I haven't had a chance to look at the brakes on my 98 Legacy Outback but my mechanic said they might be locked up. I will be going out to take a look tommorrow, if it is the case, what can you all recommend in dealing with it so I have a clue when I go?

Usually when something is locked up with the brakes either the slide pin boots leaked and caused the pins to seize or the caliper piston seized in the bore.

 

Both problems are entirely preventable if a few simple steps are taken when the pads are changed.

 

Usually they'll just entirely replace the caliper and/or bracket and charge you an arm and a leg.....this is why they never do those simple steps.

Unfortunately it sat for 4 years behind the garage, so it was unaviodable.

Used calipers and a good flush should take care of the brakes.

 

Have the rotors turned or take a wire brush to them in a grinder and clean off all the old rust.

 

New pads and you will be good to go.

Four years? On brakes that been in use....time for new calipers, or a serious refurbish. The piston seals will have seized up the pistons, even if the glider pins are stille moving.

 

You can do it yourself, but you have to know what you are doing. It's not rocket science, at all, but they are your brakes so need to be confident in them.

 

For a refurb, you will need new pistons and a seal kit...probably for all four brakes. Gliders are a maybe.

Great news, the brakes were fine. I pulled them and checked each one and did some clean up.

 

Hit up a You Pull It and landed a stock radio w/ a cd player and a legacy liner for the back as well.

 

Today is a good day.

I would change the fluid.

 

I got a car like that that wasnt exactly parked. It was driven once in a while around the block to give it a run.

 

hehehe

 

It had a bad shimmey in the front the seller said "gee that is new" (unloved car great price). Got it home.

 

It never ceases to amaze me how bad something can be and still sort of operate.

 

Left front brake was basically a huge mass of metal. No telling where the rotor began and the caliper bracket ended. the "operating" brake had left an imprint where the pads were.

 

Sometimes you luck out, sometimes you don't.

 

Also do a quick onceover on all teh rubber parts to make sure they are all good.

Beyond the brakes, I would check the ends of the half shafts to see if the dust cover boots are not torn. For sure change the oil and filter on this car.

All the fluids will be changed, no choice on some since the engine is not in it atm and all the gaskets being replaced.