Subaru Rear Brake and Parking Brake Replacement - How To

[@ycantucmesssmile]

I personally found it easier to put the retaining pins (springs, tops also) on first. THEN the adjuster, THEN bottom spring to pull it all together. Way less to hold and less tension to contend with. Great video so far; thank you, sir! 😁

[@jaydavid9241]

Hey bro you saved my life. Fr I can’t believe it you…. You really changed my life . Thank you

[@anthonyramos3741]

Im tackling this job in 20 min. Great video to see what details need foresight, thank you sir 🎉😊

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Glad it helped!

[@maker000]

Hey thanks, I've done my brakes a bunch of times but I always tend to fall back to this video to remember how the expansion piece for the drum brake works LOL

[@chrisvill54]

I did the parking brake on my 03 wrx. After i did the shoes and hardware i could not get the new rotors on. I tried everything. Ended up having to grind a little bit off on the adjuster. Just a few mm and that did the trick. Went in smooth. Looking back at it i think i should have used a file instead of a wire brush to clean the rust off the round thing on top where the shoes sit against. I think the wire brush just can't get all the rust off. Just a few mm of rust can make it impossible to get the rotor in. Nevertheless what i did worked. But the key to a successful brake shoe install or brake job is cleaning the rust off as best as possible without going crazy and grinding into the metal. Powertools are too powerful so a hand file is better. When you stop seeing rust dust its time to stop. A good brake job takes time because of all the cleaning. If you just slap stuff on your going to have issues sooner than you should. unless the car is brand new.

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Cleaning things is important but I’ve run into this situation many times before. The problem is the shoe manufacturer. They build up the brake linings about a millimetre to thick on each shoe. It makes getting the drum(or rotor) impossible to get back on. Grinding some material from the shoe where it meets the anchor will sit the shoes a little further in. Works every time

[@chrisvill54]

@@HomebrewSubaru yeah in totally agree with that also. Although the replacement shoes looked to identical in length to the originals, putting them next to each other. That's why i hate doing drum brakes in general. They mass produce the shoes at a way cheaper cost than oem, so in many cases they wont be exact length. And that makes all the difference. But a little grinding and we save ourselves a few hard earned bucks.

[@jessevennard2640]

I had the same problem, however, I’m an idiot and slid the adjuster on horizontally instead of underneath on the vertical axis. Wasn’t paying enough attention during removal. Figured it out when the star cogs on the adjustment wheel weren’t contacting the spring. Helpful video

[@R00567]

thank you for helping me with my 2007 STi. The video was just what I needed.

[@thomasmurphy5906]

Thanks for the detailed how to, this is one of my next projects on my list

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Hey Thomas 👋

[@newdayyesterday]

Always useful to have another 'how to' video for a practical maintenance task on a car.

[@RobWormaldPlus]

the 2-pots won't bolt straight up to the RS backing plates (the front 4-pots do). you can either install 06-07 WRX backing plates, or you can get an adapter to use with the existing backing plates (requires you to trim them though). swapping the backing plates requires you to pull the hub, so you'll end up replacing the wheel bearings at the same time...

[@twodollargoat]

Great vid. Super helpful. I am a bit confused as to the direction of the adjuster. You indicate to orient it so spinning up spreads the shoes but the access to the cog when it is assembled is from the back of the brake so shouldn't it be reversed (spinning down from the front)?

[@HomebrewSubaru]

You are correct the adjuster is backwards as I explain the adjustment I am doing on the outside. Clearly my mistake was visualizing the adjustment from the backside. The adjuster can be used either way, the teeth on it are non directional. Best to remove the drum or rotor for proper adjustment

[@TAMAYOSTUDIOS]

Hello, I'm glad I came across your video because I'm stuck on my rear driver side to were I had a hard time removing my rotor (2015 Forester). However, upon installing my slot rotor, the rear shoe gets in the way. Not knowing what I have done, I tried putting on the original rotor and now it cant because of that rear shoe. I may have did something wrong banging away on that rotor. The look of the hub and the rear shoe look not centered and I wish I can show you the pictures.

