I need to replace the front rotors and pads on a 97 impreza. It seems
as if it is next to impossible to find any information on this
process. Does anyone have a link to this process? How about at least a
description. I am quite adept at this sort of thing, but don't want to
be making 10 trips to the local NAPA store.
- Do I need to re-pack the wheel bearings?
- I likely do NOT need to replace the calipers...
- Do I need any special tools?
- Are there any gotcha's?
Thanks,
Todd
You don't need to replace the rotors unless they're warped or
badly scored. You don't have to remove the entire caliper
if you don't have to replace the rotors. If you do, use an
impact wrench to avoid snapping off the caliper mounting
bolts. They're on very tight.
There are a couple of gotchas:
1. When you grease the upper slider, you may find that it still
doesn't slide easily. This is due to rust buildup between the
caliper slider bore and the outside of the boot. Remove the
boot completely and use a Dremel tool with a fine grit
sanding cylinder to clean out the rust (or a piece of sandpaper
wrapped around a suitable dowel).
2. If you can't easily press the caliper piston back into its
bore with a screwdriver or a C-clamp, even with the bleeder
screw open, it's due to rust buildup between the piston boot
and the piston seal. Buy a caliper rebuild kit from Subaru,
remove the boot retaining circlip with a small screwdriver
and remove the boot, pop out the piston with brake pressure.
Remove the piston seal and check for rust in the groove. If
there's rust there, carefully use a Dremel with a circular
grinding disk that fits the groove to get rid of the rust.
Use a fine grit sanding cylinder to remove the rust on the
ridge between the seal groove and the boot groove. When
you're done, and before you reinstall the seal, the piston
should slide easily into the bore without binding. Install
the new piston seal, lubricate with brake fluid, open the bleeder
screw and press the piston back into the bore with a C-clamp.
Before you push the piston all the way in, reattach the new
boot to the piston, and gently press the outside of the boot
into its groove with a blunt screwdriver or other tool that
won't tear the new boot. Press the piston all the way into
the bore and then insert the new boot circlip to hold the
boot in place.
3. Subaru pad kits come with new shims and springs. The
old ones will be very rusty and need replacement. Put a
dab of brake grease on the contact points between the pad
and the springs.
Bob