Parts for your 1998 Subaru Forester-Brake shoes

1998 Subaru Forester brake shoes — what they do and when to replace them

Brake shoes are relevant to the 1998 Subaru Forester. Technical sources including the Subaru Forester 1998 Factory Service Manual (Brake section: Parking Brake – drum-in-disc), the Subaru Electronic Parts Catalogue for SF-series Forester (1997–2002), and aftermarket catalogues such as Bendix Australia list dedicated rear parking-brake shoes for this model. Depending on market and trim, some 1998 Foresters also used drum brake shoes for the rear service brakes, where rear discs are fitted, the car still uses “drum-in-hat” brake shoes for the handbrake inside the rear rotor hat. Haynes/Gregory’s manuals covering Subaru Impreza/Forester of this era describe the same configuration.

On a 1998 Forester, brake shoes do one of two jobs: either they’re the main rear brakes (on drum-equipped variants), or they act purely as the parking brake inside the rear disc rotor. In both cases, the shoe linings press outward against a drum surface to create holding or stopping force. For disc-brake cars, the shoes don’t handle day-to-day stopping but are crucial for parking stability, hill holds, and WOF/regos — if they’re weak, the lever travel gets long and the car won’t hold on an incline.

Servicing is straightforward and well worth doing. When the rear discs are fitted, the rotor needs to come off to access the drum-in-hat shoes, back off the star-wheel adjuster through the access hole and release the handbrake before removal. It’s smart to replace shoes as an axle set and fit a fresh spring/hardware kit at the same time. Clean the drum surface, check for scoring or heat spots, and avoid contaminating the linings with grease. Lubricate only the shoe pivot points and backing plate contact spots with a small amount of high-temp brake grease.

Adjustment matters. After refitting, wind the star wheel until the drum just kisses, then back it off slightly so the wheel spins freely. Finish with the cable adjustment at the lever to the manufacturer’s spec. Follow the shoe maker’s bed-in procedure, light, repeated applications at low speed help the linings conform for a dependable hold.

Common cues it’s time for attention:

• Handbrake won’t hold the vehicle on a hill or needs excessive lever travel
• Scraping, grabbing, or uneven feel from the rear
• Contamination from a leaking axle seal or brake fluid

During routine servicing, a quick check of shoe lining thickness, hardware condition, cable movement, and drum surface can save hassle down the track. Quality parts and correct adjustment make a noticeable difference to parking performance, especially for Aussie and Kiwi driving where hills and boat ramps are part of life.

Popular questions about 1998 Subaru Forester brake shoes

Does a 1998 Subaru Forester have brake shoes?
Yes. All variants have brake shoes for the parking brake (drum-in-hat inside the rear discs), and some trims/markets used rear drum service brakes that also rely on shoes. Subaru’s 1998 Forester service manual and parts catalogues list the parking-brake shoes specifically for this model.

How often should the brake shoes be replaced?
There’s no fixed kilometre interval because wear depends on use and condition. Parking-brake shoes can last many years, but they should be inspected at regular services, and replaced if the lining is worn close to the service limit, contaminated, cracked, or the hardware is tired. If your Forester has rear drums, expect more routine wear and plan periodic replacement.

What are the signs the handbrake shoes need adjustment or replacement?
Look for long handbrake lever travel, poor holding on hills, scraping or grabbing noises from the rear, or visible contamination when the rotor/drum is off. After replacement, proper adjustment of the star wheel and cable is critical to restore a firm, predictable hold.