Brake Problems

[R98LGT]

I just purchased a 98' Legacy 2.5 GT and the problem I am having is that there is a leak on the brake line right before the junction block. Now If I were to replace the hard line from the block to the rear brakes hoses. I would need to remove the gas tank and the rear differential this is according to the manual.

Another issues is that basically the bolts on the rear of this car have rusted because of exposure to road salt and I was trying to avoid removing these bolts and be opening more can of worms.

I hope there is somebody out there that had to do the same thing and was able to find a solution.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/RearendRustyFasteners-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/BreaklinesReplaced-1.jpg

[chuckthefuk]

I did the something similar on a friends 97 Impreza Outback Sport.. i'ts identical to the legacy rear..

There is no easy way to tell you this.. you need to drop the tank.. and the diff... the Can of worms you are talking about will happen when you remove the T-Brace that holds the front of the diff to the body. These bolts on the ends of the "T" rust out so bad that depending on your body you may break the nut that's welded to the body.. This involves cutting a hole in your floor from the top to repair or replace the bolt..


I am sorry to be the one to give you the bad news... Subaru's are a bitch to work on when rusted... my condolences..

-Chuck

[R98LGT]

Thats bad news, what is the brace is that closer to the drive shaft side? Can I just drop the whole rear end by removing the struts, trailing arms, drive shaft and then the 4 bolts that hold the subframe to the body?

Maybe I should just route new lines to the rear brakes? Has anybody done this and have pictures where it was routed?

Happy Holidays!

[chuckthefuk]

You will need to remove:
-Diff outriggers (ends of the "T" brace)
-4 subframe bolts
-trailing arms from the body
-struts
-ebrake cable
-driveshaft or at least unbolt half of it

Pretty easy with a simple tranny/diff jack and some air tools to speed things up...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/4675457143_356274f1df_z-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/5073327555_357078aceb_z-1.jpg
-Chuck

[R98LGT]

Thanks Chuck, would re-routing the brake line be a much easier option?

Pros of re-routing

1. Less chances of breaking bolts because of rust
2. Less chances of disturbing more issues.
3. Easier to install
4. Easier to check and replace later on

Cons of re-routing

1. Non-OEM look

[loganmossmusic]

While working on my friends 95 Ford Ranger, we found his brake line to the rear was totally split, must have happened in some dirt on the way up to his house, but anyway it would have taken hours to get every thing out to do it exactly the way it was but we just put new lines in in a safer and easier to access place. Good decision.

[R98LGT]

I just did this over the weekend relocated the lines and it was easy and painless. :grin:

[Huffer]

Pics! Might be useful for someone else. :)

[R98LGT]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/IMG_2861-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/IMG_2862-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/IMG_2856-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/IMG_2859-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/IMG_2859-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/IMG_2851-1.jpg

I will take pictures of it under the car.

[chuckthefuk]

Mint! this is why SLi is golden...

[dereku]

I just had to do both my rear ones as well. I was able to get the fittings out of the junction block, and then I just ran new lines from there behind the crossmember (end closest to the rear of the car).

[R98LGT]

I could not longer get the fittings out of the junction block for re-use. I drove the car yesterday and it ran fine except for some torque bind when parking but aside from that she runs like a charm.

[R98LGT]

I ran into another issue one of the slide pins broke on the LH caliper. Now I need to buy the bracket for it. My question is can I use the bracket from the regular Legacy wagon which I believe is a single piston caliper. Can somebody tell me what years are interchangeable? I am trying to keep the original caliper and keep the cost down.

here are some pictures of what broke.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/IMG_28701-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/IMG_2871-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/12/IMG_28691-1.jpg

[Huffer]

^^ images no workie.

[chuckthefuk]

If I am not mistaken 95-97 use their own bracket and 98-99 uses a different one..

[R98LGT]

Just wanted to thank everyone for the gudance in getting this car back on the road here are some picture of how it looks today

Before:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/01/RearQuarterGood-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/01/SubieFront-1.jpg

During:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/01/IMG_2957-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/01/IMG_2994-1.jpg

After:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/01/IMG_3037-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/01/IMG_3039-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/01/IMG_3040-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/01/IMG_3041-1.jpg

Next is installing the STI struts from my 04 STI. Do you guys think I should drop the car a bit? What spring is inexpensive and works with the STI strut?