Parts for your 2016 Subaru Outback-Brake shoes

2016 Subaru Outback brake-shoes — are they used?

Based on technical sources, brake shoes are not used on the 2016 Subaru Outback. Subaru’s Factory Service Manual for the 2015–2017 Legacy/Outback (Brake System, Electronic Parking Brake section) specifies an electronic parking brake with an actuator built into each rear caliper, so the car relies on four-wheel disc brakes with pads rather than any drum-in-hat handbrake shoes. Matching this, the Subaru Australia/NZ parts catalogues for MY16 Outback (BS series) list rear disc pads and electric rear calipers, but no parking-brake shoe assemblies. Independent repair guides that cover the 2015–2019 Legacy/Outback platforms also note there’s no rear drum handbrake on EPB-equipped models.

What that means for owners is simple: the Outback’s service and parking braking are both handled by disc brake pads at each wheel, with the parking function applied by electric motors on the rear calipers. There aren’t any brake-shoes to replace or adjust on this model.

For brake servicing on a 2016 Outback, focus shifts to the disc brakes and the electronic parking brake (EPB):

• Rear pad replacement needs EPB “service mode” or caliper motor retraction with the correct tool to avoid damage.
• Inspect pad thickness at each service or every 10,000–15,000 km, and replace when friction material nears the wear limit noted in the FSM or when the wear indicator squeals.
• Check rotors for runout, scoring and minimum thickness