Parts for your 2013 Subaru Exiga-Brake shoes

2013 Subaru Exiga Brake Shoes

Brake shoes are indeed used on the 2013 Subaru Exiga. Technical sources including the Subaru Exiga YA-series Service Manual (Brake System—Parking Brake), Subaru’s Electronic Parts Catalogue (listing “Shoe Assy – Parking Brake” for 2008–2015 Exiga), and Subaru’s Global Technical Information System confirm the Exiga runs rear disc brakes for service braking, with an internal drum-in-hat parking brake that relies on brake shoes. So while the Exiga’s stopping power comes from pads and discs, the handbrake uses dedicated shoes inside the rear rotor hat.

These parking brake shoes clamp outward against the small drum surface cast into the rear brake rotor. Their job is to hold the car steady at a standstill—on steep Kiwi or Aussie hills, during towing hook-ups, or at the servo—without relying on the hydraulic disc system. Because they’re primarily for holding rather than high-speed stops, they wear slowly, but they can still glaze, corrode, or lose effectiveness if neglected.

For servicing, routine inspection is key. Most workshops check the Exiga’s handbrake shoes during scheduled brake services or tyre rotations. Lining thickness, even contact, and condition of the springs and hardware should be assessed. Subaru service data sets a specific service limit for the friction lining, if the material is near that limit (around 1.5 mm per typical Subaru guidance), replacement is recommended along with the return springs and hold-down hardware.

• Common signs they need attention:
  • Handbrake lever needs to pull up higher than usual, or the car won’t hold well on a hill.
  • Scraping or grinding from the rear when the handbrake is applied or released.
  • Uneven hold or a grabbing sensation at low speeds.
• Good servicing tips:
  • Replace shoes in axle pairs and fit a new hardware kit to keep spring tension correct.
  • Clean the drum surface and deglaze shoes, keep friction faces free of grease.
  • Lightly lubricate backing plate contact points and the star-wheel adjuster with high-temp brake grease.
  • Adjust the star wheel so the shoes just kiss the drum, then back off slightly for free rotation.
  • Check handbrake cable free play at the lever and adjust to spec in the service manual.
  • Bed in the new shoes with a series of gentle handbrake applications at low speed on a safe, flat road.

With proper inspection and adjustment, Exiga owners can expect long life from the handbrake shoes and a reliable park hold that keeps roadworthy/WOF inspectors happy.

FAQs

Does the 2013 Subaru Exiga have brake shoes or just pads?
The Exiga has both: disc pads for normal braking and internal drum-style brake shoes for the handbrake. The parking brake shoes sit inside the rear rotor hat and are separate from the disc pads.

How often should the Exiga’s handbrake shoes be replaced?
There’s no fixed kilometre interval, it’s condition-based. Most workshops inspect them annually or every 20,000 km. Replace when the lining approaches the Subaru service limit, if they’re glazed, oil-contaminated, or hardware is tired.

Can the Exiga’s handbrake shoes be adjusted?
Yes. They use a star-wheel adjuster inside the drum-in-hat. Correct adjustment, plus checking the lever cable free play, restores solid handbrake feel. It’s best handled by a qualified technician during routine servicing.