Can't lock them up

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:01 am

Yesterday I was driving down a local road and had to come to a sudden stop. Much to my dismay as I slammed as hard as I could on the brakes, the fronts didn't lock up. What the!? The fronts should easily lock up even with stock brakes and 195 wide tires. Would turning the rotors have any effect on this?

Note: The car is a 1991 Legacy L with 100% stock brake setup (minus the pads which are a standard metallic)

ericem · Post by **ericem** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:03 am

Do you have abs? mine from 50km and if i slam on the brakes WILL NOT lock, my brakes are really crappy, talking stock rotors and pad material and everything. I think the problem is the brake booster, or we need to change are fluid, as well as upgrade to braided lines. Its definitly not to safe IMO to drive it like this, never know when i will need to stop in a emergency.

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:06 am

The answer to that is no: The car is NOT equipped with ABS - otherwise I wouldn't expect the fronts to lockup

jamal · Post by **jamal** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:28 am

have you flushed or bled the fluid lately/ever?

I'd start there.

To check the MC, press the pedal down about half way and see if it sinks down below your foot.

Even with a bad booster and stock pads/rotors you should be able to lock up the brakes with enough force on the pedal.

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:19 am

Yea, when did you last change the fluid?

It's pretty impressive what good fluid and stainless lines can do over stock, 16 year old brakes.

I feel like my problem is the booster in my Forester. Even with my brake mods, it takes a LOT of pedal input to lock them up. I also partly blame the suspension being REAL sloppy.

I'm going to do a Single Stage booster and a Forester XT Master Cylinder at some point this summer (after I get the new rear setup together). That should help firm up the pedal and give me a really nice pedal feel.

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:56 am

The fluid in the car is ancient and you're probably right in that I need to start there. Then on with SS brake lines and other tasteful mods. Thanks!

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:25 pm

Pick up some Motul RBF 600. It's good fluid.

It's not worth it to spend money on good brake fluid when you will have to replace it again when you do SS lines.

Save up the $150 you need, and get lines and fluid at the same time.

If you want to be shocked, have a friend pump the brakes while you've got a hand on the brake line. After 16 years, you should be able to feel it bulging slightly.

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:05 pm

Be happy they don't lock up....

yeah....change the fluid & lines....Valvoline synpower brake fluid is good stuff, and is cheap. I'd recommend that.

jamal · Post by **jamal** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:36 pm

Even with old fluid and lines you should be able to lock up the brakes. I was thinking there might be some air in the system. You should check the MC, though.

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Can't lock them up

Can't lock them up