milty60 Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 I have done probably a hundred brake jobs on 10 cars - I'm struggling with my Subaru. Due to stock shortage I bought the parking brake shoes at one part store and rotors at another parts store. I have the shoes installed on the left rear - cleaned lubed adjusted in to place - no gaps Star wheel adjuster is not extended. I attempted to put the rotor in place and it will not go on - no matter how I play with it - seems to be a 16 of an inch to small. Am I just rusty at doing brakes or are the shoes or rotors the wrong ones? I am calling auto parts stores now to double check for correct parts. The old rotors will not fit over the new shoes either. Eyeing the old rotors and new rotors look at least visually to be the same dimension. The shoes appear to be the same size too but since the old shoes were down to metal and or fell apart when I took them off its hard to know for sure. What an I missing? Any thoughts? I'll update this as soon as I verify purchased parts over the phone are correct. Thanks....Milty 1996 Subaru Legacy L four wheel drive with ABS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 Either the shoes aren't pulled back all the way or theyre the wrong ones. Is there any paint on the pivots that might be holding them out? I've had to grind edges down on pads and shoes before to get them to fit properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milty60 Posted October 8, 2016 Author Share Posted October 8, 2016 Per the parts stores - the shoes and rotors are correct - although, I still question the possibility of a wrong part. I triple checked the shoes they are pulled back all the way. No paint on pivots. Even grinding the edges seems like it may not be enough but I will try. ...Milty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahDL88 Posted October 9, 2016 Share Posted October 9, 2016 Is the brake off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted October 9, 2016 Share Posted October 9, 2016 some folks adjust the p-brakes at the handle, might have to take a look under the console? fairtax, is that possible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milty60 Posted October 9, 2016 Author Share Posted October 9, 2016 The hand brake is off and cable is fully backed off. I pulled the entire brake assembly off - started from scratch - wire brushed, sanded - lubed , anti seized , reset springs, and backed off the star wheel adjuster all the way down. The rotor now fits over the shoes and spins free but If I put the lug nuts on and tighten a hair passed snug - I have to muscle the heck out of the rotor to move it clockwise or counter clockwise - I pulled up and released the hand brake multiple times and pulled the rotor off and put it back on - but have the same issue if I snug up the lug nuts over a hair - I think I may drive the car a short distance with lugs just snug - up and down my road then jack up rear and test spinning the wheel - see results - if it spins - then I'll tighten lugs properly. Remember this is all with the star wheel not extended a thread - I need your advice. Thanks....Milty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted October 9, 2016 Share Posted October 9, 2016 How worn were your old shoes? I have had new shoes that were two thick. Is the adjuster screwed all the way in? If your old shoes have over a 1/8" pad on them, I'd use them. Remember it's only a parking Brake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milty60 Posted October 9, 2016 Author Share Posted October 9, 2016 Old shoes are down to metal. Adjuster is all the way in. I've only done the left rear driver side parking brake. Still need to do rear passenger parking brake (tomorrow) - very interested to see if I have same issue - FYI all parts are new. Still looking for more members thoughts/advice. Thanks...Milty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golucky66 Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 Did you/can you compare the new parking brake shoes? I saw that you compared the rotors but maybe its an issue with the shoes. You shouldn't have to drive the car and wear them in so they don't drag. If the rotor can't spin/spin fairly easily, something's wrong. If you compare them and they look the same (left wheel verse right wheel) there's probably another issue you might be missing. If they look different, return them and get a new set. Then check those before you leave the store. If the adjuster is all the way down, and you looked at the adjuster on the lever and both are adjusted down, its probably either the pad isn't sitting correctly for some reason. (but considering you've redone the job already and came up with a similar issue). It's probably an issue with the shoe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 did you try switching the pads side to side? if the problem travels with the switch, then the problem is with the pad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milty60 Posted October 10, 2016 Author Share Posted October 10, 2016 I have compared the shoes and rotors with the old stuff and each other - they're are perfect match. I have not tried switching pads side to side - that"s worth a try. I am working on the right rear parking brake this morning - I'll report back once complete. ...Milty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milty60 Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 I am having the same touble on the rear passenger side parking brake. If I properly torque the lug nuts the wheel is very very hard to turn if at all - if I back off and just snug the lugs then I can spin the wheel with a bit of drag. Please advise. ....Milty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferret Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 As far as the rotor being TIGHT or NOT TURNING AFTER you tighten the Lug Nuts, I have had this on MANY MANY aftermarket rotors. The problem is NOT with the parking brake at this time, but with the small RIM of the parking brake hub extending TOO FAR beyond the rear of the hub. As you tighten the lugs, this rim now squeezes against the backing plate to the point it will not turn. So what I have had to do MANY TIMES is get out my grinder and grind down the rear edge of that hub on the rear of the NEW rotor. If you look at the new rotor from the rear from the edge, you will see it does protrude. As to how much to grind off, some took just a little, others I had to remove quite a it,. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milty60 Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 I appreciate your tip. I will performing the grinding in the next few days and report back. Thanks, Milty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milty60 Posted October 15, 2016 Author Share Posted October 15, 2016 Did grinding on driver side rear - now rotor spins free with lugs tightened to specs - need to adjust star wheel - do passenger rear grinding and star wheel adj and adjust brake cable. Thanks for sharing the DIY knowledge Ferret - this was frustrating me for a while. .....Milty 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milty60 Posted October 17, 2016 Author Share Posted October 17, 2016 Both rear done now but I hear noise in left rear hub.... think it's a bad wheel bearing. ... Hear grinding when hub is spun by hand...never replaced one. ...will search forums and or ask for help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milty60 Posted October 17, 2016 Author Share Posted October 17, 2016 Having a hard time finding part - drivers side rear hub with bearing 4 wheel drive ABS - tried Rockauto, Advanceautoparts, Autozone, - all seem to have hub but only 2wd or non-abs flavor - I guess I could purchase only the bearing and install in current hub - has 117K miles on it. Any advice - where to get part or thoughts on bearing only Thanks, Milty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 on a 96, is the abs tone ring part of the axle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milty60 Posted October 18, 2016 Author Share Posted October 18, 2016 If I recall correctly its bolted to the hub - need to pull wheel to be sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Make sure the backing plate isn't rubbing on the rotor first. Also have you driven it to bed in the new pads? Mileage is kinda low for a wheel bearing to fail on that year. AWD the hub is pressed into the bearing after the bearing is pressed into the knuckle, so you can't buy a pre-assembled hub/bearing kit. Those will only be for FWD models. Use your old hub. 99% of the time there's nothing wrong with the hub. Buy a quality bearing like SKF or Timken, or get an OE Subaru bearing through an online dealer. Also be sure to replace both seals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milty60 Posted October 18, 2016 Author Share Posted October 18, 2016 Appreciate all the info - so if it is pressed into the knuckle first - can I DIY it or do I need to remove knuckle take into a service shop to have bearing pressed in and then followed by hub? The backing plate is rusty and parts are gone due to rust - I had to grind down part of the rotor so it would not rub against backing plate - (advised in my thread above this is a known issue with aftermarket rotors parts - I had to grind down the opposite rotor as well when I did complete parking brakes shoes and pads). I almost suspect the bottom parking brake spring that lays against the star wheel is a bit close to the back of the tone ring and may be rubbing as I spin the wheel and I am blaming it on the bearing. I need to remove the wheel and take a closer look. Thoughts? ....Milty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milty60 Posted October 18, 2016 Author Share Posted October 18, 2016 I have not driven it to bed with the new pads. ....Milty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 you might be able to coat some suspected parts with different colored crayon. assemble, spin,remove and inspect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milty60 Posted October 19, 2016 Author Share Posted October 19, 2016 Good idea - will do this weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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