mushy brakes on Y2K Outback

[Jack]

I have lived with mushy brakes on my Outback since I bought it new. I
have bled the brakes, replaced the pads, etc and the brakes are still
mushy.

Is this normal for the Outback? Does anybody have any ideas?

jb

 

[Jim Stewart]

I have lived with mushy brakes on my Outback since I bought it new. I
have bled the brakes, replaced the pads, etc and the brakes are still
mushy.

Is this normal for the Outback?

Yes. I wouldn't characterize them as mushy, but
they are soft compared to other cars I've driven.
As long as they lockup the wheels when I stomp
on the pedal, I don't worry about the feel.

Does anybody have any ideas?

 

[Ned Pike]

In

I have lived with mushy brakes on my Outback since I bought it new. I
have bled the brakes, replaced the pads, etc and the brakes are still
mushy.

Is this normal for the Outback? Does anybody have any ideas?

jb

One of the best ways to get rid of some of that mushy feeling is braided
stainless brake lines. They seem to have less radial expansion when
pressure is applied, so the fluid column in the lines feels stiffer.

 

[Dave Null Sr.]

In

One of the best ways to get rid of some of that mushy feeling is braided
stainless brake lines. They seem to have less radial expansion when
pressure is applied, so the fluid column in the lines feels stiffer.

That works when the rest of the system is just as stiff.
However it isn't.
I got better feel by replacing the calipers, but it
has never been as firm feeling as just about any other
car I've owned.

 

[uglymoney]

That works when the rest of the system is just as stiff.
However it isn't.
I got better feel by replacing the calipers, but it
has never been as firm feeling as just about any other
car I've owned.

I read that Subaru changed the master brake cylinders in new models
because it was "expanding" and that is what is causing the mushiness.

So, nothing you can do short of picking up an 05 brake cylinder.

nate

 

[Hallraker]

I read that Subaru changed the master brake cylinders in new models
because it was "expanding" and that is what is causing the mushiness.

So, nothing you can do short of picking up an 05 brake cylinder.

I also seem to remember hearing that at least on some of the older Subies,
that the firewall was flexing where the master cylinder is mounted. This
flexing was part of the mushy pedal trait, and I think at least one company
offered a steel reinforcing plate to correct this.

-Matt