening the bolt.
• Remove the lower bolt and set it somewhere clean.

Step 5: Swing the Caliper Up

• Use your hand to swing the caliper upward like opening a door hinge.
• If it sticks, use a flathead screwdriver gently between the caliper and pad to create a little clearance.
• Support the caliper with a brake caliper hanger hook.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Pull the inner and outer brake pads out of the bracket by hand.
• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry them loose if they are stuck.
• Remove the old metal pad clips from the bracket with the flathead screwdriver.
• Spray the bracket contact areas with brake cleaner spray and wipe with shop rags.

Step 7: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use a disc brake pad spreader tool to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston. Fluid level will rise.
• If fluid nears the top, remove some carefully with a clean suction tool or absorb a small amount with clean shop rags.
• Go slow to protect the seals.

Step 8: Install New Brake Pad Hardware

• Install the new rear brake pad hardware clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure each clip sits flat and fully snapped into place.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease only to the pad ears where they touch the hardware clips.
• Do not get grease on the brake pad friction surface or rotor.

Step 9: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new inner and outer rear brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• The friction material faces the rotor.
• The pads should move smoothly in the clips without being loose.
• If a pad is tight, remove it and check that the hardware is seated correctly.

Step 10: Reinstall the Caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads by hand.
• Install the lower caliper bolt by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket and torque wrench 10-100 ft-lb to tighten the caliper bolt.
• If the slide pin spins, hold it with a 17mm open-end wrench.
• Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 10 on the opposite rear brake.
• Always replace rear brake pads as a set on both sides.

Step 12: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Put each wheel back onto the hub by hand.
• Thread the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Do not fully torque them while the vehicle is in the air.

Step 13: Lower the Vehicle and Torque Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to raise the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower your Outback until the tires touch the ground.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 10-100 ft-lb to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Before driving, press the brake pedal slowly 5-10 times until it feels firm. This moves the caliper pistons back into position.
• ✅ Check the brake fluid reservoir and top off with DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid if needed.
• ✅ Start the vehicle and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm, not spongy.
• ✅ Test drive slowly in a safe area. Confirm the vehicle stops normally and does not pull to one side.
• ✅ Bed in the pads with several gentle stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph. Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 miles unless necessary.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive: Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$380 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$110 (parts only)

You Save: $175-$270 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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