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Impreza Brake pads + fluid

Why do it

Tools you'll need

• Jack and jack stands
• 14mm and 17mm sockets
• C-clamp
• Wire brush
• Brake grease
• Brake bleeder kit or a helper
• Torque wrench
• Jack and jack stands
• 14mm and 17mm sockets
• C-clamp or piston tool
• Brake grease
• Brake bleeder kit or a helper
• Torque wrench
• Jack and jack stands
• 14mm and 17mm sockets
• C-clamp or caliper piston tool
• Wire brush
• Brake grease
• Brake bleeder kit or a helper
• Torque wrench
• Jack and jack stands
• 14mm and 17mm sockets
• C-clamp
• Brake grease
• Brake bleeder kit or a helper
• Torque wrench

Parts to buy

• EBC Redstuff front pads DP32330C (2017–2025) Low-dust ceramic street pad. Listed for 2017–2025 Impreza, including the RS.Fits 2017–2025 · 2.0L, RS 2.5L
• Hawk Performance Ceramic front pads HB970Z.665 (2017–2020) Quiet, low-dust street pad that bites harder than stock.Fits 2017–2020 · 2.0L
• Hawk HPS front pads HB711F.661 (2011–2016) Street performance pad. Listed for 2011 2.5i and Outback Sport, and every 2012–2016 Impreza.Fits 2011–2016 · 2.5L, 2.0L
• Hawk HPS front pads HB432F.661 (2002–2010) Street performance pad. Shims and brake grease included.Fits 2002–2010 · 2.5L
• Hawk HPS front pads HB352F.665 (1998–2001) Street performance pad for 1998–2001 L, Outback and 2.5RS.Fits 1998–2001 · 2.2L, 2.5RS
• Hawk HPS rear pads HB452F.545 (2004–2007) Rear set for 2004–2007 2.5RS, TS, 2.5i and Outback Sport.Fits 2004–2007 · 2.5L
• Hawk HPS rear pads HB557F.545 (2008–2016) Rear set for both sides.Fits 2008–2016 · 2.5L, 2.0L
• Motul RBF 600 DOT 4 brake fluid, 500ml (Impreza) High-temperature fluid. Get 2 bottles for a full flush.Fits 1998–2025 · 2.2L, 2.5RS, 2.5L, 2.0L, RS 2.5L

Double-check fitment before buying.

Steps

1. Remove the caliper and pads

   • Raise the front, remove the wheel and the two caliper bolts. Hang the caliper with a zip tie and slide the old pads out.
   ▶ Watch this step (TRQ, on a 1993–2001 Impreza) (0:00–1:56)

2. Clean the bracket

   • Wire-brush the spots where the pads sit, clean and re-grease the slide pins, and fit the pad clips.
   ▶ Watch this step (2:58–5:28)

3. Fit the pads and caliper

   • Push the piston back with a C-clamp, set the new pads in, refit the caliper and torque its bolts. Do the other side.
   ▶ Watch this step (5:28–6:55)

4. Finish up

   • Refit the wheels and pump the brake pedal until it's firm before moving the car.
   ▶ Watch this step (6:55–8:25)

5. Remove the wheel and caliper

   • Raise the front, remove the wheel, and undo the two caliper slide bolts. Hang the caliper on the spring with a zip tie, never by the hose.
   ▶ Watch this step (on a 2017 Impreza Sport) (0:23–1:16)

6. Swap the pads

   • Slide the old pads out of the bracket, move the clips over, and put a thin smear of brake grease on the pad ears (never the friction side).
   ▶ Watch this step (1:16–1:32)

7. Push the piston back and refit

   • Push the piston back with a C-clamp and an old pad, set the new pads in, refit the caliper and torque the slide bolts. Do the other side.
   ▶ Watch this step (1:32–2:52)

8. Remove the wheel and caliper

   • Raise the front, remove the wheel, and undo the caliper's two slide bolts. Hang the caliper with a zip tie, never by the hose.
   ▶ Watch this step (YOUCANIC, on a 2012–2016 Impreza) (0:14–1:11)

9. Push the pistons back

   • Use a C-clamp or piston tool with an old pad to push the pistons all the way back. Watch the fluid reservoir doesn't overflow.
   ▶ Watch this step (2:37–4:35)

