Parts for your 2017 Subaru Impreza-Brake shoes

Brake Shoes on the 2017 Subaru Impreza: What You Need to Know

When it comes to the braking system on the 2017 Subaru Impreza, it's important to understand whether brake shoes play a role or not. Brake shoes are a component typically found in drum brake systems, where they push outwards against a drum to create friction and slow the vehicle down. However, the 2017 Subaru Impreza does not use brake shoes as part of its braking setup.

Instead, the 2017 Subaru Impreza is equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels. These brakes use brake pads that clamp onto a spinning rotor to provide stopping power. Disc brakes have become the standard for modern vehicles thanks to their superior performance, especially in wet conditions, better heat dissipation, and easier maintenance compared to drum brakes with brake shoes.

So why aren't brake shoes used on the 2017 Subaru Impreza? The main reasons boil down to performance and reliability. Disc brakes with brake pads offer more consistent stopping power, better resistance to fading under repeated braking, and easier inspection during routine maintenance. In contrast, brake shoes and drum brakes are often found on older or more basic vehicles, mostly on rear wheels, because of their simpler, lower-cost design.

For the 2017 Subaru Impreza, the braking system's focus on safety and efficiency means disc brakes fitted with pads are the way to go. The absence of brake shoes helps ensure the vehicle delivers responsive and dependable braking performance every time the driver steps on the pedal. So if someone is servicing or maintaining their Subaru Impreza, they won't be dealing with brake shoes but rather brake pads and rotors.

Knowing that brake shoes are not used on the 2017 Subaru Impreza helps clarify what parts you'll be working with. If you're thinking about servicing the brakes yourself or getting it done at a workshop, you'll mainly encounter disc brake components such as:

• Brake pads
• Brake rotors (discs)
• Calipers

These parts need regular checks and replacement as they wear out to keep the braking system in top shape. Brake pads, for example, gradually wear thin and must be replaced to maintain proper braking efficiency and avoid damage to rotors.

Even though brake shoes are irrelevant to the 2017 Subaru Impreza's braking system, understanding their role is useful for anyone familiar with older vehicles or those with drum brakes. Brake shoes function by pressing outwards against the inside of a drum, creating the friction needed to slow the vehicle down. They are typically made of a felt-metal composite material bonded or riveted to a curved metal backing plate. Over time, as the vehicle is driven, the lining on brake shoes wears down, requiring replacement to prevent poor braking performance and potential damage.

Replacing brake shoes involves removing the drum brakes and carefully handling springs and clips under tension, which can be trickier than replacing brake pads on disc brakes. This maintenance is usually less frequent for drum brakes but remains essential for ensuring safe vehicle operation.

For Subaru Impreza owners, understanding that their vehicle uses disc brakes instead means their maintenance checklist looks different. Brake pad replacement intervals vary but generally fall between 30,000 to 70,000 kilometres depending on driving style, conditions, and type of pads used. It's always a good idea to inspect the brakes during routine servicing or if any symptoms like squealing, grinding noises, or reduced responsiveness appear.

Regular brake inspections help detect wear or damage early, allowing for timely servicing. Apart from replacing worn brake pads, rotor condition should be checked. Rotors can become warped or scored and may need resurfacing or replacement to ensure smooth braking.

Brake fluid is another critical part of the brake system that needs attention. While it doesn't directly relate to brake shoes or pads, maintaining clean and effective brake fluid helps the entire braking system work reliably. Contaminated or old brake fluid can reduce braking efficiency and cause components to malfunction.

In the case of the 2017 Subaru Impreza, tyre condition and alignment also complement the brake system's performance. Worn or improperly aligned tyres can affect stopping distances and vehicle stability during braking, so these should be checked along with brake components.

To keep the brakes performing well, Subaru recommends regular servicing based on mileage or time intervals outlined in the owner's manual. This ensures pad and rotor wear are monitored and brake fluid is refreshed when needed. Professional servicing provides peace of mind with expert inspection and use of quality parts tailored to the Impreza.

In short, brake shoes do not factor into the braking system of the 2017 Subaru Impreza because it uses a modern, efficient disc brake setup. Understanding this helps owners and mechanics focus on what really matters: maintaining and replacing brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid to keep the vehicle safe and stopping exactly when it should.