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Brake job questions; replacing caliper, possibly rotors, definitely pads


EastwoodDoubleK

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Hi all, I've done some searches on my questions, but I thought I would get some more opinions on my issues/parts options.

 

Some random info that's applies to this:

-This is my DD, I don't track it/autoX or anything like that aside from spirited driving every once in a while, so I don't want really want performance pads/rotors or anything special.

-I get a pretty decent discount at NAPA, so I would prefer to get my parts through them.

 

CALIPERS

-I'm going to be replacing my front left caliper on my '05 LGT wagon shortly, as one of the pistons has seized. Should I replace the passenger side as well? Any recommendations on caliper brands? Napa options are

-NAPA Total Eclipse semi loaded

-Nu Geon w/caliper and hardware only

 

At my local brake specialty store the options are:

-Undercar express

-Centric

 

 

 

-I've got a grinding noise coming from the rear brakes, not sure if it's left or right side, but it happens consistently, not just when braking. The noise gets "faster", if that makes sense, the faster I drive, so I assume there's something hitting at a certain point causing the grinding noise.

 

-I'm experiencing a steering wheel shake when I brake down to a stop coming off of an exit ramp, I've read that it could be warped rotors, but it could also be the seized piston in the caliper, or it could be pad deposits on the rotor.

 

ROTORS

-Either way, I need to at least turn my existing rotors as there is a few mm of visible wear where the pad makes contact with the rotor. Kind of looks like this: http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/attachments/eng-soon-auto/63023d1407142484-3-things-look-out-you-brakes-rotor-wear1151033751.jpg but not as extreme.

 

I was thinking of possibly buying new rotors, and was thinking of either:

Centric C-Tek Standard, http://knsbrakes.com/c/car-series/919_2005+Subaru+Legacy+Wagon++-+2.5+GT/274_Centric+C-Tek+Standard+Brake+Rotor+-+Single+Rotor

 

Centric Premium, http://knsbrakes.com/c/car-series/919_2005+Subaru+Legacy+Wagon++-+2.5+GT/273_Centric+Premium+Brake+Rotor+-+Single+Rotor

 

Or Napa Ultra Premium. The only reason I'm considering those is I can get a pretty decent discount on what I buy through NAPA.

 

Again, this car is my DD, I don't track it or anything like that. What's the advantage of the Centric Premium vs the standard? If there's not much of a difference I'd much rather go with the less expensive of the two, as I'm moving to Georgia from Minnesota soon and could spend the $ I save on other maintenance.

 

PADS

-I'll probably pick up Akebono pads from NAPA because of the aforementioned discount, and I've heard they're basically OE pads, but I'm open to suggestions.

 

 

I know this is a lot of info, but I'm kind of overwhelmed with my options and what I should do first for repairs. Thanks for all help in advance!!

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Lots of guy's use KNSbrakes. He has good prices.

He also post on here from time to time.

 

Are you doing the work yourself ?

 

I put anti-sieze compound on my lug studs to keep that issue from happening.

 

IMO you should replace all 4 rotors and pads from KNS, get the one caliper without pads.

 

Pick up a jar of Permatex brake grease, pull the slide pins from your 3 good brackets and lube them with the grease, if you have trouble with the rubber sleve on the lower pins, just remove it, other have with no issues. Make sure you get the rubber boots on the slide pins reseated well, they keep water out.

 

Put anti-seize on all the bolts, Use PB Blaster to aid in removing the bolts.

 

You may have to back off the park brakes from inside the rear rotors, its easy once you get the rubber plug out. I believe you turn the star wheel up to back them off.

 

http://people.csail.mit.edu/ilh/vacation/ that's the service manuals.

 

If you find "covertrussians" thread in the 4th Gen forum he may have some pictures that may help you.

 

here, http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/covertrussians-05-lgt-build-thread-218363.html

305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD).  CHECK your oil, these cars use it.

 

Engine Build - Click Here

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Lots of guy's use KNSbrakes. He has good prices.

He also post on here from time to time.

 

Are you doing the work yourself ?

 

I put anti-sieze compound on my lug studs to keep that issue from happening.

 

IMO you should replace all 4 rotors and pads from KNS, get the one caliper without pads.

 

Pick up a jar of Permatex brake grease, pull the slide pins from your 3 good brackets and lube them with the grease, if you have trouble with the rubber sleve on the lower pins, just remove it, other have with no issues. Make sure you get the rubber boots on the slide pins reseated well, they keep water out.

 

Put anti-seize on all the bolts, Use PB Blaster to aid in removing the bolts.

 

You may have to back off the park brakes from inside the rear rotors, its easy once you get the rubber plug out. I believe you turn the star wheel up to back them off.

 

http://people.csail.mit.edu/ilh/vacation/ that's the service manuals.

 

If you find "covertrussians" thread in the 4th Gen forum he may have some pictures that may help you.

 

here, http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/covertrussians-05-lgt-build-thread-218363.html

 

Yes, I'm doing the work myself, with the help of a fellow Subaru friend..

 

Thanks for the advice on KNS, that's where I was going to purchase the Centric rotors if I went that route.

 

And I most definitely appreciate the link to the service manual, I've been on the lookout for one for a while!

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Have you inspected the right front caliper? I'm going to replace both when I do new pads in the Spring. I'm amazed at the condition of the rubber and pistons on both. I imagine where you live the condition would be worse.

 

I've not inspected the other front caliper yet.. but I'll be checking it out here shortly.

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You will want the Centric Premiums coupled with Hawk HPS in my opinion. Great setup and we have installed literally 1000s of these setups since 2001. Very rarely do we have any issues and we have a statistically huge pool of people we've installed these for.

 

Ken at KNS is a great guy and a great place to buy from. We can also drop ship a complete car setup to you as well.

 

-Mike Paisan

 

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/153798190.jpg

Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Enthusiasts since 2001.

Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) |AIM: AZP Installs

"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

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You will want the Centric Premiums coupled with Hawk HPS in my opinion. Great setup and we have installed literally 1000s of these setups since 2001. Very rarely do we have any issues and we have a statistically huge pool of people we've installed these for.

 

Ken at KNS is a great guy and a great place to buy from. We can also drop ship a complete car setup to you as well.

 

-Mike Paisan

 

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/153798190.jpg

Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Enthusiasts since 2001.

Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) |AIM: AZP Installs

"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

 

 

I appreciate the input. I'm definitely going with the Centric Premiums, not sure if I'll be able to get the Hawks however, I'm going to do my timing shortly here as well, and Akebonos are significantly less expensive at half the price.

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Hawks are worth the extra money if you can squeeze it out. The Premiums on the Centric are good because the tops are coated especially in MN winters.

 

-Mike Paisan

 

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/153798190.jpg

Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Enthusiasts since 2001.

Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) |AIM: AZP Installs

"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

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