How to Fix Impreza Brakes

Iskandar Blogger 3:46 PM

The Subaru Impreza is manufactured with four wheel disk brakes, which use a hydraulic caliper at each wheel to stop the vehicle. The caliper, rotor and pads are maintenance items and can be replaced if they leak, show damage or are extremely worn. The average weekend mechanic can replace all four brakes in about two hours.

Instructions

    1

    Raise the Subaru at the wheel by placing the floor jack on a frame rail and pumping the lever until the wheel is in the air. Do not use the jack on the body or suspension components. Place a jack stand near the jack head on the frame rail for safety.

    2

    Remove the wheel by turning the lug nuts counterclockwise then laying the wheel aside.

    3

    Remove the caliper and pads by turning the twin rear mount bolts in a counterclockwise direction, then sliding the caliper off of the rotor. The pads will come out by hand, but the caliper will still be attached to the system with the brake lines. If replacement of the caliper is desired, remove the line by turning the line nut counterclockwise.

    4

    Remove the rotor by turning the keeper screw counterclockwise then pulling the rotor free of the hub; if the rotor is not on a drive wheel, it may not have keeper screws.

    5

    Replace the rotor by pushing it back onto the hub and attaching any keeper screws if necessary. Place new pads into the caliper and slide it over the rotor, turning the mount bolts clockwise to secure it. If the caliper was replaced, tighten the line nuts at this time.

    6

    Purge the braking system with fresh fluid by turning the bleeder nipple at the back of the caliper counterclockwise, allowing the fluid to drain out. Apply the brake pedal and pour fluid into the master cylinder (under the hood on the driver's side firewall) until there is no air coming out of the nipple. The fluid should be golden yellow and bubble free. Turn the nipple clockwise to close it.

    7

    Reattach the wheel and turn the lug nuts clockwise in an alternating pattern. Remove the jack stand and lower the Impreza from the jack by turning the pressure screw counterclockwise with the jack handle.

    8

    Repeat the entire procedure on the remaining brakes.