DIY Subaru Brake Pad Replacement: Save Money & Do It Right

Your Subaru’s brakes are making that dreaded squealing sound, or maybe your mechanic just quoted you $500+ for a brake job. Before you hand over your credit card, consider this: replacing your Subaru’s brake pads yourself can save you hundreds while giving you the satisfaction of maintaining your own vehicle. With the right tools and know-how, this essential maintenance task is within reach of most moderately handy car owners.

Choosing the Right Brake Pads for Your Subaru

Not all brake pads are created equal, and picking the right type for your driving style makes a huge difference in performance and longevity.

Organic Brake Pads

Found on about 67% of new vehicles, organic pads are the most budget-friendly option. They’re made from a mixture of carbon compounds, glass fibers, Kevlar, and rubber bound with resin.

Pros:

• Quietest operation
• Minimal dust production
• Gentle on rotors
• Most affordable option

Cons:

• Wear faster than other types
• Less effective in extreme conditions
• Require more pedal pressure

Organic pads are perfect for daily commuters who stick to city streets and highways. If you’re just driving to work and running errands, these will serve you well while being kind to your wallet.

Ceramic Brake Pads

Introduced in the mid-1980s, ceramic brake pads have become increasingly popular for their balanced performance.

Pros:

• Extremely quiet
• Minimal brake dust
• Consistent performance across temperatures
• Longer lifespan than organic pads

Cons:

• More expensive initially
• Can transfer more heat to other components
• Not always ideal for extreme performance

Ceramic pads are the “Goldilocks” option for most Subaru owners—not too expensive, not too cheap, with performance that satisfies most driving conditions.

Semi-Metallic Brake Pads

Containing 30-70% metal content (copper, iron, steel), these are the performance-oriented option.

Pros:

• Superior heat dissipation
• Excellent performance under heavy braking
• Great for mountain driving or towing
• Best pedal feel and responsiveness

Cons:

• Noisier than other options
• Produce more brake dust
• Can wear rotors faster
• Generally more expensive

If you live in mountainous regions, frequently tow, or enjoy spirited driving on winding roads, semi-metallic pads will give you the stopping power and fade resistance you need.

Read also: Carbon Fiber Brake Pads vs Ceramic: Which is Right for Your Vehicle

When It’s Time to Replace Your Subaru’s Brake Pads

Most Subaru brake pads last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, but this varies widely based on driving style and conditions. Here’s how to know when replacement time has arrived:

Listen for the Warning Signs

Your Subaru will typically tell you when brake service is needed:

• Squealing or screeching: This high-pitched sound usually means your brake pads have worn down to their wear indicators—metal tabs designed to make noise when it’s time for replacement.
• Grinding or scraping: If you hear metal-on-metal sounds, you’ve waited too long! This means your pads are completely worn out and the metal backing is contacting your rotors, causing expensive damage.

Feel for Performance Issues

Pay attention to how your brakes perform:

• Increased stopping distance
• Brake pedal feels softer or “spongier” than usual
• Vibration or pulsing through the brake pedal
• Car pulling to one side during braking

Visual Inspection

The most reliable method is simply looking at your brake pads:

1. Look through your wheel spokes at the brake pad material
2. Healthy pads should have at least 1/4 inch (6-7mm) of friction material
3. If they’re thinner than this, it’s time for replacement

Modern Subarus may also display a dashboard warning light when sensors detect thin pads, especially on higher-trim models.

Essential Tools for DIY Brake Pad Replacement

Before starting your brake job, gather these tools and supplies:

Safety Equipment First

• Safety glasses (brake dust is harmful!)
• Nitrile gloves
• Dust mask
• Wheel chocks

Lifting and Support Equipment

• Hydraulic floor jack rated for your vehicle’s weight
• Jack stands (never rely on just the jack!)
• Lug wrench

Hand Tools

• Socket set (metric for Subarus)
• 19mm socket for lug nuts and caliper bracket bolts
• 14mm socket for caliper mounting bolts
• 7mm Allen key (for some newer models)
• Torque wrench (15-100 ft-lbs range)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Pliers

Brake-Specific Items

• Brake caliper spreader tool or large C-clamp
• Brake cleaner spray
• High-temperature brake grease
• Wire brush for cleaning
• Bungee cord or wire (to hang the caliper)
• Turkey baster (to remove brake fluid if needed)

For electronic parking brake (EPB) models (2015+ Subarus), you may need access to a scan tool capable of activating service mode.

Front Brake Pad Replacement: Step-by-Step

Front brakes typically wear faster and are simpler to replace than rears on most Subarus. Here’s your game plan:

Preparation Steps

1. Park on a level surface and engage the parking brake
2. Loosen wheel lug nuts while the car is still on the ground
3. Open the brake fluid reservoir cap and remove some fluid with a turkey baster to prevent overflow when compressing calipers
4. Jack up the front of the vehicle at the recommended lift points
5. Secure with jack stands and remove the wheels

Removing the Old Brake Pads

1. Locate the two caliper bolts (usually 14mm) on the back of the caliper
2. Remove these bolts while supporting the caliper
3. Lift the caliper away from the rotor and suspend it using a bungee cord or wire—don’t let it hang by the brake hose!
4. Slide out the old brake pads and note their position (especially the wear indicator tabs)
5. Inspect the caliper bracket and clean any rust or debris

Servicing the Caliper

1. Check the caliper slide pins for smooth movement
2. Remove the rubber boots and extract the pins
3. Clean the pins thoroughly and apply fresh high-temperature brake grease
4. Reinstall the pins and verify they move freely

