I need to change the front brake pads on my Forester.

 

I want to know if there any special precaution to take when working on a ABS system specifically when retracting the caliper back.

 

I have heard that you can damage the ABS system if you force brake fluid into the reservoir.

 

To retract the caliper piston in a Subaru, you just need to rotate it clockwise?

 

I have search for the procedure but have been unsucessful.

 

If you guys can provide me with some info it would be greatly appreciatedThank You

Ok.. so I'm a girl.. and I don't always know the names of the parts... but:

 

I just changed my front brake pads on the 03 Forester X (WHOOHOOO my first time making it to 60k with a single set of brake pads!)

 

I was able to push the fluid back into the resevoir just fine... my ABS still worked this morning... so far so good... I'm not a mechanic... so don't get me in trouble....

 

Make sure you have the right pads!!!! (Napa and Shucks gave me the wrong ones) There were some changes made "mid-year" on the 03's... I guess if it was manufactured before April or May(??) it has different pads- but from what I've heard.. they aren't the same that they used on the 02's. Screwy... I know... (The production date is on the inside bottom of your door by the driver seat)

 

Get Ceramic too!!! you need them (plus they are also recommended by subaru)

 

Other than that.. just a bolt.. nut on the calliper and clip the pads out and put em in... replace the wheel.. TADA... no more grinding/squeeking! Ok.. so I made it sound too simple.....

The techies on here could help if ya need it...

I got the ceramics pads at Pep Boys.

 

Thanks

 

Funny my Forester only has 13,700. I do a lot of city driving.

Slip a piece of tubing over the bleeder screws and force the fluid out the bleeders rather than push it back through the system.

 

Then change your fluid. When your done changing pads, suck out most of the fluid from the reservoir and pump at least a pint of new fluid out of the calipers.

Well, Well, guess what?

 

They gave me wrong kind of brake pads and unless they see the old ones they would not exchange them.

 

Does anybody know the correct part number for Raybestos Ceramic Pads? The model they gave me is PGD721QS.

 

Thanks!

Careful About The Brake Pads!!!!!

Make Sure You Get The Right Ones!!!!

 

Get Ceramic too!!! you need them (plus they are also recommended by subaru)

 

Ok, I've never changed my own brake pads, nor am I an expert, but when I had the brake pads changed on my other car, I asked about ceramic pads, since the pads on my other car were producing a lot of brake dust. Some one told me ceramic was only good for racing applications since they really didn't start to effectively work until they got hot. During normal street applications, ceramic pads don't get hot enough.

 

When I bought my 00 forester last year, the brake pads were changed with some cheap semi-metallic pads. I hate them because they squeal like a pig. I may change them to save my sanity. If ceramics are the way to go, I may consider changing to them.

I put a set of Akebono ceramic pads on my 2000 Forester L. They are great. Not any dust to speak of & they stop very well. Also they are very quiet. These pads do not need to be warmed up before they work well like a racing pad does. I bought them locally, but you can buy the from the Tire Rack.

 

http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/index.jsp

 

Chuck

Crashton, how long have you had the ceramic pads on? Are your rotors wearing faster?

Crashton, how long have you had the ceramic pads on? Are your rotors wearing faster?

I've got about 8,000 miles on the brakes. I had the wheels off last week to chase down a noise. Turns out I had a piece of gravel jammed between the rotor & the dust shield. Guess I picked it up on a rally I ran. The rotors looked great, but they only have 8,000 miles on them too. I replaced them when I put the pads in. My guess is that the ceramics aren't going to be hard on the rotors, but only time will tell for sure.

 

Chuck