WRX brakes: The saga continues!

[TypeC]

in reference to http://i-club.com/forums/showthread....threadid=81727 about the messed up WRX front brakes.

Ok, My brakes have had the same grooves and extreme brake dust since I bought the car (all described in above thread). Lately the brakes shudder under braking and I can now hear a metal grinding noise! Then to top it off, last night I was parked in a sloped driveway and when I put the E-brake on THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP!! Even when I put my foot on the brakes IT WOULDN'T STOP!! I had to jam it in gear. I did the repeatidly with the same results. Once I started the car, the breaking was there, so I'm guessing the brake boost (which amplifies braking) made up for the difference. I didn't know what to think so I took it to the dealer this morning.

Funny. I told them all about it and how the rotor have been groovy, and I get a weeks worth of brake dust in one day (others can verify this) and the guy Says The brakes are SUPPOSED to have grooves! They come from the factory that way! WTH?!! I told them that isn't right, look at any other car on the lot (this is $hitty Northpark with different makes there).

When I told him about the brakes not working on a hill he said On a big hill the e-brake won't work WHAT THE F*CK IS THAT?!?!!!! I told him to his face that that is bull and ALL of my cars' brakes work on hills INCLUDING THIS CAR which worked until last night (it actually did this the first week I got it too). I'll bet MONEY that they are going to call me today and say nothing is wrong with my car. Screw them, It's time to call in the feds or something because I'm not going to die because Subaru is being cheap and doesn't want to lose faith. Absolute Bull!

-C

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[Dori Dori]

Change your pads and cut your rotors before they warp. The stock pads suck anyway...a good aftermarket race pad will do wonders. BTW-change that fluid too.

[TypeC]

Originally posted by Ant WRX
Change your pads and cut your rotors before they warp. The stock pads suck anyway...a good aftermarket race pad will do wonders. BTW-change that fluid too.

I've only had my car for like 6 weeks, I aint changing $hit!! Hell no. I'll keep going up the ranks until someone fixes this. I could see a $9K Kia, but were talking almost $30K here!

[North Ursalia]

Whoa! I got trigger happy I guess .

[North Ursalia]

The parking brake on the WRX is a set of friction pads which press against the drum cast into the rear rotor. It was NEVER meant to hold a MT car on a hill. The grooved rotor thing is worrysome though, but most WRX's I have seen, the grooves go away. The problem does appear to be the brake pads though- whatever they put on there stock are horrible. The OEM replacement pads are different from whatever the factory put on- try and get the dealership to meet you halfway and give you a set of the replacement pads.

Brian
http://www.northursalia.com
http://www.imprezamods.com
http://www.scoobymods.com
Conjunction Junction, what's your function?

[Jon Bogert]

TypeC, the WRX may have a rally car motor but it has economy car brakes. This is not a defect, it is a budget-driven design choice. Even the president of SOA doesn't have good brake pads to give you. Clean up or replace your rotors and get some decent brake pads.

[TypeC]

Originally posted by North Ursalia
The parking brake on the WRX is a set of friction pads which press against the drum cast into the rear rotor. It was NEVER meant to hold a MT car on a hill. The grooved rotor thing is worrysome though, but most WRX's I have seen, the grooves go away. The problem does appear to be the brake pads though- whatever they put on there stock are horrible. The OEM replacement pads are different from whatever the factory put on- try and get the dealership to meet you halfway and give you a set of the replacement pads.

Brian
http://www.northursalia.com
http://www.imprezamods.com
http://www.scoobymods.com
Conjunction Junction, what's your function?

No, the hill ISN'T tall at all. IN FACT it has held fine the other 100 times that I've parked in that driveway (my mom's place). Not only that, but I USED THE FOOT BRAKE TOO and the car kept moving. I know how the braking system works and applied the extra force needed to overcome manual braking, but to no avail. If you read the above link, we talked for like 5 pages about the issue. This is just an add-on since the clever mods locked the WRX non-technical. Grinding brakes, shuddering steering wheel (disks), and inablility to stop IS a problem, especially after only 4K miles.

-C

[TypeC]

Originally posted by Jon Bogert
TypeC, the WRX may have a rally car motor but it has economy car brakes. This is not a defect, it is a budget-driven design choice. Even the president of SOA doesn't have good brake pads to give you. Clean up or replace your rotors and get some decent brake pads.

again, read the above link. Even economy cars should stop when you press the brake pedal.

[aov]

Sounds like you have lemon brakes I have also noticed the parking brake sucks. Even on flat ground it doesn't stop the car from rolling. I have never had a car that I felt so uncomfortable leaving on a hill than the WRX. I always make sure to leave the car in gear, and to turn the wheels to the side so it won't roll straight down. I have not had any problems with brake dust or grooves and have not heard of anyone else complain about it so that sounds like a problem on your car. Keep taking it back and hopefully SOA will finally fix it.

Good luck,

-anders

[rkkwan]

Calm down and separate the two issues. The emergency brake and the regular brakes are two different system. Mixing them together will not help you win argument on this board or with the dealer.

Now, with the grooves and hydraulic brakes, there's more than enough posts elsewhere. You may or may not have any real problem. I can't tell from just reading.

On the other hand, your handbrake should be able to hold a car except on a very steep slope. And it did on your car. So, you have a emergency brake issue... no question about that. Have them adjust the cable. In the manual, it says you should get full force on the brakes with 6-7 clicks.

Finally, screaming profanity isn't going to help you much on this board.

-Ray

[gtguy]

It seems that the original poster has defective brakes, and should endeavor to rectify that matter with the dealer. The excessive dusting isn't a good thing, and the other symptoms don't sound very good, either. My e-brake holds my car (WRX wagon) just fine on a hill.

I got the grooves, as did many others, but mine went away in short order. My brakes rock, especially with Goodridge lines and SuperBlue in the system. The stock pads are fine, very good actually, though you will notice an improvement with aftermarket pads, which is to be expected.

The brake problems that you describe don't even sound like RE92 issues, or overdriving the car. Those sound like bum brakes.

And I WISH that economy cars got brakes like the WRX! Can you see some Kia driver with those front wheels stuffed with almost 12" brake discs with two-piston calipers? On a car that light? Rock ON!

Can you tell that I must disagree with the "economy car brakes" comment?

I'm lucky, in that I have not had any problems with my car. Then again, I didn't drive it a mile on RE92s, so I dunno. But, no CE lights, one rattle that the dealer fixed, a windshield that all kinds of stuff has bounced off, two paint chips (one self-induced), and that's it. My car goes like stink, the brakes haul it down wonderfully, it's a fantastic car. It bums me out when people can't share my experience, but...

It also bums me out when people just go crazy with statements and problems, potential or otherwise, on this board. Subaru would not bring over a dangerous car, and the brakes have received laudatory comments in many of the WRX reviews. We've clamored for this car, almost deified it, and now that it's here, every little thing that isn't perfect about it becomes the thread from hell. Take a chill pill, lads. Unfortunately, not every car coming off the line is perfect, which is too bad. That's why they have warranties, however, and the dealer shouldn't have any problem with making it right, despite the idiot mechanic ("They come that way..." puh-leeze!).

Kevin

[topher]

I always thought these brakes worked extremely well, i mean 60-0 in 114ft. is quite good.

[TypeC]

Originally posted by rkkwan
Calm down and separate the two issues. The emergency brake and the regular brakes are two different system. Mixing them together will not help you win argument on this board or with the dealer.

Now, with the grooves and hydraulic brakes, there's more than enough posts elsewhere. You may or may not have any real problem. I can't tell from just reading.

On the other hand, your handbrake should be able to hold a car except on a very steep slope. And it did on your car. So, you have a emergency brake issue... no question about that. Have them adjust the cable. In the manual, it says you should get full force on the brakes with 6-7 clicks.

Finally, screaming profanity isn't going to help you much on this board.

-Ray

I know there are two issues. I was (rightfully) pissed when the service guy started spouting Bull. I've had several cars and rebuilt the brakes on them and none of them act this way.

I love the car, and the brakes (when working right) are AWESOME! I can stop at the end of the 1320 doing over 100 and make the first gate with ease (my GSR would have humming brakes and I'd have dow keep downshifting to make it).

I'm just sharing this with other, and want it to be fixed. Replacing ANYTHING (other than oil, etc) is obsurd at 6 weeks into owning a car.

[Dori Dori]

Originally posted by TypeC
I'm just sharing this with other, and want it to be fixed. Replacing ANYTHING (other than oil, etc) is obsurd at 6 weeks into owning a car.

You bought a MBC b/c you wanted your car to go faster. Tuners upgrade their brakes to make the car stop faster. A good start would be race pads/oil/cross drilled or slotted rotors. Start with the pads and consider it an upgrade, not a replacement.

As far as your inability to keep the car from rolling on a hill...well that's another story.

[TypeC]

UPDATE:
They fixed the ebrake. They reported it being "inoperative" which is good. They said that they couldn't duplicate the grinding or wobbling braking though.

Hmm, I'll keep an eye out for new pads. Any suggestions?

I've only been without my car for about 8 hrs and I missed it so much!

[gtguy]

"Inoperative..." No @$#%!

Kevin