Just picked up my freshly painted Impreza from the bodyshop today only to discover on the drive home that the front right caliper is 'binding'!

Now in an ideal world, I should buy some refurbished calipers from Godspeed (had a nice frank chat with both Ian and Ben today) and also buy some of their 6 grooved discs and kevlar pads.

All in I am looking at £370 for the above (I know this is the right thing to do for both safety and aesthetics) but if anyone has another 'cheaper' solution that would ease the pressure on my credit card, please feel free to pass any thoughts my way!

 

Woulden't stripping the caliper and replacing the dust seals cure it, or even stripping the caliper and sanding the piston?

 

I don't know, that's why I'm asking.

Never rebuilt a caliper before. How easy is it to remove pistons, clean and replace with new seals?
I have just had another look at the discs and I think they are getting to the point where I should replace them. They're are not falling apart but the edges of the discs are looking quite rusty. Pads are only half worn but I don't like messing about when it comes to brakes.

I know in my head what I need to do, it has come at the wrong time, money wise. I hate putting things on the credit card, but my £1000 'car' float that I keep
has taken a big it this month with the body work and car tax.

 

I have stripped and cleaned the pistons before but the steel ones won't last, it's not rocket science though. I think the best option is this:-

http://www.godspeedbrakes.co.uk/~god...id_product=150

If you where near South Wales I would willing pop over and give you a hand .

 

Hi there

Did mine in the summer.

Ended up ringing godspeed, did the whole lot, disks, pads, braided hoses and there calliper refurb kits with stainless steel pistons.

Never worked on car brakes till I did mine, used the search function on here and found some good guides.

Removing pistons can be a pita, I only had a pair of grips! Think the preferred way is to put them in a vice and chisel them out.

Rebuilding the callipers is easy. Just make sure all corrosion is gone!

A days graft with some cheap halfrauds tools,jobs a good un.

Hope this helps,

Andy

 

Thanks for the advice.

Has anyone tried the replica calipers with 'WRX PRO' on the sides? Godspeed reckon that these are exactly the same as genuine Subaru calipers, bar the crappy name on them.

 

Soaking them in bucket of brick acid for a couple of days is a cheap and easy way to get rid of the rust

Getting the seized pistons out is the hardest bit. I have several methods depending on how seized they are! A socket just smaller than the inner diameter and a screwdriver wedged in to turn the piston usually frees them off. Really stubborn ones I drill a hole in the bottom, thread it and wind a bolt in to force the piston out, thats only in extreme cases and should be tried unless you're confident with doing stuff like that!! I've not had one beat me yet!!

Heres one of the finished articles I recently did for a friend, new seals and ss pistons fitted

 

Just decided on what I want but can't get hold of Godspeed. Doh!

 

He rallies on the weekend. Ring him Monday.

 

I'm guessing by you being in Kent we just took your order

Only some weekends , this weekend we are cleaning the car after rally GB last week , its amazing how much mud ect they collect , at least the jet wash is a hot one lol

 

Yes Ian it was me. Thanks for taking the order. Looking forward to having shiny new brakes that actually work! I should be able to fit everything next weekend and return the old calipers to you the week after.

Cheers.

 

Pm sent Ian. Going to have to cancel the order. Sorry for messing you about.