[@HomebrewSubaru]

You might need to adjust down the brakes to get the new rotor to sit on straight/flush. Then adjust back up. It sounds like the shoe is knocked out of place. Have a good look at where the is sitting and see if it needs to be seated again.

[@jbradley920rox]

I put the adjuster in first. Less need for octopus hands. Thanks for the video

[@ewardwr]

I really appreciate the effort you put in here, I'm planning on replacing the rear parking brakes on my 07' Outback soon and when I was in there to do pads and rotors it looked the same. Definitely gonna be referencing this video when I do the service, but may I also ask where you got the hardware kit? Was it from a dealership or aftermarket site ect?

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Get the kit in the aftermarket. The dealer will sell everything individually and likely need to be ordered by them.

[@JonathanGonzalez-me3vb]

@@HomebrewSubarudo you have a link for the kit you used?

[@HomebrewSubaru]

@@JonathanGonzalez-me3vb search for parking brake hardware kit and you will find what you need

[@JonathanGonzalez-me3vb]

@@HomebrewSubaruwill do! thanks for the quick reply :)

[@Khonamono]

Great tips and tricks. Thanks for the good video

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Appreciate the comment

[@robbieb3090]

Is this the 170 mm brake shoe kit?if so were did you buy it and did it come with everything in video including the lever that the cable attaches too?Great video btw

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Thanks. I am not aware of a size difference on Impreza models excluding STi. The shoes comes bare in the aftermarket. Maybe once or twice I've seen them come with the lever. All hardware is bought separately

[@robbieb3090]

@@HomebrewSubaru ok thank you

[@kennethwhitlock6681]

Good camera work and view!!!

[@sk8erdude872]

what is that tool called you removed the anchor pins with?

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Brake Spring Compressor Tool. There is two sizes, you need the smaller less common one for parking brake shoes.

[@adidragan]

Oh just grab the special tool... Could you elaborate what special tool it is? A model number? Where to buy? You know... Anything?

[@HomebrewSubaru]

LMFAO.... No and good luck with all of that

[@fadnama]

The parking brake on my 2002 Outback is froze and won’t release. Do you have a video that covers how to fix that issue?

[@HomebrewSubaru]

It likely broke a spring and the shoes have jammed up inside the drum. It would require inspection

[@DionDell]

I’m trying to put my brakes back onto my rear rotor but the dust shield is preventing them from fitting… help?

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Make sure the shoes are properly aligned. If the shield is rusted it will need to be cleaned

[@vertvlogs675]

Absolute legend

[@HomebrewSubaru]

@@vertvlogs675 thanks 🙏

[@b17bry]

Very helpful, Thanks

[@HomebrewSubaru]

You're welcome

[@john2856]

Great hulp. Thank you!

[@HomebrewSubaru]

You're welcome

[@robot_spider]

The "special" tool at 18:13... is that a tool designed for that purpose? Or just something with the right shape/size to push/turn that fastener 90 degrees?

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Brake spring tool. You can buy a brake tool kit and often times there will be two different size tools with some other stuff

[@mryancharcoal]

I need to unseize the parking brakes on my 2010 Subaru Forester, it's a little daunting though cause it's the first time I'll take apart a brake assembly. Any tips

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Likely the problem is one of the brake cables if you're experiencing a handle that won't pull up

[@andrewgilberg9494]

Is the "retaining plate" at 19:50 in the video available as a part somewhere? Haven't been able to find it in aftermarket parts and it is somehow missing on my 2014 Subaru Forester.

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Head to the dealership parts department to double check if the part was in that year. Likely it was and you can order it there. Most of the aftermarket will not support a retainer like that.

[@andrewgilberg9494]

Will do. Thanks!@@HomebrewSubaru

[@zilla4593]

Excellent video

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Thanks for the visit

[@hydrofire1296]

When I looked for bolts on subaru they were part of the caliper and were not available separately. So screwy as the bracket comes without the bracket bolts as well.

