I need to replace the front pads on my 99 Forrester. Are there any special tools needed to do this??? Thanks Also, are NAPA brake pads good??

Shouldn't take any special tools, just the regular metrics. Get a caliper compressor (like 5 bucks), but I use a regular c clamp to compress the caliper back in. Have some wire handy to hold the caliper up to the spring. Some people have issues, excessive squeaking, rotor warping, short pad life, when mixing aftermarket pads with stock rotors.

 

I just changed all my brakes with all aftermarket, non oem - no problems thus far, and it cost me under 100$ to do the front pads and rotors and rear pads.

and I used after market Aussie pads on the front and Subaru on the rear.

I sprayed the rear of the pad with anti squeak and used brake lube also.

No squeaks so far. I used an old bungie cord to hold up the caliper. Pretty easy.

For off brand brake parts I prefer Bendix from Advance Auto. With that said I won't put anything but OEM on our outback. The OEM brake pads come with the shims, guides, and lubricant that are necessary to do a proper job.