Parts for your 2013 Subaru Legacy-Brake shoes

Brake Shoes and the 2013 Subaru Legacy: What You Need to Know

When it comes to the braking system of the 2013 Subaru Legacy, you won't find brake shoes playing a role. That's because this vehicle is equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels, not drum brakes. Brake shoes are typically part of drum brake assemblies, which are less common on modern cars, especially on mid-sized sedans like the Legacy. So why is this the case?

Disc brakes have become the standard fitment for most passenger vehicles, including the Subaru Legacy, because they offer better stopping power, improved heat dissipation, and generally require less maintenance than drum brake setups. Disc brakes work using brake pads that clamp down on a spinning disc or rotor to slow the vehicle down. Conversely, brake shoes press outward against the inside of a drum to create friction and stop the car. This fundamental difference means that brake shoes are simply not relevant or installed in the braking system of the 2013 Subaru Legacy.

For the 2013 Subaru Legacy owner, this is good news. Maintaining disc brakes tends to be easier and the components are more readily available and widely understood. Plus, disc brakes are less prone to problems like heat fade under heavy braking - an important safety feature for anyone doing regular freeway driving or towing.

So what would you need to know if the Subaru Legacy did use brake shoes, and why the switch to disc brakes is so beneficial?

Brake shoes are curved pieces of metal lined with friction material that sit inside a drum. When you step on the brake pedal in vehicles fitted with drum brakes, hydraulics force the brake shoes outwards against the drum, causing friction which slows the rotation of the wheel. Drum brakes with brake shoes were common on older vehicles, especially on rear wheels, because they are cheaper to manufacture and can provide a decent braking force in many applications.

However, brake shoes and drum brakes require more frequent maintenance and can be trickier to service compared to disc brakes. Over time, brake shoes wear down and need replacing to maintain effective braking. Unlike disc brake pads, brake shoes can be harder for typical car owners to inspect without taking the drum off, which is not as straightforward as swapping out pads or rotors. Also, drum brakes can take longer to cool down after heavy usage, which can reduce braking performance temporarily - a problem called brake fade.

For vehicles that use brake shoes, including older Sedans or certain light trucks, it is recommended to regularly check the shoe lining thickness to ensure they are not worn too thin. Driving with worn brake shoes is dangerous as it can increase stopping distances or damage the drum, leading to costly repairs. During servicing, mechanics will typically measure the thickness of the brake shoes and inspect for cracks or glazing. If any of these issues are present, the shoes should be replaced.

Replacing brake shoes is usually done as part of a brake service which might include cleaning the drum, checking springs and other hardware, and sometimes resurfacing or replacing the drum itself. Servicing intervals depend on usage, but many manufacturers recommend brake shoe inspections every 20,000 to 30,000 kilometres, or sooner if braking feels less responsive.

With modern vehicles like the 2013 Subaru Legacy fitted with disc brakes, maintenance tends to focus on the brake pads, rotor condition, and brake fluid levels rather than brake shoes. Disc brakes offer the benefit of being easier to inspect visually and to replace parts, often without requiring specialist tools. This makes brake upkeep simpler and can also reduce the total cost of ownership over the years.

In short, brake shoes are simply not part of the braking setup on the 2013 Subaru Legacy. The vehicle utilises disc brakes all around to offer better stopping power, enhanced heat management, easier maintenance, and overall improved safety compared to older drum brake designs with brake shoes. For Legacy owners, concentrating on the pad and rotor condition during routine servicing will help keep the car stopping safely and efficiently on the road.