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Subaru Outback/Legacy Brakes

102 messages,  Last post on Aug 11, 2011 at 9:39 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Brakes, Sedan

Messages Page 4 of 11

#27 of 102 2003 Subaru Legacy Breaks and T Belt Tensioner Knocks by k2101

Jan 23, 2007 (10:03 pm)

I have a 03 legacy sedan, with 56k. I had the front brake pads done at 32500 and was told that the rear brake pads should last me twice as long. I took my car in about 2 weeks ago with 56k and I had to have both the front and rear brake pads and rotors replaced. I was also told that when I had the front brakes done at 32500 that they did the rear brakes as well. By the way this was all done at the Subaru dealership were I purchased the car with 7 miles on it. I am concerned because I was able to go 32500 with my first set of pads and them resurfacing the rotors the first time and I was only ably togo a third of the milage that I did previously and the had to replace the rotors????? Does this sound right?
 
I was also told that my T Belt Tensioner knocks when cold and that the fan belts are starting to crack.???
 
Can anyone recommend a mechanic in Colorado, Denver area?
 
I also had to update the computer in the car??? Re-Flash, Hardstart??? I really need help!!

#28 of 102 Re: 2003 Subaru Legacy Breaks and T Belt Tensioner Knocks [k2101] by paisan

Jan 23, 2007 (10:10 pm)

Replying to: k2101 (Jan 16, 2007 2:08 pm)
Well basically, when you resurface your rotors you take away material to make them smooth, this will decrease their lifespan. So getting only 1/3 more life out of them is not uncommon.
 
For the most part Front rotors last about 30-60k and rears about 50-80k. I never suggest resurfacing them. Pads usually last 20-40k on the Front and 40-80k on the rears.
 
It all depends on your driving style, traffic, etc.
 
-mike

#29 of 102 Re: 2003 Subaru Legacy Breaks and T Belt Tensioner Knocks [paisan] by xwesx

Jan 24, 2007 (12:16 am)

Replying to: paisan (Jan 23, 2007 10:10 pm)
Yeah, I am certainly not going to comment on the pads/rotors ( ), but for the belts, replace them. With that mileage and age, you are going to end up with a broken belt in the not-so-distant future. If you are not opposed to replacing them yourself, it is an inexpensive and simple job. I typically replace mine every 3rd year, which is about 50-60K miles. I never had one break on the '96 Subaru, but they were always full of little lateral cracks on the groove side after the first winter due to the extreme cold. Cracking on the back (smooth) side or splitting/cracking down the length of the belt is bad. If you lose the alternator belt, you also lose power steering, which makes the car a beast to drive (to put it mildly!). Without a spare on hand and the ability to change it, your drive time is limited to the amount of stored battery power on hand... maybe 30 miles? Consider belts cheap maintenance.

#30 of 102 Mechanics? Can you recommend by k2101

Feb 02, 2007 (11:29 am)

I live in Colorado and wanted to know if anyone can recommend a goof mechanic for a subaru????? Please help. I need to take the legacy in soon for the T Belt tensioner that is knocking>>>>

#31 of 102 Re: Mechanics? Can you recommend [k2101] by xwesx

Feb 02, 2007 (12:19 pm)

Replying to: k2101 (Feb 02, 2007 11:29 am)
Hahahaha.... I am not sure I would want a "goof mechanic" working on my car, but if the price is right.....

#32 of 102 ABS Light stays on by truckinpc

May 07, 2007 (8:50 pm)

I have a 2001 Outback Wagon, LL Bean edition. It currently has 119,000 miles and just this past weekend the ABS light comes on and does not go off when driving. According to the Owners manual we still have conventional brakes but have not been in a situation to prove it. Any suggestions on how to check or fix this ABS light?
Thanks.
 

#33 of 102 Re: ABS Light stays on [truckinpc] by paisan

May 08, 2007 (4:27 am)

Replying to: truckinpc (May 07, 2007 8:50 pm)
Could be several issues causing the ABS light to go on. Most common on that era of Subarus is a bad sensor or more likely a bad tone-ring on one of your hubs. Depending on how badly you think you need ABS will determine how much you want to spend to fix it. It's usually fairly expensive to track down and fix such problems on 100k+ car it may not be worth it.
 
-mike

#34 of 102 Outback Braking Noises by meg4

Jul 09, 2007 (10:07 am)

My 2005 Outback has 13k miles. Ever since I bought the car, the brakes make a clunking sound when applied...not all the time, but it's a concern. Three times the dealer said they could not duplicate the noise but last visit (6/25/07) the Svc Mgr said he heard it and wrote "tech confirmed a click in front when backing up and braking and foward and braking caused by PAD SHIFTING...not a safety issue.
 
This is my 8th car and I NEVER heard of such a thing. HELP!
Meggie

#35 of 102 Re: ABS Light stays on [truckinpc] by smallv

Feb 04, 2008 (11:59 pm)

Replying to: truckinpc (May 07, 2007 8:50 pm)
Congratulations, your brakes are now far better than the day you purchased your car. Subaru's without ABS are much safer that Subaru's with ABS. I disconnected my 1995 legacy ABS within a week of purchasing it. Several slow speed near death experiences coasting into intersections on Icy roads convinced me that ABS brakes are a death sentence. You won't notice the difference as much on dry pavement but on a slippery road, ABS virtually eliminates the deceleration that you expect from your brakes. Pull the emergency brake and you stop instantly. ABS brakes increase stopping distances on all surfaces. Its a fact.
 
With the ABS relay removed, I enjoyed 12 years of braking perfection. Don't be concerned about the yellow light on your dash. Just pull out the ABS relay to complete the task that nature has started for you. For more info on ABS brakes, feel free to read the following post.
 
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?p=20999592#post20999592

#36 of 102 Re: ABS Light stays on [smallv] by paisan

Feb 05, 2008 (6:08 pm)

Replying to: smallv (Feb 04, 2008 11:59 pm)
I'm going to have to disagree with you. While ABS is certain very limited situations may increase stopping distance, the fact that you can steer while braking is very very advantageous. Of course a 1995 ABS system is not the benchmark of a 2008 brake system. But even in my 1994 Legacy Racecar, we continue to keep the ABS engaged as it gives us a racing advantage!
 
If you are following too closely and/or have poor tires, yeah ABS will be a detriment, but if you have distance to steer you'll be happy you had ABS because you can steer while full force braking.
 
-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

Messages Page 4 of 11

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