Ask the Car People.SM


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 8 of 11

#65 of 102 Disc Rotor Options by jawa

Oct 03, 2008 (9:51 am)

I am planning on replacing my brake rotors because they are warped and the pads are done. So I am going to do a complete change. I was wondering what you guys would recommend for rotors. I want so good high quality rotors that will not warp (as easily). I have a 2000 Subaru Outback Sedan Limited. It is has 115,000 miles. I bought it with 86,000 miles 2 years ago. I have not done much to the brakes aside from getting them turned once about a year ago. It did not fix the problem but it made it a little more bearable. I was just wondering if it is better to get cross drilled or slotted brake rotors, or both?

#66 of 102 Re: Disc Rotor Options [jawa] by paisan

Oct 06, 2008 (6:30 pm)

Replying to: jawa (Oct 03, 2008 9:51 am)
I'm pretty much a brake guru for subies, having done 1000s of brakes and race my subaru regularly. Slotted or drilled are a waste of money.
 
Mountain Rotors if you can find them are great quality. For pads I really like the Hawk HPs pads on the street. Also make sure to flush your brakes every 2 years.
 
-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

#67 of 102 2000 Legacy Wagon Brakes by Brake_Job

Dec 10, 2008 (8:40 pm)

I'm looking at a 2000 Legacy Wagon and the brakes feel pretty soft. The dealer is telling me that this is normal for this model, does that make sense?

#68 of 102 Re: 2000 Legacy Wagon Brakes [Brake_Job] by xwesx

Dec 11, 2008 (9:47 am)

Replying to: Brake_Job (Dec 10, 2008 8:40 pm)
No, I don't think it is. Can you more fully describe the experience that resulted in the decision of "pretty soft?"

#69 of 102 Re: 2000 Legacy Wagon Brakes [xwesx] by Brake_Job

Dec 11, 2008 (1:45 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Dec 11, 2008 9:47 am)
Thank you for replying. I drove the car and the brake pedal just feels really soft. They are saying that that is a characteristic of a 2000 Legacy. It stopped fine and didn't get substantially stiffer if I pumped the brake, so it seems possible, but I've never heard that before. My frame of reference is a Volvo XC90 and a 2007 Civic, so I'm wondering if I just got used to a newer, higher pedal. They've agreed to turn the rotors and bleed them, hopefully that helps.

#70 of 102 Re: 2000 Legacy Wagon Brakes [Brake_Job] by xwesx

Dec 11, 2008 (3:06 pm)

Replying to: Brake_Job (Dec 11, 2008 1:45 pm)
Yeah, I have to say that I never felt my Subaru brake pedals felt "soft" at all, at least not compared to any other make/model I have driven (and that is quite a few!). My guess is that the lines need to be bled or the pads are very low. Even if the pads were low, though, that might result in more pedal travel, but once the brakes connect, the pedal should feel firm.
 
You might test it on a gravel road to try locking up the brakes (engaging the ABS), just to see how the whole system behaves.
 
The original brake fluid on this car may never have been replaced, and at that age, it is certainly due.

#71 of 102 Re: 2000 Legacy Wagon Brakes [Brake_Job] by eberglund

Dec 13, 2008 (9:06 pm)

Replying to: Brake_Job (Dec 10, 2008 8:40 pm)
I have a 2000 Legacy Outback wagon and definitely have noticed the brakes feel very soft or spongy compared to my previous 92 Subi legacy wagon. It was incredibly noticeable at first, to the point of being concerned I would not be able to stop in time if i needed to. I even had my mechanic check them out. He did find a substantial amount of rust on the rotors which were causing some noise, however he didn't think that would cause them to feel spongy. Maybe this is normal for this model...

#72 of 102 Re: 2000 Legacy Wagon Brakes [eberglund] by ateixeira

Dec 23, 2008 (12:02 pm)

Replying to: eberglund (Dec 13, 2008 9:06 pm)
I believe they use a dual-stage brake booster, which allows for smoother stops (as opposed to sudden, jerky stops) but does cause some people to complain about a spongy feel.
 
Have them bled to make sure there is no air in the lines, and you should be fine.

#73 of 102 Re: 2000 Legacy Wagon Brakes [ateixeira] by paisan

Dec 26, 2008 (7:16 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 23, 2008 12:02 pm)
Brakes should be fully flushed every 2-3 years.
 
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor

#74 of 102 Subaru Legacy GX AWD year 2000 brake issue by yonorri

Jan 05, 2009 (9:34 am)

My year 2000 Legacy AWD had a bit of a brake moment this morning, light snow fall on the local roads and when I hit the brakes all they did was whistle at me which was most un-nerving. There are no indications that the ABS is faulty, and when I tried them out on a downward slope a bit further along the road all seemed fine and dandy.
 
Has anyone else had any similar problems? I have browsed the web and have come across ice related abs problems but nothing conclusive.
 
M.

Messages Page 8 of 11

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement