WRX Front Brakes - A little info needed please

[Bosco]

I bought some WRX brake calipers, brackets, and lines from what I'm pretty sure was a 2002 WRX.
I bought them a couple months ago and have yet to put them to use.
I am gearing up to put them to work for me, but I am uncertain about a couple things...

#1:
I noticed that Tirerack has pads listed in 2 different ways.
"Front brake pads for models after 7/2002"
and "Front brake pads for models before 6/2002".

What is the difference?
More importantly, how do I know which ones I'll need?

#2:
Just to be sure, all 2002-2004 Non-STI WRXs have 11.4"rotors correct?
That is the size I am planning on purchasing to go with the calipers I have.

Thanks for any help on this.
-Bosco-

[Legacy777]

I thought it was the tabs on the pad itself, but I just looked at mine, and they are single tab pads. I'd suggest searching or asking over on the brakes & susp forum on nasioc. subysouth will probably know if you don't find an answer.

here's pics of mine. They are from a 02 wrx
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8 ... wrxbrakes/
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8 ... pers02.JPG

yes the rotors are all 11.4" in diameter

[vrg3]

Do you have the stock pads that go with the calipers you have? Read this page:

http://www.stoptech.com/faq/data/faq29.htm

[Bosco]

wow vrg3, you're quick!
I was just heading back here to post that same link!

Yes, I have located and measured the used pads that I got when I bought the calipers. They seem to be the oh-so-very-slightly larger ones.

I believe, from process of elimination over on the tirerack site, that the slightly larger ones are the post-7/2002 ones.

Thanks again!

[vrg3]

Wait, what?

D721 is the earlier size. D929 is the later size.

The overall dimensions are very close, but the earlier ones are bigger. They're 0.6mm wider and 2.9mm taller. They're also 1mm thicker.

I think the tabs on the later ones are slightly bigger.

[Bosco]

Oh... Thanks for the heads up.

How did you find that out?
I didn't notice the stoptech writeup mentioning which was earlier and which was later.

So I guess it really does make some sort of fitment issue?
It seems like some pretty small differences in size.

[vrg3]

Just from experience...

I did get a set of D929 pads (the later ones) for my 2002 WRX calipers, and they almost looked like they'd fit, but they just couldn't be made to fit.

As far as I know, all 2002 WRXes use D721 pads. Early 2003 WRXes do too. After that, they're D929.

[BAC5.2]

Production dates of up to 7/02 used the D721 pad. So that does put it as some early 03 cars having them.

If the brakes came from a 2002, they definately have the D721 pad.

[Bosco]

Thanks again.
Did the swap today! Now I got 02 WRX calipers/brackets, Brembo non-slotted rotors, and Akebono ceramic pads.
Feels like a huge upgrade, but maybe that's because my old caliper guide pins were frozen up, and only the inner pads were actually working.

I did happen to forgot to put in the shims with the new pads. DOH!
I hear no squealing though... Will it be ok like that?
I will probably tear in to it again and put them in considering I got brand new ones with my pads.

I believe I did bed the pads properly though, AFAIK.
I did several 65-70 to 5-10 mph decellerations, and made sure I drove it in the cool evening air for several miles before actually stopping. I have been careful to not sit with my foot on the brake the few times I stopped after that.

[professor]

>>>I did happen to forgot to put in the shims with the new pads. DOH!
I hear no squealing though... Will it be ok like that?
I will probably tear in to it again and put them in considering I got brand new ones with my pads.


It won't be a problem. When you put them in you can re-bleed the calipers easily, too. I find that you always get air a couple days later if you change calipers, some of it hides somewhere