So today I was greeted by a fantastic SCREECHING AND WHINING as I entered the freeway, and for the rest of the ride home off and on. My brakes have definitely had it. The fronts are what are out, as far as I could tell from hearing the noise. Now, I'm curious. I've never done brakes before, and I've heard the can be "easy" to do, but I have no experience in that. Also, I'm wondering if I should stay with the stock brakes for the RS (GM8/MY2000) or if theres maybe some other set I could pay a slight bit more for but get more performance out of? Basically, I'd resolve to just taking it into the shop if I have to (it's at 105k miles so it needs its timing belt done anyways) but if this is something I could tool on myself, or with someone's help, and get a better set than stocks for not much more, I'd be just as willing to go that route. Of course, if someone helped me out, there'd be payment in the form of the beer and pizza type. Thanks for any and all help or suggestions you guys can give!
Brake Pads are easy as ****... 2 wrenches to get the Whole job done... including the one you need to get the wheel off. the only other thing you need is a C-Clamp or caliper compressor. You need to push the pistions back into the caliper so that you can install the new brake pads. If you've got tools, i may be able to help you, but not untill next week or so... As for an upgrade, i would just score some better pads. Hawk HPS pads can be had on the cheap side, and they are a pretty damn good pad for agressive street/light AutoX. i'd call the guys down at diversified cryogenics (Frozen Rotors) they can get them at a pretty good price. Personally, i'm really liking my Carbotech Bobcats, but they're Big $$$ and take a week + to get.
Awesome, I might be asking for your help then. Also, the site lists a "set" for $85.81. Is that pads for all 4 wheels? And if so, you said to call them; will that get me a better price than what they're listed for online? Thanks for your help.
85.81 is going to be one axel set. so 4 brake pads for 2 wheels. you might as well call them, and ask if they offer any discount to MNSubaru members... i believe that's where the brake parts group buy was done through. otherwise, check tire rack as well.. their pricing is pretty cheap too.
So is it normal for it to sound like I'm tearing a battleship in half when I'm driving forward? In reverse theres no noise. I even tried the "reseating" trick I've heard of where you bakc up fast and hit the brakes and hold em, but that didn't seem to change a thing. This has gotten really embarassing. It's a good thing I have my bike, even IF it's raining out, because I really don't want to drive the RS.
Ya, Talk to Mark Link at deversifed, and tell him you are part of mnsubaru, he should be able to shoot ya a deal. Russ
brakes are incredibly easy on a suabru. i believe you will need a 19mm (3/4" for wheels) and a 14mm for the caliper bolt. a viable option for an upgrade is the WRX breaks or the 4pots. if your in teh boat where you need to get new rotors pads, and calipers then there isnt much at all preventing hyou from getting wrs parts of 4pots from JDM cars or 06wrxs. good luck, if ya need help let me know. i think i am near your area.
we're also doing a timing belt not too long from now so if you would like some help...you can come by and do your timing belt with us...not sure of the date yet or if it's on yet but just a heads up.
if its grinding the way you say then buy a set of rotors.. takes about 20 miles to ruion a rotor with grinding.. even less... you will need a 14 wrench (calipers) and a 17 wrench (bracket bolts), remember to grease the slide bolts.. with that mileage you want to make sure everything slides freely or you will burn through your new pads quickly... also put some anti seize onto the hub area so the rotors dont rust on.... you may find out what I mean when you go to take your current ones off....
Make shure to get the synthetic caliper grease. Any old grease will turn to crud very quickly due to the heat. I've always just used a big set of channel locks to press the pistons back in. If the calipers are in good shape, it should be a piece of cake. I reccomend getting some nice pads. I've got Hawk HPS's in front and they work alot better than the $14.99 el-cheapo's.
