SeanC Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 Hello all- I replaced the rear rotors and calipers on my '95 Legacy L wagon a few months ago. I bought the rotors and calipers from Autozone. When I was putting on my snow tires the other week I noticed something didn't look right. It looks like the rotor surfaces that the pads clamp onto is not lined up in the center of the caliper bracket. Consequently, the outer pads are riding on the very edge of the bracket. I'm a little embarrased that I didn't notice this when I was changing the rotors! Please see the following link for clarifying pictures. *Note - I've never replaced the caliper bracket or anything else really, except the rotors and calipers (and pads). http://www.targetcustomer.com/hiddenurl/subaru.htm Picture 1 is the right rear hub taken from the back looking forward. I've removed the caliper. Notice that the rotor is not centered in the bracket, it looks too far towards the center of the car. In fact its almost rubbing against the bracket. (The rotor is snug against the hub, where it would be if the wheel were bolted on.) In Picture 2 I've inserted the pads and circled the area of concern - the outer pad is right at the end of the bracket. It would seem the inner pad isn't in the right place either! In Pic 3 I've removed the bracket. The obvious conclusion here is that I've got the wrong sized rotors. So I took the old rotor back to Autozone to compare it to a new one (after verifying the part number). Unfortunately, the old and new were virtually identical. Someone tell me I'm not crazy - this doesn't look right, right? Is it possible that Autozone just has the wrong part? Is this normal? I would be surprised. Any insight would be appreciated. thanks -Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcspeer Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 Did you check the other side? I have drums on the rear of mine So I know I am not much help. If the other side looks o.k. check and see if both sides are put together the same. Hello all- I replaced the rear rotors and calipers on my '95 Legacy L wagon a few months ago. I bought the rotors and calipers from Autozone. When I was putting on my snow tires the other week I noticed something didn't look right. It looks like the rotor surfaces that the pads clamp onto is not lined up in the center of the caliper bracket. Consequently, the outer pads are riding on the very edge of the bracket. I'm a little embarrased that I didn't notice this when I was changing the rotors! Please see the following link for clarifying pictures. *Note - I've never replaced the caliper bracket or anything else really, except the rotors and calipers (and pads). http://www.targetcustomer.com/hiddenurl/subaru.htm Picture 1 is the right rear hub taken from the back looking forward. I've removed the caliper. Notice that the rotor is not centered in the bracket, it looks too far towards the center of the car. In fact its almost rubbing against the bracket. (The rotor is snug against the hub, where it would be if the wheel were bolted on.) In Picture 2 I've inserted the pads and circled the area of concern - the outer pad is right at the end of the bracket. It would seem the inner pad isn't in the right place either! In Pic 3 I've removed the bracket. The obvious conclusion here is that I've got the wrong sized rotors. So I took the old rotor back to Autozone to compare it to a new one (after verifying the part number). Unfortunately, the old and new were virtually identical. Someone tell me I'm not crazy - this doesn't look right, right? Is it possible that Autozone just has the wrong part? Is this normal? I would be surprised. Any insight would be appreciated. thanks -Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanC Posted January 4, 2006 Author Share Posted January 4, 2006 Sorry, I should have mentioned that - yes, both rear rotors were replaced and have the same problem, I just posted pictures of one side. I'm fairly certain everything is put together correctly as it is a fairly straightforward procedure. Any ideas? should I just break down and buy some Brembo rotors from tirerack? Did you check the other side? I have drums on the rear of mine So I know I am not much help. If the other side looks o.k. check and see if both sides are put together the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 i agree, something doesn't look rigth. great idea with the pictures, i would have never gotten that in my head with words. i'm not sure what to say, but looks like something is wrong. did you ever remove the brake caliper completely? i think on some the mounting holes of the brake caliper can line up to the inside or the outside of the backing plate (the two bolts that hold the caliper assembly to the hub). make sure it's bolted up to the right side of the backing plate...inner or outer as that would cause an issue somewhat similar to what you have here. might want to doubt check on the rotors too, see if there are difference between AWD, FWD, ABS and NON-ABS...might be slightly different rotors. or take them into the store and compare to the same set (i've seen the part in the box not be what the box says it is). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanC Posted January 4, 2006 Author Share Posted January 4, 2006 Yeah, I thought I might have bolted the caliper bracket onto the wrong side of the mounting plate, but it really only goes on one way. The mounting plate has a curved outer edge on the inside surface so the bracket doesn't work on that side. I'll look into rotor differences for FWD/ABS, etc. Incidentally I did take the rotors into autozone and held both new and old in my hands to compare them - identical! i agree, something doesn't look rigth. great idea with the pictures, i would have never gotten that in my head with words. i'm not sure what to say, but looks like something is wrong. did you ever remove the brake caliper completely? i think on some the mounting holes of the brake caliper can line up to the inside or the outside of the backing plate (the two bolts that hold the caliper assembly to the hub). make sure it's bolted up to the right side of the backing plate...inner or outer as that would cause an issue somewhat similar to what you have here. might want to doubt check on the rotors too, see if there are difference between AWD, FWD, ABS and NON-ABS...might be slightly different rotors. or take them into the store and compare to the same set (i've seen the part in the box not be what the box says it is). