Factory Subaru Brakes

Subaru Brakes: DIY Care Tips, Made Easy

Nothing worse than a brake warning lighting up the dash. Except maybe shuddering or grinding when you brake. Or pulling sideways. Or having brake pressure or pedal problems. They mean you probably need new brakes -- and that you should replace them ASAP, before brake problems become accidents.

Thing is, the trouble could be anything. Buildup or corrosion around the brake caliper seals, squealing, a brake fluid leak into the engine compartment and onto the wheels -- probably the calipers themselves. Vibrating when braking, or taking longer to slow down and stop? Probably the brake pads. (Most likely, if the pads are damaged or worn out.) Warp or damage to the brake rotors, though --obviously, the rotors.

Pays to be sure, though, before you do any repairs; inspect the brake pedal, check your brake fluid, look at the lines, hoses, and assemblies, and don't forget to check the parking brake. Replace whatever the results call for.

You can take care of a job like brake replacement yourself, luckily; it's pretty straightforward. Shop our brake parts, and you can even save some money, too; they're Subaru quality and cheaper than MSRP.

To keep them working right, longer, though, you should follow some care and maintenance advice.

Inspect Pads and Rotors Regularly

Heat wears out brake pads frequently; bad pads mean grinding rotors -- pretty much guaranteed brake damage. Keep an eye on the quality of the pads and their thickness; replace them if they get below your owner's manual's recommendations. Checking on both is as easy as taking off a tire and taking a look. When in doubt, have a Subaru dealer or an authorized Subaru service center check them out.

Flush Brake Fluid Every 25,000 Miles

Fluid is what drives the hydraulic pressure that runs your brake system. Moisture can infiltrate, sometimes, though, and that'll not only corrode metal parts but also cut the fluid's boiling point and make it less effective. Checking the fluid -- and changing it when it gets cloudy -- should keep that from happening.

Bleed Brake Lines Every 2-3 Years

By "bleed," is meant getting rid of excess air in the system, which can negatively affect how well it works. You can take care of this during regular brake inspection by stepping on the brake pedal while adjusting the bleeder valve.

Upgrade Brake Parts

Parts that are more durable or work better are key here. Slotted disc brakes, for instance, resist heat better, and ceramic brake pads, for another example, produce less brake dust to gunk things up. Put simply, updates mean brake longevity.

Avoid Causing Common Brake Problems

You can do this by only towing and hauling as much as your vehicle's rated for, not braking unnecessarily, late, or hard, and avoiding stressing the brakes in wet weather. It'll go a long way toward your brakes lasting.