I finally found the motivation to service my brakes on my 03 OBW today. That meant bleeding the fluid and replacing it with fresh fluid, taking the calliper pins out and re-lubing them, removing the callipers/rotors and all the asociated brake hardware to clean them and I usually use anti-seize on all the nuts and bolts that I remove so as to prevent them from rusting shut.

 

Everything went well until I was trying to remove the rear calliper brackets. The callipers were easy to remove but I could only remove the top bolt off the calliper bracket as the bottom bolt was blocked. I tried various extensions that I had, also using a long socket but I just couldn't get to the bolt. I feel that it should be very simple and I'm missing something here. Anyone have any suggestions? I would like to turn the rear rotors as I am getting a some vibration from them.

 

The other thing is that I did not realise that the OBW front callipers were dual piston ones. This is the first vehicle that I own that has them. The pads seem to be wearing very evenly at this point. Very pleased with subie brakes.

Soak in WD40 or similar. At least twenty minutes, then tap lightly with a hammer and try again...

What I meant was trying to get access to the bolt because it is at a wierd position. I couldn't get any extensions or ratchets to fit. Apart from using the universal joint(which I try not to when breaking bolts free), I can't think of anything else.

 

Soak in WD40 or similar. At least twenty minutes, then tap lightly with a hammer and try again...

Hmm, my Proxxon socket set must be just right for Subarus. I think the socket itself makes a big difference. I have two extensions, on is about 4 inches the other about 8 inches, and together with the non-ratchet driver I was able to pull the rear caliper supports off my Legacy - hadn't been touched in 12 years when I did them! I believe I used the 8 inch extension. And a foot long driver extension to get the torque.

 

I agree that the uni-joint is not to be used for breaking bolts and nuts loose!

 

 

How far a drive is it for you to come to Copenhagen??????

Hi,

 

Have you tried a box-end, or ring, wrench? Those work well in low-clearance spaces.

 

Regards,

Adnan

I can't understand why you would have a problem getting a socket/extension combination that would allow removal of the rear caliper mounting bracket. As I recall on my 02 OBW (its been 3 months or so ago), I used a standard metric socket and either a 6 inch extention by itself or with another 3 inch extention on the end of the 6 inch to remove the bolt. I'm almost certain that my 97 OBW used the same procedure.

For the brakes on the outback I use a combination of box end wrenches and sockets on one of these...

 

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00944815000&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&cs=e5

 

I do remember some bolts on the rear brakes being impossible to remove with sockets, at least the limited assortment of sockets I have. I always resort to a wrench and a hammer.