Parts for your 2013 Subaru Xv-Brake shoes

2013 Subaru XV brake shoes — what they do and when to replace

Technical sources confirm brake shoes are relevant to the 2013 Subaru XV. The Subaru Factory Service Manual for the GP/GP7 platform (Impreza/XV, Brake and Parking Brake sections) specifies a rear disc brake with a drum-in-hat parking brake that uses brake shoes. Subaru’s genuine parts catalog for the 2013 XV also lists parking brake shoes and related hardware. So, while the XV uses brake pads for the main braking on all four corners, it relies on internal brake shoes inside the rear rotors for the handbrake.

On the 2013 Subaru XV, the brake shoes live inside the “hat” of the rear brake rotors and only come into play when the parking brake is applied. Their job is simple but vital: hold the car steady on a hill, during parking, or as a backup mechanical restraint. Because they’re not used for regular stopping, they usually wear far slower than the brake pads, but they still need periodic checks.

Good servicing practice is to inspect the parking brake shoes whenever the rear rotors are off, or at least at major services. Look for lining thickness, glazing, contamination from grease or brake fluid, and condition of the return springs and adjuster. If the shoes are oil-soaked or heavily glazed, replacement is the go, they won’t bite properly even if adjusted.

Adjustment matters. Excessive lever travel, a weak hold on a hill, or a scraping noise at low speed can point to worn or misadjusted shoes. After replacement, the shoes should be adjusted at the star wheel and the lever travel checked in the cabin. It’s best practice to replace shoes in axle pairs and refresh the hardware kit if the springs are tired.

• Typical inspection interval: every 40,000–60,000 km or when rear brakes are serviced.
• Replace if the lining is near the service limit, cracked, glazed, or contaminated.
• After fitting, bed the parking brake by gentle applications at low speed to seat the linings.

Done right, the XV’s parking brake shoes deliver reliable hill-hold and peace of mind, especially for those parking nose-out on steep Kiwi or Aussie driveways.

FAQs

Does the 2013 Subaru XV have brake shoes or pads?
The XV has both. It uses disc pads for the main service brakes front and rear, and separate brake shoes inside the rear rotors for the mechanical parking brake. The shoes don’t stop the car in normal driving, they hold it when parked.

How often should the parking brake shoes be replaced?
They often last many years because they’re used only when parking. Plan to inspect them every 40,000–60,000 km or whenever the rear rotors are off. Replace if thin, glazed, or contaminated, or if the handbrake won’t hold after proper adjustment.

What are signs the XV’s brake shoes need attention?
Common signs include long handbrake lever travel, poor holding on hills, scraping or grinding from the rear at low speeds, or a burning smell after parking on a slope. Any contamination with oil or grease is a prompt for replacement.