I have a 97 L with rear drums. I have wrx rear calipers, rotors, and backing plates. is this all i need or will i need disc brake specific hubs and spindle?
the disc backing plates will bolt right up to the drum knuckles. BUT, the hub has to be pressed out of the bearing to get the backing plates off/on. For most people, this means buying the whole assembly is the best option. but if you've got access to a press, totally do-able. I think I've also heard that ebrake cables are slightly different, but can be made to work. someone would have to confirm that, though.
The hubs and spindles are not brake specific, you'll be able to use the disc backing plates on the spindles you have. In addition to what you've listed you'll also need the parking brake parts, (shoes, springs, etc), and you'll need different ebrake cables. I think napa sells those parts, and I'm pretty sure they're the same across many rear disc imprezas. The drum cables might work, but the clip that holds them to the backing plate is different. I would also recommend putting in new bearings and seals since you'll have to pull the bearing apart to change the backing plate. I got the bearings and seals at napa and used an $85 hub tool from harbor freight to press the bearings in. You'll also need different rear brake lines that what the drums use, wrx lines will work but the clip that holds them to the strut might be different (zip ties work). You may need new banjo bolts and washers if your calipers didn't come with them. I found them at Napa too (two bolts, four washers). I think they only have one fine thread metric size, but it was the right size.
looking at the backing plate and getting under the car and looking at the knuckle i kinda figured this was the case. thanks to dan moore i have everything else, so i will be playing with a press this weekend. thanks for the definite answers though.
With just a gear puller you can pull the hub out of the knuckle. I would not be afraid of re-using the current bearings, but if you have them apart throw some high quality bearing grease on them before reassembly. I have been lucky with bearings and have only replaced the ones in my Impreza once in 190K. I say run bearings until they die.
lol, i have mengo's old L wagon, the one that hit a curb sideways at 40mph or so, i have already repacted the drivers side once when i replaced the mangled hub. whats another repack gonna hurt?