[@HomebrewSubaru]

The parts guys should have an easier time getting the right ones. Maybe it's the system they are using to look up parts that's the problem because I've had the same issue at the dealer

[@camllo14]

Thanks for the video!!! It helped a lot!!

[@johnz85]

I need to replace my backing plate. Do I need to remove the axle nut for this?

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Yes the entire hub will have to come out

[@arcpulseh]

What's the name of the brake shoe pin tool? Ripped my shoes out today with the rotor while doing a bearing job. The rust was insane... Now I have the spring sitting in the rotor with the lever attached. Ordered new hardware and shoes. Hopefully the backing plate will retain pins otherwise I'll be ordering one of those too...

[@HomebrewSubaru]

I’m going to call it a brake spring depressor? Backing plates rotting out can make any job a small career

[@frostignordman]

Is this the same as Forester SG5 02-05? Looks the same (brake shoe fitting).

[@HomebrewSubaru]

It is the same yes

[@mrsannman7081]

Thank you for this video! Gave ya a thumbs up and I subscribed!

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Thanks!

[@Crown_West]

Thanks! Very helpful

[@juliabutler6134]

What about the parking brake strut and strut spring? I didn’t see that go on but I’ve now realized they are “extra”. Is this a major issue?

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Parking brake strut? Please clarify

[@tamlai2786]

Great job

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Thanks

[@toknowlj]

thank you for your instructions :) I HATE the electronic parking brake (NO emergency brake?) extremely unsafe! :O that is the biggest complaint I have about the modern Subaru cars. also have a 2019 crosstrek for my wife and it has an emergency brake :) plus better mpg and a fun car to drive. Subaru should never have an electronic parking brake it is unsafe and fails when there is no power [DC] an emergency brake is for Emergency use when all else fails to stop you. [just keep the cables in good shape to be safe] the E-brake can only be operated manually with great difficulty (try operating it during an emergency, the port is behind the drivers seat and operated with an alen wrench [which is hidden in a bag] the E parking brake is NOT an emergency brake

[@Aspen32roblox]

Everyone's doing it now, not just subaru

[@toknowlj]

@@Aspen32roblox unsafe no matter what car it is on.

[@eze8024]

I spent more time googling who thought drums inside of disc's was a good idea, and if they ended up getting fired for it, than I did replacing them 😪

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Lol

[@matt260]

thanks for this

[@cyphez460]

Thanks!

[@jezfogaty1359]

thanks!

[@BasicMacik]

Dammit no one actually shows the operation of the shoes expanding one of my shoes is only expanding and not the other one

[@HomebrewSubaru]

That is ok. That is the way they operate. The cable can only pull the one side and as it applies, the bar between the shoes pushes the other shoe outward. This is very difficult to see by eye because we're talking thousands of an inch. Put it together without the wheels and see if they lock, retry with wheel on.

[@BasicMacik]

@@HomebrewSubaru ahh I see oh man I was out there for 3 hours struggling and had to call it for the night, i’ve been wishing I never messed with it at all now especially since there’s the hurricane coming through this week so I need to get it handled tomorrow 🤦🏻‍♂️ is there any way I can send you the video I took of it on facebook or instagram to see that it was working right from the get go?

[@Asientabs]

U see that two Holes on ur breakdisk ( infront) u can screw two screw's in there to help u pull it off.

[@HomebrewSubaru]

M8x1.25

[@artolaakkonen2442]

Thanks. 😘👌🏻

[@peterfong8777]

Thank 🙏

[@luischevere7382]

You missed a spring at the bottom that holds the shoes together. Your insistence on using a cutter plier to pull springs together is so dangerous. You could easily cut the end of the spring or weaken spring .

[@HomebrewSubaru]

The spring is on there, you just missed it. Cutting pliers are fine as long as you use them to hold and not cut. They don’t cut easily and if weaken you mean take the paint off, I’ll give you that much. Thanks