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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 5 of 11

#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

#38 of 102 Odd brake problem by altitudemama

Jul 18, 2008 (10:11 am)

I own a 99 Subaru Outback with 111,000 miles on it. I bought it used 5 years ago with 60,000 miles on it. It's automatic. It's been a gem til last fall, when I started to notice that, when braking while descending a steep hill (I live in an area with a lot of mountain passes, and sometimes the freeway grades are 5-7%), the brakes would grab, and the car would downshift to a lower gear, and then stay 'stuck' in this lower gear for a while (minute or two?), even if I took my foot off the brake and began to accelerate. This, or course, caused the RPM's to rev up too. Someone suggested a transmission problem, so I took it to a transmission place who said my trans was filthy and they flushed it. Thereafter, the problem seemed to subside (though I was never convinced that the two were related... but what do I know about cars!!?!) Alas, 10 months later, and the problem is back again. My mechanic is baffled. Any ideas?

#39 of 102 I'd be curious by pilot1226

Jul 18, 2008 (4:33 pm)

I'd be curious as to whether or not your local tech filled the transmission fluid with the one Subaru says in the owner's manual rather than a generic one.

#40 of 102 My '06 Outback Shimmies When Braking Downhill Fast by akg

Jul 19, 2008 (1:40 pm)

I have just noticed that when I put on the brakes going fast, particularly going fast downhill (50+mph or so), like when I need to brake getting off of the freeway or even on the freeway, my car shimmies...sometimes pretty bad. I just had my tires rotated, but I think I may have noticed it before that. I live very rurally, so before I haul the Subie (an automatic, by the way) the 70 miles to the dealership, I thought I'd ask one of you. Thanks!

#41 of 102 Re: My '06 Outback Shimmies When Braking Downhill Fast [akg] by pilot1226

Jul 20, 2008 (4:52 am)

Replying to: akg (Jul 19, 2008 1:40 pm)
To me, this sounds like brake jutter.
 
1. When did you last replace your brake pads? Did you replace the rotors, or refinish (cut/machine/etc) them?
 
Rotors will warp if they get too hot which leads to an uneven braking surface - this is the jutter that you feel only when you step on the brakes. If you've machined your rotors - which I don't recommend - you're taking the rotor and making it thinner, which is not able to withstand as much heat. You'll also not get the same life span out of a machined rotor compared to the new ones.
 
On my Honda, I got brakes at Meineke a few years ago and was asked if I wanted new rotors (40/axle) or to have them machined (30/axle). I recommend new, always.

#42 of 102 Re: My '06 Outback Shimmies When Braking Downhill Fast [pilot1226] by akg

Jul 24, 2008 (6:55 am)

Replying to: pilot1226 (Jul 20, 2008 4:52 am)
Thank you so much for helping me with this! It was the rotors in the front and I had them dealt with. Thank you again!

#43 of 102 Re: My '06 Outback Shimmies When Braking Downhill Fast [pilot1226] by paisan

Jul 24, 2008 (4:35 pm)

Replying to: pilot1226 (Jul 20, 2008 4:52 am)
Rotors will warp if they get too hot which leads to an uneven braking surface - this is the jutter that you feel only when you step on the brakes. If you've machined your rotors - which I don't recommend - you're taking the rotor and making it thinner, which is not able to withstand as much heat. You'll also not get the same life span out of a machined rotor compared to the new ones.
 
Very rarely do rotors warp on cars these days. They usually get pad material deposits in them and this causes a feeling of being warped. To clear them re-bed your brakes (several 60mph to 5mph runs and then let cool) and this should clear the pad material from the microcracks in the rotors.
 
I agree never to have rotors machined, it's always better to replace the rotors.
 
-mike

#44 of 102 2000 Subaru Outback front brake problems by eberglund

Jul 29, 2008 (3:18 pm)

I was recently given a 2000 Subaru Outback wagon by my father. I've had older subi's (80 and 92) and have had wonderful luck with them, however this one is having some issues. This car only has 65K miles on it and my dad has replaced the front brakes 2 times! He tried to figure out what the problem was since it was not usual to replace them at such low miles, but never determined the cause. The last time he replaced the brakes was about 5K miles ago and he used the most expensive ceramic brake pads he could buy, and now i don't recall if he turned the rotors or replaced them. What is happening now is a grinding sound (similar to when your brakes need to be replaced) every time I use the brakes. It seems i also hear some noise even when I'm not using the brakes. I've searched the internet and cannot seem to find anyone else with this problem. If anyone knows what could be causing this problem, please help!

Messages Page 5 of 11

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