ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER

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PARTS MANAGER

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CLAIMS PERSONNEL

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IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.

SERVICE MANAGER

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© 2020 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:
SUBJECT:

2019-20 MY Ascent
Brake Pad Design Change

NUMBER: 06-78-20R
DATE: 08/18/20
REVISED: 08/18/21

INTRODUCTION:

This Bulletin announces availability of new front brake pad kit established to address concerns of
a squeaking sound heard when coming to a stop and / or a pulsation (judder) heard and felt during
braking. Strong pressure on the outside brake pad causes a stick / slip condition which can create the
sound condition. When the brake pads and rotor are both new, the brake friction is uneven and varies
between the pads and the rotor. Under this condition, a contact vibration occurs at the edge of the
brake pads, resulting in the squeak sound. A chamfer has been added to the edges of the front brake
pads shown in red on the illustration below. The new kit contains a packet of special brake grease
developed to work in conjunction with these new brake pads to prevent the contact vibration and
resulting squeak sound.
This latest version of these brake pads also includes an enhancement to their lining composition to
reduce pad marking of the rotor as a result of prolonged exposure to moisture. While normally not a
concern due to regular driving and braking, if the vehicle sits for extended periods, these pad marks
can impact the rotor surface causing a judder or pulsation condition to develop when the brakes are
applied. These new brake pads reduce this type of action on the rotor surface preventing recurrence
of the judder. Even with this enhancement, customers should still be encouraged to drive the vehicle
regularly and perform several stops to warm and dry the brakes before parking it again. This is
essential following activities such as car washing if the vehicle will not be driven again for some time
such as prior to leaving on a trip or vacation.

Chamfered Areas

CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles,
or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to
do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.

Subaru of America, Inc. is
ISO 14001 Compliant
ISO 14001 is the international standard for
excellence in Environmental Management
Systems. Please recycle or dispose of
automotive products in a manner that is friendly
to our environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.

Continued...
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PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:
The new brake pads were incorporated into production starting with VIN L3481299.
PART INFORMATION:
Description

Part Number

PAD KIT-FRONT DISK BRAKE**

26296XC00D

** This part number pad kit includes all the grease necessary for the repair. No additional grease is
required.

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.
In cases where there is an additional customer concern of judder (brake pedal pulsation) when
applying the brakes, it is CRITICAL for the condition to be properly diagnosed along with the
initial brake squeak concern. Follow the applicable Service Manual procedures for CAREFULLY
measuring:
•

Rotor surface parallelism

•

Rotor run-out

•

Rotor thickness to determine whether resurfacing can be completed with enough material
remaining to exceed minimum thickness requirements OR whether replacement will be required.

The basic service procedure for replacing the front brake pads remains unchanged although for this
special brake pad kit, it is CRITICAL the special lubrication procedure provided below be followed
closely to achieve the desired results. Always refer to the applicable Service Manual and review the
full requirements of the repair being performed. The Service Manual procedures contain information
critical to performing an effective repair the first time, every time.
CRITICAL Lubrication Grease Application Procedure:
IMPORTANT NOTES:
•

When addressing brake noise - related concerns, making any change to the rotors is NOT
recommended for this condition as this will remove any existing pad film transfer which is key to
eliminating this type of sound. If any concerns with the rotors such as judder / pulsation, heavy
ridge build up or other, resurface or replace the rotors as conditions dictate. If rotor condition
is acceptable and there are no judder complaints, reuse the rotors as-is for best results as seating
new pads to new or resurfaced rotors may result in a new sound until the pads are fully seated
and film transfer to the rotor is accomplished. Film transfer requires extensive driving and
braking and is not accomplished with any short test drive. Slight rotor surface imperfections will
not affect creation of squeal/ squeak sound.

•

IMPORTANT: BRAKE ROTOR REPLACEMENT SHOULD ONLY BE PERFORMED
WHEN ROTOR RESURFACING (IF DETERMINED NECESSARY) IS NOT A VIABLE
REPAIR OPTION.
Continued...
Page 2 of 4

•

Brake rotor resurfacing using a Subaru approved on-car brake lathe is required when performing
warranty repairs. This requirement is applicable when performing repairs to correct brake
judder.

•

Subaru of America has designated on-car brake rotor resurfacing equipment as required service
equipment for all retailers when performing warranty related brake rotor resurfacing. Approved
equipment options include:
○ Hunter Auto Comp Elite
○ Pro-Cut PFM 9.2
○ Pro-Cut PFM X9
○ Pro-Cut A10 Warthog
While no longer available, these additional options are also approved:
○ Hunter Quick Comp
○ Hunter OCL 400, OCL 410, or QCL
○ Pro-Cut 9.0 with internal rate sensors (serial number PFM-29771 and up
NOTE: Pro-Cut 9.0 brake lathes with serial numbers PFM-19010 – 29770 are fitted with
external rate sensors which will affect the speed and accuracy of the machine. These models, if in
good mechanical condition, can be upgraded to the internal rate sensor by an authorized Pro-Cut
representative. Once upgraded, the machine will be compliant and approved for use on Subaru
vehicles.

•

The caliper and mounting bracket surfaces where grease will be applied must be completely
clean. Be sure to remove any residual debris and ensure the surfaces are completely dry before
applying the grease to ensure a good bond with the surface.

Lubrication Application Instructions:
•

“A” and “B” (GREEN) AREAS: Must be lubricated with the special grease included in the pad
kit ONLY.

•

“C” (ORANGE) AREAS: Must NOT be lubricated at all.

REMINDER: The amount of grease included in the pad kit is sufficient to complete brake pad
replacement on both sides. No additional grease is required.

DO NOT lubricate
these areas at all.

Continued...
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WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period, this repair may be submitted using
the following claim information:
Labor Description

Labor
Operation #

Labor
Time

Fail Code

FRONT BRAKE PAD SET R&R

A511-101

0.5

QAU-25

NOTE: The Rotor Resurfacing coding information below is for use ONLY WHEN NECESSARY
ONE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR RESURFACE- ON CAR**

A511-111

0.5

BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS RESURFACE- ON CAR**

A511-114

1.0

ONE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR REPLACE**

A511-203

0.5

BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS REPLACE**

A511-204

0.8

QAW-10

** Includes brake pad and / or caliper bracket R&R, all brake rotor measurements and road testing.
For additional brake vibration diagnosis and repair information, refer to TSB 06-32-03.
REMINDER: BRAKE ROTOR REPLACEMENT SHOULD ONLY BE PERFORMED
WHEN ROTOR RESURFACING (IF DETERMINED NECESSARY) IS NOT A VIABLE
REPAIR OPTION.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
•

SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as previously
released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time.

•

Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.

•

Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

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