How to Remove the Rear Parking Brake on an Outback

Subaru Outback sedans and wagons use rear disk brakes, which incorporate a drum-style parking brake on the interior of the rotor. This parking brake can wear out or be damaged, and will require replacement. The brake itself is not difficult to disassemble; the only issue is access. The average weekend mechanic can remove the parking brake from an Outback in about 30 minutes.

Instructions

1

Lift the Outback at the rear wheel by placing the jack head onto a frame rail and pumping the lever on the jack until the wheel is in the air.

2

Turn all of the lug nuts counterclockwise then pull the wheel free of the hub. Set the wheel away from the work area.

3

Remove the caliper by turning the twin rear mount bolts counterclockwise and sliding the unit from the rotor. The pads may fall out of the caliper pistons or can be gently pried out with a screwdriver. Secure the caliper to the suspension or exhaust with a zip tie or wire, but do not let it hang by the brake lines as this may damage them.

4

Remove the rotor by pulling it free of the hub. Some models may have a keeper bolt or spindle nut holding the rotor in place, which can be removed by turning it counterclockwise. Inside of the rotor is the drum surface of the parking brake.

5

Remove the parking brake shoes by using a screwdriver to lever the long springs from the shoe hooks then turning the primary spring bolt in a counterclockwise direction. The shoes of the parking brake are actuated by a cable, which pushes the shoes into the interior rotor surface. Replacement is the reverse of removal.

6

Repeat the process on the opposite rear brake.