Changing brake pads on WRX

[blarg]

well, generally, you unbolt the caliper from on one side and loosen the other.

then swing the caliper off the disc, and you should be able to drop the pads out.

replace pads. (replace clips, shims, grease as necessary)

use some kind of flat object to get levarage on the pistons and push the pads apart.

swing the caliper back onto the disc, re-bolt, tighten.

done.

how you actualy get the pads out might change, but the process is pretty much the same for any disc brake.

[WRX13oy]

thank you blarg

[blarg]

thank you blarg

meh.

you're just jealous.

go eat some chicken.

[williaty]

well, generally, you unbolt the caliper from on one side and loosen the other.

then swing the caliper off the disc, and you should be able to drop the pads out.

replace pads. (replace clips, shims, grease as necessary)

use some kind of flat object to get levarage on the pistons and push the pads apart.

swing the caliper back onto the disc, re-bolt, tighten.

done.

how you actualy get the pads out might change, but the process is pretty much the same for any disc brake.

Blarg, the STi calipers don't work this way. You leave the caliper attached, pull some pins out of the sprine of the caliper, slide the pads radiallly outwards (e.g. away from the hub) and then reverse the video. There're totoaly different than the 2.5/WRX brakes.

[blarg]

If I recall correctly, the STi brake pads are removed/inserted through the side of the caliper, so the install is nothing like this tutorial. There's a video of the process on HSPN

ok I'm wrong. that's what you get for listening to a guy that doesn't even drive a Subaru anymore.

YAY interweb!

I'm going back to OT where I belong.

[Jonnyfilmboy]

So I upgraded my front pads to EBC Redstuffs today with the help of this thread. Thanks! It was easy.

A few things. My pads were about 6 months old, having been recently replaced at the dealer. The passenger side pad didn't have the noise maker on it. Strange. And neither of the front in-board pads had the middle black plate. They just had the pad clipped into the silver plate. Also, the dealer had torqued one of the caliper bolts (14mm one) to like 50 or 60 ft/lbs.

I have an 04 WRX. Do the stock brakes normally not come with the middle black plate on the inboard pads? Or did my dealer just forget to put them on when they changed out the pads? Should I go get these plates and install them?

[volcomsoldier19]

ok I'm wrong. that's what you get for listening to a guy that doesn't even drive a Subaru anymore.

YAY interweb!

I'm going back to OT where I belong.

yea back to the PWNY world with you sir!

[volcomsoldier19]

thank you blarg

he rly knows it all, dayum...

[Jonnyfilmboy]

So I upgraded my front pads to EBC Redstuffs today with the help of this thread. Thanks! It was easy.

A few things. My pads were about 6 months old, having been recently replaced at the dealer. The passenger side pad didn't have the noise maker on it. Strange. And neither of the front in-board pads had the middle black plate. They just had the pad clipped into the silver plate. Also, the dealer had torqued one of the caliper bolts (14mm one) to like 50 or 60 ft/lbs.

I have an 04 WRX. Do the stock brakes normally not come with the middle black plate on the inboard pads? Or did my dealer just forget to put them on when they changed out the pads? Should I go get these plates and install them?

Anyone know?

[Sk8erOrd]

Just used this guide to change my pads to Axxis Ultimates - thank you for the writeup!

[arm-d]

Sweet pics and writeup! Question: I'm planning to do all 4 wheels and replace the fluid and rotate the tires. Should I bleed as I go, following the bleeding order on the pad replacement? Or just do the pads, then go back and bleed. Thanks

[Sk8erOrd]

I'm no expert, but I'd probably wait to bleed until the pads are all changed, since you're going to be compressing the pistons as you change the pads, and that is going to force older fluid up into the system.

[bjy20716]

I broke one of the 14mm bolts and the end is stuck in the slider pin. I got a new slide pin from the dealership however they did not have any 14mm bolts. I called another dealership and they do not have the 14mm bolt either.

Can I just goto lowes or home depot to find a 14mm bolt of the right length and use it?

Also what kind of grease should I put on the slider pin?

Please help, I cannot drive my car :/

Thank You

[Jonnyfilmboy]

I'd go to Pep Boys or Track Auto or similar and see if they have one. I doubt it's some special bolt that only Subaru manufactures. If not those places, check out Sears. Bring an in-tact bolt from the other side of the caliper for comparison.

[powder]

I broke one of the 14mm bolts and the end is stuck in the slider pin. I got a new slide pin from the dealership however they did not have any 14mm bolts. I called another dealership and they do not have the 14mm bolt either.

Can I just goto lowes or home depot to find a 14mm bolt of the right length and use it?

Also what kind of grease should I put on the slider pin?

Please help, I cannot drive my car :/

Thank You

For a braking system i would go with no less than a grade 8 bolt. Grade 10 if you can find them but nothing less than a grade 8.

(in reference to sti brakes)
FYI: the '06 wrx oe brakes are the same method of changing as the sti's now.