john banks

Looking for info on how to refresh the caliper on the front two piston sliding calipers on a MY04 Legacy 3.0R or equivalent Subaru caliper.

One piston is sticky.

I haven't taken a caliper off a brake line before, but changed discs and pads many times.

Presumably I clamp the line before removing it and bleed when refitting.

I have a compressor, and was planning to use it to get the pistons out, then clean it all up and use a Subaru kit to repair.

Any guidance on how the kit is fitted on Subaru calipers? Anything to look out for.

john banks

Found this for 4 pots. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=881881

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

Nice find there John because I'm also thinking of rebuilding my 4 pots.

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

Hi John
I would remove the calipers off the discs and pump the pedal gently and the pistons will come most of the way out , clamp the pipes and then remove them off the car , you don't have to try and pump them with a compressor then , if the pistons are well seized , a compressor might not even pump them out.

You may find the top lip in the bore of the caliper is rusty , you can clean this up with WD40 and emery cloth , gunk the calipers down and hose them off to clean them out , and dry them off , you can clean up the surface of the pistons with WD40 and fine emery cloth , any corrosion on the pistons where the seals sit , would mean they need changing , the seals kits are easy to fit , as are the pistons , apply piston grease or brake fluid over the seals and pistons and slide them back in , if you don't lubricate them enough the pistons will jam on the seals , the pistons should just push in with two thumbs.

Clean and regrease the sliders and fit it back on and bleed them up , make sure you fit the calipers on the correct side with the nipples at the highest point

john banks

Thanks. Eventually got the seal kit from Subaru, but I cannot get one of the pistons out (the one that is sticking). I tried compressed air up to 7.5 bar with the other piston held in place (that looks good and easily went back in after a clean up) and it doesn't budge.

Is there a recommended place I can send the caliper away to be refreshed or swap?

john banks

Local garage got it out with a pipe wrench and the piston is pitted so awaiting a new one from Subaru.

john banks

Replacement piston and seals worked well. Need new rear pads, but all back to smooth operation.

Trippie

iTrader: (1)

8 pistons and full seal kit.well worth doing if you have 4 pot's

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3307356656...84.m1423.l2661

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Subaru-Imp...item3f0a6e535b

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

We offer the same kits for the 4 pots

http://66.7.200.85/~godspeed/product.php?id_product=150

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Ian's are stainless..........

john banks

Some great deals there. Was difficult to find out Legacy and Impreza compatibility, so was about £80-90 at dealer for front seal kit and one piston. Still, a lot cheaper than garage and a whole new caliper no doubt.

john banks

Now this is a bit weird. Since fixing the nearside front caliper all was well until vibrations returned, not under braking, once things warmed up, but the hot brakes are now on the offside. I didn't refresh the offside as I had other things to do!

Is there any logical reason why the other side would do the same? Obviously I need to strip it down.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Yes, John, the Scoob pistons have a habit of rusting, that's why Ian started making stainless pistons.

At least you'll be an expert this time