Hey guys,

I am writing to ask for assistance from someone in the bay area, preferably around Palo Alto. My '95 Impreza developed a nasty tendency to shake (it's tolerable, but it spoils everything) under braking. I suspect warped rotors, but just to be sure before I try to fix it, I want to have someone take a ride with me and verify my suspicions, preferably someone with brake work experience. It won't take long, and you'll have my eternal gratitude. (If I like you, I'll buy you lunch).

 

If it's ONLY under braking I would be suprised if it was anything else. Good luck,

eric

 

If its only under braking, it is most likely warped rotors... like, 95% chance. The only other thing it could really be would be a wheel bearing... but that wouldn't be only under braking. So yeah, warped rotors.

 

Yeah, I'm almost sure it is the rotors, but being an engineer, I know that unless you know the system 100%, you can never be too safe troubleshooting it. And even if you know it 100%, you could still be wrong! I'm sure those of you who spent any time under a car can relate. Anyways, what's a good place to find cheap OEM rotors? How easy is it to upgrade to bigger ones, say from a Legacy (that is if they are bigger). Thanks guys.

 

www.subaruparts.com

Fast, easy, and cheap. Super easy to install also.

 

Actually,

I'm upgrading my brakes very soon. And my RS Rotors might the same size as yours... in which case, you can have mine, they are in perfect shape. I actually have two sets now, the older set needs to be "turned", but the rotors on the car now are great shape, because the brake pads i'm running are very soft, and not abrassive at all.

I'll find out if they are the same or not. if turns out that your front calipers are the same at least, but the rotors are smaller, you'd be scoring bigger brakes

I'll let you know,

-Gagan

 

Oh and one more thing,

this could be your rear brakes also. Usually when a car shakes violently, it's a problem from the rear first. Do you have disc brakes, or drum brakes in the rear?

-Gagan

 

using the search function (not a n00b ) I found out that your calipers are not the same. So you'd have to find a complete brake system to upgrade: Calipers, Caliper bracket, rotors. If you think you can score RS calipers from a 99-2001 RS or a 2002 WRX, you're welcome to take my stuff. I really don't expect anyone to take them, and I'd rather give them to someone who's going to benefit.

They will be off the car sometime mid-week.

-Gagan

 

Thanks Gagan,
So answering your questions in order:
1). I have drums in the rear. Can drums cause the behavior I am observing? I've never heard of people upgrading drum brakes - usually they either install OEM comps. or change them to discs.
2). RS rotors? I'd like to take them off your hands. Let me know how much. Also, do you by any chance know how much it costs to take your rotors to a shop and have them checked for warping? I'm imagine it's a very simple procedure with the right tools.
3). Calipers and brackets don't sound like they'd be too hard to find. That's just my guy feeling.
Thanks for the info.

 

Sh$t, typo - that's gut feeling (no offense to any ladies here).

 

1) Yes. You might want to replace the shoes on those drum brakes also. You cna get shoes from your local auto parts store like kragen, and pepboys.

2) Free. Once i get them off, you can have them. I dunno how much it costs, but i think you'd have to pay a good amount cause of labor... but maybe you can find a place that does free inpections or something.

3) Yeah, just the calipers is all you'll need to upgrade. I'll let you know wednesday if i've got them off.

-Gagan

 

Thanks, I really appreciate it.