I've got a 2000 Forester that I picked up last spring. I've pulled the wheels and looked at the breaks and even replaced the drums, but it just feels like it has soft brakes. Anybody have a simular feeling about thier subie??

jabez3,

 

The spongy feeling of the brake pedal could indicate that you have air in the brake lines that needs to be bled out. Its an easy procedure, inexpensive, and, since the car is 6 years old, it probably was due for a brake flush with new fluid anyway (usually every 3 years). If the brakes are still spongy afterwards, changing all 4 brake hoses (the ones from each caliper to the frame) from rubber to braided steel hoses will make a difference.

Right, it's probably air. This is NOT normal. Bleeding isn't that difficult, keep at it until all the fluid is flushed.

 

Info:

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_howto_bleedbrakes.shtml