How to Change Rear Brakes on a Subaru Forester: Step-by-Step Guide for DIY Maintenance

How to Change Rear Brakes on a Subaru Forester

If you want to know how to change rear brakes on a Subaru Forester, the process is straightforward once you understand the rear caliper design and parking brake setup.

This guide covers the tools, steps, and common mistakes so you can complete the job safely and confidently.

What You Need Before You Start

Before lifting the vehicle, gather the correct parts and tools.

Subaru Forester rear brake jobs are usually done with standard hand tools, but a few items make the work safer and cleaner.

• Jack and jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• Lug wrench or impact wrench
• Ratchet and socket set
• Brake caliper tool or C-clamp
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or hook for supporting the caliper
• Brake cleaner
• New rear brake pads
• New rear rotors if needed
• Brake grease for pad contact points
• Gloves and eye protection

You should also confirm the correct brake parts for your Forester’s model year and trim.

Subaru has used different brake sizes across generations, and some vehicles with electronic parking brakes may require a special service mode.

Signs Your Rear Brakes Need Service

Rear brake wear often develops slowly, but the symptoms are easy to spot if you know what to look for.

• Squealing or grinding when braking
• Longer stopping distances
• Brake pedal vibration
• Uneven pad wear
• Grooved or rusted rotors
• Parking brake that feels weak or inconsistent

If the pads are worn close to the backing plate or the rotors are heavily scored, replacing pads alone may not solve the issue.

In many cases, rear pads and rotors are replaced together for balanced braking performance.

How to Change Rear Brakes on a Subaru Forester Step by Step

1. Park, secure, and lift the vehicle

Park on a flat surface and set the parking brake if you are working on the front; for rear brake service, release the parking brake before removing the rear wheels.

Place wheel chocks at the front wheels, loosen the rear lug nuts slightly, then lift the rear of the Forester with a jack and support it securely on jack stands.

2. Remove the rear wheel

Take off the wheel and set it aside.

This gives you full access to the caliper, pads, rotor, and parking brake hardware.

3. Inspect the caliper, pads, and rotor

Look for uneven pad wear, torn caliper slide pin boots, fluid leaks, and rotor damage.

If one pad is much thinner than the other, the slide pins may be sticking or the caliper may not be moving freely.

4. Remove the caliper

Locate the caliper slide pin bolts and remove them with the proper socket.

Carefully lift the caliper off the rotor and support it with a bungee cord or hook.

Do not let it hang by the brake hose.

5. Remove the old pads and hardware

Slide out the worn pads and remove any retaining clips or shims.

Clean the caliper bracket with brake cleaner and a brush so the new pads can move without binding.

6. Retract the caliper piston

The rear caliper piston must be pushed back into the housing to make room for the new, thicker pads.

On many Subaru Forester models, a standard brake caliper tool or C-clamp can be used, but if your vehicle has an electronic parking brake, you may need to place the system in maintenance mode first.

Apply steady pressure and watch the brake fluid reservoir, since the fluid level may rise as the piston retracts.

7. Replace the rotor if necessary

If the rotor is worn below minimum thickness, deeply grooved, or warped, remove it and install a new one.

Some rotors may stick to the hub due to rust; a few taps with a rubber mallet can help loosen them.

Clean the hub surface before installing the new rotor to prevent brake pulsation.

8. Install new hardware and pads

Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points on the bracket and to the slide pins if they are clean and serviceable.

Install the new clips, then place the new pads in position.

Make sure the friction material faces the rotor and that the pads sit squarely in the bracket.

9. Reinstall the caliper

Fit the caliper back over the new pads and rotor.

Install the slide pin bolts and tighten them to the manufacturer’s specified torque.

If you do not have the exact specification, consult a Subaru service manual or a reliable repair database before driving.

10. Reinstall the wheel and repeat on the other side

Put the wheel back on, hand-tighten the lug nuts, and lower the vehicle.

Then torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Repeat the entire process on the opposite rear wheel so braking remains even.

Important Subaru Forester Brake Tips

Some Subaru Forester models use an electronic parking brake, which changes the procedure.

If your vehicle has this feature, the rear calipers may not retract properly unless the system is placed into service mode with a scan tool or the correct procedure from the owner’s manual.

Also remember that Subaru all-wheel drive systems perform best when braking is balanced.

Replacing pads on both rear wheels at the same time helps preserve stable braking and prevents pulling or uneven wear.

• Do not compress the piston too quickly
• Do not reuse damaged slide pin boots
• Do not spray lubricant on the rotor or pad friction surface
• Do not ignore uneven wear between left and right sides

What to Check After Installation

Once the brakes are reassembled, press the brake pedal several times before moving the vehicle.

This seats the caliper piston against the new pads and restores normal pedal feel.

Check the following before driving:

• Brake pedal firmness
• Proper wheel lug torque
• No fluid leaks around the caliper
• Free wheel rotation with the parking brake released
• Correct parking brake function after reassembly

During the first drive, listen for abnormal noises and test braking gently.

New pads may need a short break-in period, often called bedding, to transfer material evenly onto the rotor surface.

When to Replace Pads and Rotors Together

Many drivers wonder whether they can install only new pads.

In some cases, yes, but replacing rotors at the same time is often the better choice when the old rotors are thin, glazed, rusted, or beyond resurfacing limits.

Fresh rotors help reduce noise, improve pedal feel, and extend pad life.

If the Forester has high mileage or the brake pedal has pulsation, replacing both pads and rotors is usually the most reliable repair.

This is especially true for vehicles that see winter road salt, which accelerates corrosion on the rotor hat and hub area.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Rear brake work is simple in principle, but small errors can create noise, uneven wear, or poor braking performance.

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Failing to support the caliper properly
• Forgetting to clean the bracket and slide pins
• Installing pads in the wrong orientation
• Skipping torque specifications
• Not pumping the brake pedal before driving
• Ignoring the parking brake system on equipped models

Taking a few extra minutes to inspect hardware and clean contact points can make the difference between a quiet, durable brake job and one that starts squeaking within days.

Maintenance Interval and Brake Life

Rear brake wear on a Subaru Forester depends on driving style, terrain, load, and weather.

City driving, towing, frequent downhill braking, and road salt exposure can shorten service life.

Many owners inspect rear brakes every tire rotation or every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, then replace parts as needed based on wear measurements rather than mileage alone.

Routine inspections help catch seized slide pins, worn pad hardware, and rotor corrosion before they become expensive repairs.

For best results, keep the brake system clean, flushed at recommended intervals, and serviced with quality parts designed for your Forester’s exact model year.