Parts for your 2009 Subaru Forester-Brake shoes

2009 Subaru Forester brake shoes — what they do and when to replace them

Referencing the Subaru Forester (SH, 2009) Service Manual brake system description, the Subaru Genuine Parts Catalogue for 2009 Forester, and reputable repair catalogues such as Bendix Australia and the Haynes Forester 2009–2014 manual, this model runs ventilated front discs and solid rear discs with a drum-in-hat parking brake. That means it does have brake shoes — but they’re dedicated to the handbrake inside the rear rotors, not the foot-operated service brakes.

On the 2009 Forester, the brake shoes are there to hold the vehicle securely when parked. They sit inside the “hat” section of the rear brake rotors and expand against the inner drum surface when the handbrake is pulled. Unlike the disc pads, these shoes aren’t doing the day-to-day stopping, so they generally wear more slowly. Still, they’re crucial for safe hill holds, trailer work and those everyday park-ups on sloped kerbs.

Good servicing practice is to inspect the parking brake shoes and hardware whenever the rear rotors or pads are off, or at regular brake checks. Look for glazing, cracking, contamination (from grease or road grime), and uneven or excessive wear. While there’s no set kilometre interval for replacement, shoes often last well past 100,000 km if the handbrake is used sensibly. Replace the shoes once they’re below Subaru’s service limit or if the lining shows signs of delamination or heat damage. If the handbrake lever travel feels long, or the car won’t hold on a hill, adjust the star wheel inside the drum-in-hat and confirm lever travel is within a sensible range of clicks, if not, check cable condition and equaliser balance.

When renewing shoes, always do both sides together, and fit fresh hardware (springs and retainers) so the return action is crisp. Clean the drum surface in the rotor hat and deglaze lightly if needed. Avoid breathing brake dust — use approved brake cleaner and a mask, not compressed air. After installation, adjust to a light drag, back off slightly, then bed-in with a few gentle, low-speed handbrake applications on a quiet, flat road. Re-torque the wheels to the factory spec and recheck the adjustment after a short drive. Keeping the handbrake mechanism lubricated at the pivot points and ensuring the cables move freely will help the shoes last and keep the lever feel nice and positive.

• Telltale signs: poor hill-hold, scraping from the rear when parked rolling, excessive lever travel, or a grabbing/uneven feel on engagement.

Does a 2009 Subaru Forester have brake shoes?

Yes. It uses rear disc brakes for normal stopping, and separate drum-style parking brake shoes inside the rear rotors for the handbrake.

How often should the parking brake shoes be replaced?

There’s no strict kilometre interval. Inspect them during routine brake services. Many sets last well over 100,000 km, but replace when worn to the service limit, contaminated, cracked, or if handbrake performance drops.

Can the handbrake be adjusted on this model?

Yes. There’s a star-wheel adjuster inside the drum-in-hat. Set to slight drag, then back off so the lever has a sensible number of clicks. If the lever travel is still long, check the cable and equaliser. Always chock the wheels before adjusting.