Going junkyard shopping for brakes - what should I look for?

jblair · Post by **jblair** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 4:41 pm

I have a 93 Wagon and the brake rotors are shot. I'm going to the junkyard to look for some rotors (and maybe calipers) and I was wondering what I should look for.

Should I only get them off a wagon? If I find a newer model Subaru, what brake rotors and calipers would be considered and upgrade?

dscoobydoo · Post by **dscoobydoo** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:18 pm

Front or rear?

If front, get the new 06-on WRX fronts. Direct bolt-on and 4 pots!

If rear, then try to find the Turbo rears.

jblair · Post by **jblair** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:22 pm

Both. Oh, I and I forgot to mention that I want to keep the stock wheels. I doubt I'll find any turbos, but you never know. I'll probably find a bunch of sedans, maybe a wagon and some 93-95 Wagons.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:46 pm

If you want to keep the stock 14" wheels, you'll have to stick to regular N/A brakes. I think the brakes were bigger in the rear on the wagon, but the front were the same.

jblair · Post by **jblair** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:59 pm

There were some 95 and 97 turbo wagons, Outbacks, etc., but I wasn't sure if used rotors are worth it or not. Also, can anyone recommend a good online retailer for rotors?

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:43 pm

The best solution if you want rotors you'll probably never have to replace is to get OEM replacement Brembos or such and have them cryotreated (or buy them that way). That is not the cheapest solution unless you will drive the car over another 100k mi. and are hard on your brakes. Otherwise, I just recommend a brand-name OEM replacement. I don't recommend used rotors as rotors today are usually not serviceable - to keep weight down, they're pretty thin to begin with and cars' overall weight is very high. Combine that with stickier tires and better pads and you get a lot of heat into the rotors. Most used rotors will probably be worn pretty well already and with new OEMs somewhere around $40 each, it's kind of a false economy unless you really luck out with a find. I'm no passive safety Nazi, but I do value dynamic safety and I don't mess around when it comes to brakes. Even a minor bumper bang will cost you far more to fix than some decent brake parts to begin with (which you'll then have to buy anyway if you still can).

jblair · Post by **jblair** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:50 pm

Autozone has Duralast rotors for $31 and they have a two-year warranty. I'm thinking about going with those.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:13 pm

That's a good deal with the warranty. Buying used ones and having them turned, which wouldn't last, would probably cost you more than that. If you can find a place to cryo treat them, you might be able to get that done on the cheap.

n2x4 · Post by **n2x4** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:35 pm

Autozone rotors FTW. Cryotreating is a plus too. Get some decent pads and you'll be set.

Post by **Legacy777** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 3:19 pm

Cryotreating rotors is a huge benefit IMO. It does cost a little more, but longevity of the rotors is much more.

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Going junkyard shopping for brakes - what should I look for?

Going junkyard shopping for brakes - what should I look for?