Parts for your 2000 Subaru Forester-Brake shoes

2000 Subaru Forester brake-shoes: what they do and when to replace them

Brake shoes are absolutely relevant to the 2000 Subaru Forester. Technical references including the Subaru Factory Service Manual for the SF-series (MY1998–2002), the Subaru parts catalogue used by dealers, and common aftermarket guides such as the Haynes Impreza/Forester manual confirm that this model range uses brake shoes. Depending on trim and market, the Forester may have rear drum brakes (service braking via shoes), or rear disc brakes with a drum-in-hat handbrake that uses dedicated parking-brake shoes. Either way, shoes are fitted to the rear.

On vehicles with rear drums, the shoes press outward against the drum to slow the car. On disc-brake rears, the handbrake shoes live inside the rotor “hat” and hold the car firmly when parked. Their job is simple: provide reliable friction, keep handbrake travel tidy, and help the Forester stop straight and true.

Regular servicing keeps them sweet. A good workshop will inspect shoe lining thickness, the condition of the drum/rotor hat, and the hardware—springs, levers, and the star-wheel adjuster. They’ll also check wheel cylinders on drum setups for any seepage. As a rule of thumb, have them inspected every 20,000 km or 12 months, sooner if you tow, hit gravel roads, or wade through mud and beach sand.

If lining thickness is down near 1.5–2.0 mm, or the material is glazed, chipped, oil-soaked, or uneven, replacement is smart. Parking-brake shoes on disc models often last ages, but they can corrode or delaminate if neglected. When replacing, it’s best practice to fit a hardware kit (springs and clips), clean the assembly with proper brake cleaner (not compressed air), and lightly scuff the drum/hat surface. After refitting, the adjuster should be set so the drum/hat just brushes, then backed off slightly, and the handbrake lever free play checked.

• Tell-tale signs they need attention:
  • Handbrake won’t hold on a hill or needs heaps of clicks
  • Scraping or grinding from the rear, hot brake smell after short drives
  • Pulsing or pulling at low speed stops (drum setups)

A short, gentle bed-in drive after replacement helps the new linings settle. Keep an ear out, and if the handbrake feels off or the rear end grumbles, get it looked at before the next big trip.

Does a 2000 Forester have rear drums or discs?

Both existed across trims and markets. Some 2000 Foresters run rear drum brakes, others have rear discs with a drum-in-hat parking brake. In either case, there are brake shoes fitted at the rear—either for service braking (drums) or for the handbrake (disc models).

How often should the brake shoes be replaced?

Have them inspected every 20,000 km or 12 months. Replace if the lining is down near 1.5–2.0 mm, contaminated, cracked, or the handbrake won’t hold properly. Parking-brake shoes on disc models can last well over 100,000 km, but adjustment and hardware condition are just as important as thickness.

Can the shoes be changed without replacing hardware?

You can, but it’s not ideal. Fresh springs, clips, and a clean, free-moving adjuster make a huge difference to pedal feel and handbrake bite. If a wheel cylinder is weeping on a drum setup, replace or rebuild it at the same time, or the new linings can get contaminated.