10. Clean the bracket and slide pins

    • Wire-brush the spots where the pads sit, pull out the slide pins, clean them and coat them with fresh brake grease.
    ▶ Watch this step (4:35–7:14)

11. Fit the new pads and shims

    • Fit the clips and shims, put a thin smear of grease on the pad ears, and set the pads in the bracket.
    ▶ Watch this step (10:00–11:46)

12. Refit the caliper

    • Slide the caliper over the pads and torque the slide bolts. Do the other side.
    ▶ Watch this step (11:46–13:10)

13. Remove the caliper

    • Raise the front, remove the wheel and the two caliper bolts. Hang the caliper with a zip tie, never by the hose.
    ▶ Watch this step (Carsntoys, on a 2010 Impreza) (0:00–1:25)

14. Fit the new pads

    • Push the piston back with a C-clamp, move the clips over, smear brake grease on the pad ears and set the new pads in the bracket.
    ▶ Watch this step (4:00–5:20)

15. Check the slide pins

    • Pull the slide pins, clean them and coat them with fresh brake grease so the caliper moves freely.
    ▶ Watch this step (5:20–6:18)

16. Reassemble and test

    • Refit the caliper and torque its bolts, refit the wheel, and do the other side.
    ▶ Watch this step (6:18–8:15)

17. Remove the rear caliper

    • Raise the rear and remove the wheel. Remove the two caliper bolts, lift the caliper off and hang it with a zip tie, never by the hose. Slide the old pads out.
    ▶ Watch this step (on a 2006 Impreza) (1:23–2:14)

18. Push the piston back

    • Push the rear piston straight back with a C-clamp and an old pad. Watch the fluid reservoir doesn't overflow.
    ▶ Watch this step (9:14–10:08)

19. Grease and fit the new pads

    • Put a thin smear of brake grease on the pad ears and backs (never the friction side), fit the clips, and set the new pads in the bracket.
    ▶ Watch this step (10:42–11:36)

20. Refit the caliper

    • Set the caliper over the pads and torque its bolts to spec. Do the other side.
    ▶ Watch this step (10:08–10:42)▶ Watch the final check (11:36–12:35)

21. Remove the rear caliper

    • Raise the rear and remove the wheel. Remove the two 14mm caliper bolts, lift the caliper off and rest it where the hose isn't stretched.
    ▶ Watch this step (TRQ, on a 2012–2016 Impreza) (0:08–0:55)

22. Remove the old pads

    • Slide the old pads and shims out of the bracket.
    ▶ Watch this step (0:55–1:01)▶ Watch the shims come off (2:48–2:59)

23. Clean and grease the slide pins

    • Pull the slide pins, wipe off the old grease, coat them with fresh brake grease and push them back in. Put a little grease in the grooves where the clips sit.
    ▶ Watch this step (3:20–4:38)

24. Fit the clips and new pads

    • Fit the new clips/shims, then set the new pads in the bracket.
    ▶ Watch this step (4:38–4:52)▶ Watch the pads go in (5:17–5:28)

25. Push the piston back and refit the caliper

    • Push the rear piston straight back with large pliers or a pushback tool, set the caliper over the pads and torque its bolts to spec. Do the other side.
    ▶ Watch this step (5:28–6:02)

26. Get the master cylinder ready

    • Suck most of the old fluid out of the reservoir with a turkey baster and refill it with fresh fluid.
    ▶ Watch this step (TRQ, on a Subaru Outback; same order on the Impreza) (0:00–1:29)

27. Bleed the rears

    • Start at the right rear. Fit a clear hose to the bleed screw, have a helper hold the pedal down, open the screw, close it, and repeat until clean fluid with no bubbles comes out. Then the left rear.
    • Keep topping up the reservoir so it never runs dry.
    ▶ Watch this step (1:29–4:49)

28. Bleed the fronts

    • Do the right front, then the left front, the same way.
    ▶ Watch this step (4:49–5:54)

29. Check the fluid and bed in

    • Top the reservoir up to the MAX line and pump the pedal until it's firm before you move the car. Bed in the pads with several medium stops.
    ▶ Watch this step (5:54–7:34)

How to know it worked

• Firm pedal that doesn't sink.
• Car stops straight with no grinding.
• Firm pedal that doesn't sink.
• Car stops straight with no grinding.
• Firm pedal that doesn't sink.
• Car stops straight with no grinding.

Follow your part's instructions and your service manual's torque specs.