Installing New Brake Pads

1. Use a C-clamp or caliper spreader to compress the caliper piston(s) back into the housing
2. Place the old pad against the piston to distribute pressure evenly
3. Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the backs of the new pads and any contact points (but never on the friction surface!)
4. Install the new pads in the same orientation as the old ones
5. Reposition the caliper over the pads and reinstall the caliper bolts
6. Torque caliper mounting bolts to 20 ft-lbs and caliper bracket bolts to 59-88 ft-lbs (check your specific model)

Finishing Up

1. Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten lug nuts
2. Lower the vehicle to the ground
3. Torque lug nuts to 90 ft-lbs in a star pattern
4. Pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm (this positions the pads against the rotor)
5. Top off brake fluid if needed
6. Repeat for the other side

Tackling Rear Brake Pads on Modern Subarus

Rear brake pad replacement gets trickier on 2015 and newer Subarus equipped with electronic parking brakes (EPB). Here’s what you need to know:

Electronic Parking Brake Considerations

Modern Subarus use electric motors to apply the parking brake, and these require special handling during service. You have two options:

Option 1: Using a Scan Tool (Recommended)

1. Connect a compatible scan tool to your Subaru’s OBD-II port
2. Navigate to the brake control module
3. Select “Brake pad replacement mode” or similar option
4. The EPB motors will retract, allowing safe caliper removal
5. Perform the brake pad replacement (similar to front procedure)
6. Use the scan tool to exit service mode when finished

Professional-grade scan tools like Autel MaxiSys work best, but some more affordable options may work on certain models.

Option 2: Manual Retraction Method

If you don’t have access to a scan tool:

1. Disconnect the EPB motor connector
2. Remove the Allen bolts securing the actuator
3. Use needle-nose pliers to manually turn the mechanism clockwise until fully retracted
4. Complete the brake service
5. Reinstall components in reverse order

Warning: This method carries risks of component damage and may trigger fault codes requiring professional clearing.

Rear Brake Pad Replacement Steps

1. Follow the same preparation steps as the front brakes
2. Activate EPB service mode with a scan tool (highly recommended)
3. Remove the caliper bolts and pivot the caliper upward
4. Support the caliper without stressing the brake hose
5. Remove old pads and clean the bracket
6. Compress the piston carefully—on EPB models, this must be done very slowly and evenly
7. Install new pads and reassemble
8. Use the scan tool to exit service mode when complete

Remember that rear caliper mounting bolts typically require 18-20 ft-lbs of torque, while bracket bolts need 48-85 ft-lbs depending on your specific Subaru model.

Cost Comparison: DIY vs. Professional Service

One of the biggest motivations for DIY brake work is cost savings. Let’s break down the numbers:

DIY Costs

Professional Service Costs

The savings are clear: Even with tool purchases, you’ll save money on your first brake job, and the savings multiply with each future service.

Critical Safety Considerations

Brakes are a safety-critical system, so proper procedures are essential:

Brake Fluid Safety

• Brake fluid is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture) and corrosive
• Keep it away from painted surfaces—it will damage your paint
• Subaru uses DOT 3 fluid in most models, which should be changed every 2-3 years
• Never reuse old brake fluid

Torque Specifications

Proper torque is crucial for safety:

Always use a calibrated torque wrench and follow the specified pattern.

Brake Bedding Procedure

After installing new brake pads, you need to “bed them in” properly:

1. Find a quiet, empty road
2. Accelerate to 30 mph
3. Apply moderate brake pressure to slow to 5-10 mph (don’t stop completely)
4. Repeat 8-10 times with cooling periods between
5. Then perform 2-3 harder stops from 45 mph
6. Allow brakes to cool completely before normal driving

This process deposits an even layer of pad material on the rotors, improving performance and reducing noise.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful work, you might encounter these common problems:

Squealing or Grinding After Installation

Possible causes:

• Contaminated rotors (oil or brake cleaner residue)
• Improperly seated pads
• Missing or improperly installed anti-rattle clips
• Low-quality brake pads

Solution: Remove pads, clean everything thoroughly with brake cleaner, and reinstall. Consider upgrading pad quality if the noise persists.

Spongy Brake Pedal

Possible causes:

• Air in the brake lines
• Improperly seated pads
• Caliper piston not fully retracted before installation

Solution: Verify pad installation and try repeatedly pumping the brakes. If the problem persists, you may need to bleed the brake system.

Electronic Parking Brake Faults

If warning lights appear after rear brake service on models with EPB:

• Reconnect the scan tool and verify service mode is properly exited
• Check for proper connection of all electrical components
• Some models may require a specific sequence of operations to reset

For persistent issues, a dealership visit may be necessary for proper calibration.

Maintenance Tips for Longer Brake Life

Extend the life of your new brake pads with these practices:

1. Avoid riding the brakes – especially on downhill sections
2. Use engine braking – downshift when descending to reduce brake load
3. Maintain proper following distance – avoid panic stops
4. Inspect brakes regularly – check during tire rotations
5. Address squeaks early – don’t wait until metal-on-metal contact occurs
6. Flush brake fluid every 2-3 years – prevents internal corrosion

For Subarus in snowy regions where road salt is used, consider an annual brake cleaning and lubrication service to prevent corrosion-related issues.

Replacing your Subaru’s brake pads yourself is a rewarding project that saves money while giving you intimate knowledge of your vehicle’s critical safety systems. With proper tools, attention to detail, and respect for torque specifications, you’ll have brakes that perform as well as professionally installed ones—at a fraction of the cost.