Factory Subaru Brake Rotors

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You already know what the rotors in disc brakes do, how they work, and when to replace them. Maybe you just hit that 70,000-mile mark. Or maybe you've noticed the signs they're going bad -- you know them well, and you've just started seeing them.

At any rate, you've run an inspection. Turns out you were right -- it's time to buy replacements. You've come to the right online parts store for them. What we sell is genuine Subaru, guaranteed to fit, and warranty-backed. Best of all, it's inexpensive; we mark down from MSRP, sometimes up to 35%.

It's how to actually do the replacing that's not so straightforward. Luckily, it's a job you can do yourself; all you need, besides some good safety goggles and work gloves, is a jack and jack stands, a lug wrench or socket set, a torque wrench, a C-clamp or brake piston tool, and some brake cleaner, anti-seize compound, and brake lubricant. (Putting on new brake pads is also recommended for best results.) Here's how to do it.

How to Replace Brake Rotors

Park on a flat surface.
Loosen your wheels' lug nuts.
Lift your vehicle with the jack and put jack stands under its frame or lifting points.
Take the lug nuts and wheels off.
Inspect the brake caliper assembly. If you need to, take the caliper mounting bolts off and suspend the caliper using a wire or bungee cord (this'll keep strain off the brake hose).
Take the old brake pads off the caliper bracket, if they're attached.
Inspect the rotor; look for any retaining screws or clips and take them off, then take the rotor off. Seem stuck? Tap it with a rubber mallet or loosen it with a rust penetrant.
Clean your new brake rotor thoroughly with brake cleaner; this'll get rid of any protective coating.
Put the new rotor on the wheel hub, sit it flush, and properly align it.
Put on any retaining screws or clips you took off the old rotor.
Put new brake pads on the caliper bracket.
Using that C-clamp or brake piston tool, compress the brake caliper piston fully into its housing. This'll correct for the new rotor's increased thickness.
Put brake lubricant on any spots where the brake pads contact the caliper brackets or assemblies.
Put the brake caliper assemblies over the new rotors and pads.
Put any caliper mounting bolts you took off back on and tighten them to Subaru specs.
Put the wheels back on and hand-tighten the lugs.
Lower your vehicle back down from the jack stands and use that torque wrench to tighten the nuts to the Subaru torque specs.
Test everything. Pump your brake pedal a few times before getting on the road to make sure the pads are contacting the new rotors the way they're supposed to. Then, take your ride for a short test drive, gradually increasing speed and stepping on the brakes to make sure they're working right.

Subaru probably has a bed-in process you can follow to make the most of the rotors and pads -- for these and other specifics about your model and how to put in its rotors, check your owner's manual or other documentation.