I need to replace my front disks as they are shagged. Without resorting to anything silly (i.e.AP) what disk/pad combination should I go for?

I don't want to replace my calipers, as that will undoubtedly be expensive, and I want them to still retard the vehicles speed a bit after more than two hard pressed of the middle pedal!

I belive Iain did something similar and got Prodrive disks. If so, did you speak to Prodirve direct or did the dealer do it, and are they OK with the standard calipers and wheels?

Geezer

[This message has been edited by Geezer (edited 08 June 2001).]

 

Firstly, I'll openly admit I'm a real mechanical numpty


But went through the same thing as you a few months ago; disks were worn and needed replacing.
I got prices from by local Subaru dealer for fitting standard front disks and pads and was astounded at the cost.
Now I have never really been that chuffed with the standard spongy scooby brakes so I started to hunt around for a performance upgrade for less than the dealer quoted price.


Also worth mentioning that I'm not into track days etc I just wanted good fast-road braking, ie pads that don't require heating up before they bite and won't fade too soon.


So not being very technically minded I read as many of the topics on this bbs as possible and phoned all the decent after market supplies mentioned (Scoobysport, Scoobymania, Graham Goode, Power Engineering etc etc).


All the suppliers recommend different products & said theirs was better than the others blah-de-blah, so no surprise their really


The only thing they all seemed to agree upon was:


1) Steer well clear of drilled or combi disks (they have reputation for hairline cracks), grooved disks are fine.
2) If your gonna upgrade your pads you must have a balanced upgrade to your disks - I'm sure you've seen all the recent "fast pads warped by disks threads"
3) You will get almost as much performance and feedback improvements to you braking system by going for braided hoses and maybe higher spec fluid as you will for new pads & disks. Though I wasn't convinced that fluid was so crucial for road use (Though track days would boil my oil ).


So, given the comparative cost of braided hoses to disks and pads - I thought this was pretty much a "no-brainer" - I went for Goodridge Hoses (I don't think their are any other real contenders here).


On the disks and pads side, this was a bit more contentious. I was concerned about having a balanced set-up - so I just went for the Pagid Disks & Pads kit.


Must I'm well chuffed with this set-up, cheaper than Subaru, brake pedal is much more responsive, bites from cold and you have to work damned hard to get the brakes to fade .


Then again all of this is just my opinion & I'm only comparing this to the standard brakes I was used to.


Hope this helps.


Chris

[Fixed silly typos]


[This message has been edited by Chris.Palmer (edited 09 June 2001).]

 

Thanks Chris. Got a contact name or number, or are they available 'from all good stockists'?

Geezer

 

Geezer have a look at this post

 

Awight Geezer?

I've just had same thing as you.
Crap brakes, what do I do?

Firstly ditch those 2 pots (If that's what you've got). They are crap. Subaru changed them at 99 spec, so they must have thought it was worth doing.

I got my callipers for £200+vat, so it's not THAT bad.

I went for EBC discs and pads, cost just over £500 altogether, but you have the advantage of bigger discs with the 4 pots which again improves stopping power.

Choice of discs and pads is up to you. I like the EBC cause they are clean. Went for a blast on the moors yesterday and came back with clean wheels. No brake dust.

Definately go for braided hoses,(about £50) pedal travel was halved on mine by doing this.

And a brake support bracket (about £45) will improve pedal feel a fair bit.

Hope this helps

Rich

 

Geezer

This is what Chris has...

 

What sort of price am I looking for disks/pads/hoses Pete?

Geezer

 

Oops, didn't see the 'click for price' option!

Geezer

 

OK. It's £510 ish for the Pagid stuff, and £409 for the Prodrive stuff.

Which is better, or is it just down to price?
If so, do SIDC members get a discount at Scoobysport?

Geezer

 

Simon Graham,
Yes 4 pots bolt straight on, but uses bigger disks so you need them as well.

4 pots will only fit under 16" wheels!!!

Ideal time to fit braded hoses £50 and uprated brake fluid £20 (approx prices)

Got my calipers,disks and pads from Midland Impreza 02476 373555 £250 +P&P

Their gggreat!!
Iain.

 

Rich,

Do the 4 pots just bolt on instead of the 2 pots?

And where did you get them from? As usual my local dealer has given a wallet woryign figure (and 4 hours labour!)

Ta.

 

Dyney

Was it easy to fit the hoses - I gather bleeding the brakes is the fiddley bit. I have done the pads and discs myself so fairly competent with it.

Cheers
Paul

 

Bleeding isn't hard but you need two poeple!
One to push the brake pedal and one to turn the bleed nipple on and off.

The system only holds about half a litre of fluid and I was replacing mine so needed to flush the system through anyway. (Don't mix fluid ratings/brands they say)

Once you and your partner get into it,its very quick.(open nipple,push peddle,close nipple,lift peddle)until all the air is out(about 2 mins)Keep an eye on the resovoir it go's down very quickly.
Hoses fit straight on though it might be worth cleaning connections and soaking them in WD40 overnight.They can be very stiff if coroded on.
Above all leave plenty of time and don't rush, what ever the misses says

Hope this helps someone, as has been said many times not everyone is mechanically minded.(those that are just can't spell)
Iain.

 

Simon Graham,

Dyney answered for me and I agree with him.

My 4 pots were £200 form a main dealer. They were 2nd hand items taken off cars that had had the Prodrive or AP upgrade.

There's loads come up for sale on the BBS.
Keep your eyes peeled.

Rich