Parts for your 2013 Subaru Legacy-Brake shoes

2013 Subaru Legacy brake-shoes: how they work and when to service them

Yes, brake-shoes are relevant on the 2013 Subaru Legacy. According to the Subaru Workshop Manual for BM/BR models (2010–2014) and the OEM parts catalogue, this Legacy runs disc brakes front and rear for service braking, and a drum-in-hat parking brake built into the rear rotors that uses dedicated brake-shoes. Those shoes don’t stop the car from speed, they lock the rear wheels when parked.

On this model, the rear rotor has a small drum machined into the hat section. The brake-shoes sit inside that drum and expand to hold the car when the handbrake is applied. Because they’re only used for parking, they tend to wear slowly, but they can glaze, corrode, delaminate from age, or go out of adjustment. That’s why they’re worth a look during routine servicing.

For everyday owners, the goal is reliable holding on hills and consistent lever travel. A tech will usually check shoe lining thickness, the condition of the drum surface inside the rotor, and the return springs and adjuster. They’ll also clean out brake dust, lightly deglaze the drum and shoe faces if needed, and reset the shoe-to-drum clearance at the star-wheel so the handbrake bites evenly without dragging. Lever or pedal travel that’s crept up is a tell-tale that adjustment is due.

• Common symptoms: poor holding on a slope, handbrake needing too many clicks, scraping or grabbing when parked, or a rear wheel that feels hot after a drive (possible drag).
• Servicing tips: inspect at least every 20,000–30,000 kilometres or annually, especially if the car sees beach roads or winter grit, replace shoes in axle sets, renew hardware (springs/retainers) with the shoes, and check the rotor’s drum surface—replace or machine if it’s scored or rust-pitted.
• After replacement: bed the brake-shoes in with a few gentle parking-brake applications at low speed, then recheck adjustment. Always follow the Subaru workshop manual for procedures and torque specs.

Look after the parking brake-shoes and the Legacy rewards with a firm, confidence-inspiring handbrake that passes WOF/RWC checks without drama. It’s a small job that makes a big difference when you’re parking on a steep Kiwi street or an Aussie driveway.

Popular questions about 2013 Subaru Legacy brake-shoes

Do the 2013 Legacy’s rear brakes use pads or brake-shoes?
Both. The rear service brakes use pads on a disc, while the parking brake uses small drum brake-shoes inside the rear rotor hat. The shoes are just for holding the car when parked.

How often should the parking brake-shoes be adjusted or replaced?
Have them inspected and adjusted during regular servicing (about every 20,000–30,000 kilometres or yearly). Replacement is only needed if the linings are worn, cracked, oil-contaminated, or the drum surface is damaged. After any work, confirm lever travel is consistent and the car holds on a hill.

Will worn brake-shoes fail a WOF or RWC?
They can. If the parking brake won’t hold on a gradient, needs excessive lever travel, or the linings are below minimum, it may not pass. Addressing adjustment and shoe condition usually sorts it quickly.