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WRX Rear brakes
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 4:45 pm
by QuickDrive
In terms of swapping.
How different are they?
Would one need the caliper, Braket, rotors and pads completely.
or are there some parts that are mix n match.
Reason being....
A: the availability of Turbo rear brake parts
B: Buying 2 used wrx rear brake sets as opposed to 2 new rear turbo.
C: I'm just bored...and looking to post
I know the performance gain won't be there. just wanting to know.
thx
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 5:19 pm
by vrg3
It'll be a performance decrease because the WRX brakes aren't ventilated. In every other way they're the same though.
You're right that you'd need to swap over the caliper, bracket, rotor, and pads.
You could swap over just the rotors, but then when your pads wear down they could just fall out of the calipers.
Is it hard to find turbo rear brake parts? What parts do you need? They're mostly the same as non-turbo wagon parts.
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 6:20 pm
by QuickDrive
as of now, I need a functional left rear caliper...
Not as easily rebuilt as one might think with hand tools..
Piston siezed. so I plopped it out deburred the pits and smoothed it out again, and in doing so to the cylinder wall, ripped the rubber
3 business days for one to get here via NAPA for 90$ cdn..
I wonder how long it will last with the rubber ripped as it is.... assuming I can manage to get it back together.
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 6:44 pm
by skid542
If all you need is the caliper, go source yourself a NA wagon caliper as they are the same. Making the change over to WRX will be a decrease in performance as Vikash said and I wouldn't think it would be too hard to find a used wagon caliper.
If you get the one put back together it should last you a few weeks. If you drive in really dusty conditions then a little less but it's not something that will fail within a couple days. Definately get it replaced as soon as possible but it will let you get around to some junkyards and such.
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 6:56 pm
by vrg3
I don't think the NA wagon caliper is the same. The piston size is the same, but it's not designed to fit the thicker vented rotor.
You ripped the rubber boot? I also would imagine it would do okay for a short while with a torn boot...
I can sell you a pair of used rear turbo calipers if you're interested... PM me if you are.
Can't you get rebuild kits at NAPA? I think I have a pair of rebuild kits with new seals somewhere around here that you could have for the price of shipping if I can find them. I'm not sure if they're for wagon/turbo calipers or for NA sedan calipers though, or if that's even a concern.
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 7:51 pm
by skid542
Good point V, I was overlooking the vented rotor

.
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 7:58 pm
by QuickDrive
Well, I think since The Caliper can be couriered here new in 3 days on monday then I should go new..
Would it be OK to just change one?
If not, what $$ would you be looking for Vikash.
I managed to get it back together and it's sliding alright, I just need to bleed the brakes now...
As an aside, I need front pads as well, possibly rotors too, so I guess I should be shopping for those as well.
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 8:02 pm
by vrg3
It should be fine to just replace one caliper, as long as you keep the pads and rotor.
For the fronts, if you can swing 16" wheels, I say a used set of WRX brakes is definitely the way to go.
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 8:02 pm
by skid542
You should be fine replacing just one caliper as long as it's a turbo caliper.
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 10:49 pm
by QuickDrive
I'd go WRX fronts, but my winter tires, which I just bought last year are on my stockers. and I'd rather just keep those and replace stock brakes.
The car is starting to show it's canadian age with rust and such, so I'll be driving/maintaining it as best I can and maybe buying a second better shape one within a year or 2.