SYFXT

To all the brake experts,

We had a mini Forester meet in NJ today. I drove to another FXT member house today. We notice that my rotor was not shiny but a bit rusty.

Of the 3 Foresters XT's
The ROTORS on the other two Foresters are all shiny (all four rotors).
We all drove about 30min to get to the same meet up location.

One has Stock rotor & Stock pads (I believe it's 07 FXT)
The other one has Slotted Rotor with upgarded pads (04 FXT).
My set up is Brembo BBK with aftermarket pads (I believe it's Project Mu).

One member suspect that I might have bubble inside the brake line/brake system. But when we installed the Brake Kits.. we bleed so many times til it feel like there is no air at all.

The Brake doesn't feel as strong as my WRX 02 Stock Rotors with Hawks pads.

Can anyone chime in and give me some idea? Does anyone have experience of the same feeling after upgrade to BBK in a Forester?

Could it be:

1. Air/bubble inside the brake line or brake system?
2. Bad brake pads? Should I change to another brake pad?
3. Need to upgrade to WRX or STI Master Cylinder to improve and make the most out of the BBK?

It's too dark now, otherwise, I'd take pix of the rotor when I can tomorrow.

Thanks in advance for all your help

Regards,
SYFXT

skippy124

A question.... In what orientation did you fit the calipers, the bleed nipple should be towards the top of the caliper. I know of someone who fitted calipers and put the left caliper on the right had side and vice versa. They will fit, but the bleed nipple will be towards the bottom fo the caliper, and they can't be bled properly.

SYFXT

Thanks!
Been there and done that about 10 years ago on my Nissan.
But on this Forester, it was install properly.

SYFXT

The Black Box

Are the pads new? How did you bed them in?

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'08 XT LTD/MT

twinturbozs

Ive read a few members who have upgraded their master cylinder stated it makes a difference in pedal feel.

ewong_kaizen

use a sharpie and make a mark on the rotor

Then drive down the block RIDING the brakes

stop

See if the pad scraped the sharpie mark off.

Me thinks the caliper has a piston stuck in the bore.
USUALLY this happens on the BACK side of the rotor where you cant see it (murphy's law)

Is possible that the pad is jammed in the caliper and is hanging up the piston - but if so - it means ya dont use the brakes veyr hard..

rebuild the calipers

vtbimmer

It definately sounds like a piston or two is frozen up. Pull the front pads and have someone step on the brake to see if they move. Use a C clamp to push them back in if they do. If not, its rebuild time.

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Smallest sig EVER!!! lol

audiomacgyver

Hey - why didn't I know about the meet! Oh right - its cause my car is gold :(

But yeah the sharpie thing is a good test - but get that sorted out quick.

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05 XT AT - My motto's always been 'when it's right, it's right'