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Old 10-03-2007, 11:22 PM   #1
03wagonlse
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Default Brakes for a 2003 L-SE Wagon

I have a 2003 L-SE Wagon and it is in need of brakes. I have been searching all night on the subject and I think I am more confused now than I was before. The brakes on this car have always sucked, so I would like to get some better braking performance.

I'm curious what the best bang for the buck would be for the BH, I see a lot of higher performance rotors and pads on TireRack, but I'm not really sure which would be the best for a daily driver. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 10-04-2007, 09:14 PM   #2
rougeben83
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pads and fluid, and new rotors.

If you don't mind a lot of dust, I suggest Axxis Ultimates for the good progressive pedal and initial bite.
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Old 10-05-2007, 07:03 AM   #3
JLow03
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I just ordered Hawk Performance Street pads for my BE sedan - will let you know my results.

I've been exploring this topic, too - I'll be looking to upgrade my rotors soon.
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Old 10-05-2007, 10:00 AM   #4
Matt
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I think Brembo makes stock size rotors for the Legacies, with some Hawk or Carbotech pads. I've had excellent luck with both. Also, you can try some Castrol GT-LMA brake fluid, its cheap but works well and can be found at better auto parts stores. That has worked for me in the past with good results.

I wouldn't go all out for cross drilled or slotted rotors unless you are taking the car to a road course on a frequent basis.
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Old 10-05-2007, 10:13 AM   #5
03wagonlse
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Thanks for the input.

I think I am leaning towards the Brembo plain rotors (at least for the front since the rear ones are back ordered with no estimated date on TireRack) and Hawk pads at the moment from what I have read.
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Old 10-05-2007, 11:29 AM   #6
jey
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rougeben83 View Post
If you don't mind a lot of dust, I suggest Axxis Ultimates for the good progressive pedal and initial bite.
+1. And they probably will have a size that fits your smaller "L" brakes too.

I just checked Carbotech's website and it seems they still don't have anything for us "L" people. However, give them a call - they are extremely knowledgeable and friendly.
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Old 10-05-2007, 01:45 PM   #7
rougeben83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jey View Post
+1. And they probably will have a size that fits your smaller "L" brakes too.

I just checked Carbotech's website and it seems they still don't have anything for us "L" people. However, give them a call - they are extremely knowledgeable and friendly.
Yeah, depends on the year though, you'll have to check. The BE's either got the newer style 03+ WRX pad (like mine when it was stock) or the older style pad like the BD legacy. The pad is available, you just have to check which style you have.

Valvoline Synpower is a good brake fluid from what I hear. It's boiling points are about the same as the ATE Blue and Motul stuff, and it's cheap and readily available.
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Old 10-05-2007, 05:03 PM   #8
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Your car has 276mm 2-pot front brakes, and there are a ton of pads that will fit since it's the same pad shape as an 03 WRX.

Good pads and a fluid flush is really all you need to make the brakes feel better.

If you actually want to stop in a shorter distance, better tires are the only thing that will make that happen.
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Old 10-05-2007, 05:44 PM   #9
jey
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamal View Post
Your car has 276mm 2-pot front brakes, and there are a ton of pads that will fit since it's the same pad shape as an 03 WRX.

Good pads and a fluid flush is really all you need to make the brakes feel better.

If you actually want to stop in a shorter distance, better tires are the only thing that will make that happen.
Oh yeah, forgot to cross reference the Impreza. Looks like there are a wealth of brake pads available to you from Carbotech then:

http://ctbrakes.com/pads/subaru.html

+1 on the pads + fluids + tires: that's all I did (kept my puny little 10.1" fronts) and it was a huge difference, the brakes keep up very well for AutoX and Track Days. You guys with your bigger brakes should be just fine unless you're doing a lot of towing or something.
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Old 10-06-2007, 12:17 PM   #10
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I know finding pads for my BH is a pita....Only cause I have the older smaller ones and every parts store I go too give me the WRX stuff. Dont the 03 Limited's have the WRX brakes?...If so it shouldn't be any problem finding the upgrades. And swap your rear's to the H6's and look for the H6 rear brembos they should be avalible.

Are you guys with the H6's feeling better stopping power? Are they worth it are more for show?
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Old 10-08-2007, 09:05 PM   #11
03wagonlse
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Well I decided to go with Brembo rotors up front (they were out of rear ones) and just standard ones from a local parts store in the rear with Hawk pads all around, also picked up a set of stainless steel lines since they were on clearance at TireRack.
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Old 10-20-2007, 02:39 AM   #12
03wagonlse
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Just changed the brakes, all I have to say is WOW! The car stops so much quicker than it use to, I'm very happy with that setup.
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Old 10-20-2007, 04:02 AM   #13
rougeben83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 03wagonlse View Post
Just changed the brakes, all I have to say is WOW! The car stops so much quicker than it use to, I'm very happy with that setup.
How hard was it to change the brake lines? Got any advice? I just got my G-stops the other day

The little nuts for the lines don't seem to rotate freely from the line like on the Earl's lines I had before...was that the same as yours?
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Old 10-20-2007, 11:48 AM   #14
03wagonlse
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Never did the brake lines, couldn't get any of the rear lines apart, sprayed them with some penetrating oil the day before, didn't seem to help, the wrench started to round off the fittings, so I stopped. Not sure what the deal is, I changed the rusted brake lines on my 40 year old Land Cruiser a couple weeks ago and I didn't have nearly as much problems getting them apart.
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