Parts for your 2020 Subaru Impreza-Brake shoes

2020 Subaru Impreza brake shoes — what they do and when to replace them

According to Subaru’s factory service information (STIS service manual, Rear Disc Brake — Parking Brake [Drum-in-Hat] section) and the Subaru genuine parts catalogue for the 2020 Impreza, this model runs four-wheel disc brakes for service braking and uses small brake shoes only for the mechanical parking brake inside the rear brake rotor “hat”. So, yes — brake shoes are fitted, but they’re for holding the car when parked, not for slowing it while driving.

Those parking brake shoes sit inside a tiny drum that’s cast into the rear rotors. When the handbrake lever is pulled, a cable expands the shoes outward against that inner drum to lock the rear wheels. It’s a simple, robust setup that gives consistent holding power without affecting the hydraulic disc brakes used for normal stopping.

Because they’re not working hard like pads and rotors, these shoes usually last ages. Still, they can glaze, wear, go out of adjustment, or get contaminated by brake dust or a weeping hub seal. Subaru’s service literature calls for regular inspection and adjustment, a good rule in Australia and New Zealand is to have them checked every 30,000–40,000 km, or annually if the car often parks on steep streets or tows.

Owners should watch for tell-tales that the parking brake shoes need attention:

• Excessive lever travel or a spongy feel before the brake holds
• Weak holding on hills even with the lever pulled firmly
• Scraping noises from the rear when the handbrake is applied
• Dragging or heat from a rear wheel after release (misadjustment)

When replacement is due, a technician will remove the rear rotors to access the shoes, replace them in axle pairs, and fit a fresh hardware/spring kit. It’s smart to clean the drum surface inside the rotor hat and lightly lubricate the shoe contact points with the correct high-temp brake grease. After refit, the star wheel adjuster is set so the shoes just kiss the drum, then backed off slightly for free rotation, and final cable free-play is checked at the lever.

Quality shoes bed in quickly with a few gentle handbrake applications at very low speed on a safe, private surface. With periodic inspection and proper adjustment, the 2020 Impreza’s parking brake shoes will give reliable, drama-free holding for many years.

Popular questions about 2020 Subaru Impreza brake shoes

Does the 2020 Subaru Impreza have brake shoes or only pads?
The 2020 Impreza has both. It uses disc pads for normal braking at all four wheels. It also has small brake shoes inside the rear rotors that operate the mechanical parking brake.

How long do the parking brake shoes last on a 2020 Impreza?
They often last well beyond 100,000 km because they’re only used when parked. Longevity depends on terrain and use, regular inspections every 30,000–40,000 km help catch wear or glazing early.

What are the signs the parking brake shoes need adjustment or replacement?
Look for long handbrake travel, weak holding on hills, scraping noises when applied, or dragging after release. Any of these call for inspection, adjustment, and possibly new shoes and hardware.