I am about to replace my pads and shoes on my 87 GL Wagon and was wondering what brand of pads/shoes you guys would recommend? This is my first Subaru and I am wanting to try to put quality parts on it as it needs it. Thanks for the advice in advance.

Just go to the local auto parts store and ask for the highest grade of pads and shoes they sell. They last longer and stop more consistently than the cheaper ones. Get a brake hardware kit for the rear with all the little springs and clips...you'll thank yourself later when you assemble the brakes.

I get the LLT shoes at Autozone. With 250000 on my car, I've saved a bunch that way.

ask for the highest grade of pads and shoes they sell.

 

Second the motion. The cheap ones squeal like a banshee!

The only caveat to this would be that I've heard (from an independant subaru mechanic) that some of the ceramic brake pads are too hard, and will wear the rotors away without ever showing signs of wear themselves. I've never had trouble with this myself. I get the good generic pads and shoes from Checker auto, but not the subaru OEM ones. Usually about $24 for pads, $19 for shoes ('89 GL)

The only caveat to this would be that I've heard (from an independant subaru mechanic) that some of the ceramic brake pads are too hard, and will wear the rotors away without ever showing signs of wear themselves. I've never had trouble with this myself. I get the good generic pads and shoes from Checker auto, but not the subaru OEM ones. Usually about $24 for pads, $19 for shoes ('89 GL)

 

Oh yeah, definitely don't touch ceramic pads even with a ten foot pole if your car didn't come with them from the factory. Many many techs, professors, etc will back me up on this. They do chew up your rotors in no time.

 

I should have said get the best non-ceramic pads you can.