1

I have a 1999 Subaru Legacy Outback Wagon. A couple days ago, I noticed the back RH (passenger side) wheel started squeaking/making a high pitch sound while I'm driving. It's gotten louder the last few days, and is most noticeable with the windows down and driving slow(ish, like below 60 mph). It stops while I brake, and occasionally will stop/start when I'm accelerating or coasting, but it mostly tends to make sound if I'm not braking. I just replaced the brake pads/rotors about 3-4 months ago, but that back wheel also tends to have that burning brake smell if I check it out right after a drive. From looking at other questions, it seems like it might be a result of the pistons getting stuck/not releasing fully after braking, wearing down the pads, and causing the little brake noise scraper thing to scrape on the rotor. The bolt that this back wheel's caliper slides back and forth on to open and close also isn't the OEM part (I bought the car relatively recently and it looks like the previous owner may have done a brake job himself and replaced the original bolt with a part that didn't quite fit exactly).

My questions are these: Does it sound like I'm diagnosing the problem (something wrong with the calipers causing the brake pads to wear too quickly) correctly? And if I am, is the best fix to replace the pads/rotors, or replace the whole caliper too?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
0

It sounds like you are right, that your caliper seized and not releasing. In general you don't necessarily need to replace the caliper, it depends on why it's not releasing. If you have a caliper style with pins then sometimes you can get away with pulling the pins and cleaning the pins and guides before reassembling with lube. However, I don't think your Subaru has that style, so the caliper will need to be refurbished or replaced.

If you have the time and inclination you can probably buy a refurb kit and do it yourself, it's pretty straightforward and very cheap. If not you'll need to replace them. The market for refurbished parts seems healthy in many places, you'll get as good as new from a reputable shop.

A few other points:

  • I would replace/refurbish both rear calipers, if the right one is seized the other isn't going to be that far behind
  • You don't necessarily need to replace the rotor and pads, you'd do that on condition. Measure the thickness between left and right, if they are the same or close then you're probably good to go, as long as a visual inspection doesn't show any issues and the rotor isn't warped/glazed
  • Thoroughly bleed the right rear brake. A seized caliper can cause a lot of heating, cooking the brake fluid in the caliper and up the brake line and degrading the fluid. It's worth making sure the entire line's fluid is replaced
Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .