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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 8 of 11

#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.

#75 of 102 Re: Subaru Legacy GX AWD year 2000 brake issue [yonorri] by xwesx

Jan 05, 2009 (2:29 pm)

Replying to: yonorri (Jan 05, 2009 9:34 am)
Were there *any* other symptoms? No differences with pedal feel, etc? Did the brakes pulsate at all, indicating that ABS engaged?
 
What were the temperatures at the time? Far colder than normal?
 
I wonder, perhaps, if old brake fluid is the culprit here....

#76 of 102 Re: Subaru Legacy GX AWD year 2000 brake issue [xwesx] by yonorri

Jan 05, 2009 (3:27 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 05, 2009 2:29 pm)
Yes the pedal feel was different, usually the brakes are quite 'spongy' unless the ABS is active, this morning however when this incident occurred there was a really solid feel to them, and no the ABS didn't kick in.
 
The ABS had been working as it had activated when I slowed up turning out of our road on a slight down slope in the snow and the ABS also activated moments afterwards when I tested them on a snow covered downhill slope, also checked again numerous time this evening.
 
The temperature this morning was actually slightly warmer than it has been for the last few days, around freezing, the outside temperature gauge on the Subaru said 0 C.
 
This car is a new one for me, only about 2 months old, so I don't know the state of any of it's fluids, when I've got some spare cash I'll propbably take it to a Subaru dealer for a complete service.

#77 of 102 Re: Subaru Legacy GX AWD year 2000 brake issue [yonorri] by xwesx

Jan 06, 2009 (10:02 am)

Replying to: yonorri (Jan 05, 2009 3:27 pm)
Yes, I would gauge by your description of a "really solid feel" that it is likely a problem with your fluid being old (probably original). Brake fluid is hydroscopic, meaning that it likes to imbibe water, so old fluid will have a higher water content than new. If it has enough water in it, ice can form in the lines, and ice in the right place can cause a line blockage. I experienced this many times on my '96 Outback, but replacing the fluid cleared up the problem immediately. The only problem was finding a place warm enough to change it....
 
Usually, I found that if I let off the brakes, tapped the pedal a few times, then pressed real hard again, it would let loose and go back to normal operation. Quite disconcerting when it happened though. The hand brake comes in... handy... during those moments.

#78 of 102 Re: Subaru Legacy GX AWD year 2000 brake issue [xwesx] by yonorri

Jan 06, 2009 (10:59 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 06, 2009 10:02 am)
Excellent, as you say just need to find somewhere warm, or give it to a man who has somewhere warm to do it!

#79 of 102 05 Legacy - Rotors Keep Warping by kevin13

Feb 06, 2009 (9:50 am)

Have an 05 Legacy GT. Car shaking on braking. Dealer cut rotors under warranty. Happens again 3K miles later. Dealer recuts. Happens again. Dealer replaces under warranty. Now less than 20K miles later, guess what. Happening again. Is it possible that I have some other problem that is causing the rotors to have issues? Any thoughts appreciated.

Messages Page 8 of 11

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