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legacy777 Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 Looks like you have a set of vented rotor calipers on there from the 91-94 turbo legacy http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8080/subaru/images/tlegbrakes/ The hubs are the same, so with the way those calipers look, I'd maybe look at trying to get another set of calipers for the non-vented rotor. Or you can try and get vented rotors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanC Posted January 5, 2006 Author Share Posted January 5, 2006 I'm not sure I'm following you Legacy777 ... I think you're saying that the caliper bracket looks like the one in your pics - for a 91-94 turbo? (I'm calling the bracket the thing with the greased pin that the caliper attaches to). hmmm, I guess that could cause this problem, although I've never replaced those brackets ... as far as I know they are OEM. It's remotely possible that the previous owner replaced the bracket with the turbo type, but I doubt it, I don't recall her being the DIY type. Plus I definitely bought standard type calipers and they fit on those brackets no problem. Would the turbo type bracket fit both types of calipers? Maybe I'll take off the bracket again and compare it more closely to your pictures (once it stops snowing). thanks for your help. Looks like you have a set of vented rotor calipers on there from the 91-94 turbo legacyhttp://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8080/subaru/images/tlegbrakes/ The hubs are the same, so with the way those calipers look, I'd maybe look at trying to get another set of calipers for the non-vented rotor. Or you can try and get vented rotors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcspeer Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 What did you do with your old rotors? The part number may be the same but the rotors may not be. I have run into this problem at Auto Zone while replacing rotors on a Chev. Lumina car. they fit fine but the wheel would not go on, and the computer at Auto Zone showed they were suppose to be the right one. I had to bring them my old one and have them match it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legacy777 Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 The caliper and bracket (thing with the greased pin that the caliper slides on) both are slightly wider on the 91-94 turbo legacy rear brakes to accomodate the vented rotor. I've got my old calipers that used the solid rotor. I can dig them out and take pictures if you'd like. But from what I'm seeing in your pics, the opening is way too large for a solid disc rotor. I'm not sure I'm following you Legacy777 ... I think you're saying that the caliper bracket looks like the one in your pics - for a 91-94 turbo? (I'm calling the bracket the thing with the greased pin that the caliper attaches to). hmmm, I guess that could cause this problem, although I've never replaced those brackets ... as far as I know they are OEM. It's remotely possible that the previous owner replaced the bracket with the turbo type, but I doubt it, I don't recall her being the DIY type. Plus I definitely bought standard type calipers and they fit on those brackets no problem. Would the turbo type bracket fit both types of calipers? Maybe I'll take off the bracket again and compare it more closely to your pictures (once it stops snowing). thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanC Posted March 22, 2006 Author Share Posted March 22, 2006 Very late follow-up, but I just wanted to close this out - indeed they were brackets for a vented/turbo rotor, great call Legacy777!! No idea how they got on there as I never changed them and it doesn't seem like a part that would fail or require replacing. Perhaps it was wrong from the factory? Now everything looks right with the OEM brackets on there. Anyway, maybe someone else will benefit from this info some day! thanks all -Sean The caliper and bracket (thing with the greased pin that the caliper slides on) both are slightly wider on the 91-94 turbo legacy rear brakes to accomodate the vented rotor. I've got my old calipers that used the solid rotor. I can dig them out and take pictures if you'd like. But from what I'm seeing in your pics, the opening is way too large for a solid disc rotor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcspeer Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 That was indeed a great call Legacy 777 Very late follow-up, but I just wanted to close this out - indeed they were brackets for a vented/turbo rotor, great call Legacy777!! No idea how they got on there as I never changed them and it doesn't seem like a part that would fail or require replacing. Perhaps it was wrong from the factory? Now everything looks right with the OEM brackets on there. Anyway, maybe someone else will benefit from this info some day! thanks all -Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Thanks for the follow-up - too often we never figure out what happens because the person never responds back - better late than never! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legacy777 Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 Glad you got it squared away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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