05 Legacy GT Limited brake upgrade

bcdeagle · 12-12-2010, 07:32 AM

I just bought an 05 Legacy GT Limited and the brake pedal is pretty long and spongy. Has anyone upgraded the brake package on a similar car, and if so what did you do? What parts did you use, etc? Thanks

Saul_Good · 12-12-2010, 08:29 AM

I'd start off upgrading/flushing the brake system with newer fluid and maybe some newer pads with a higher Mu (friction coeffiecient). That's a low cost alternative before even thinking about spending a grip of money on stuff you may not need or is considered overkill.

TSi+WRX · 12-12-2010, 08:33 AM

Welcome to teh .org.

Given the age and mileage of an '05, you can likely benefit by going with stainless-steel lines.

While you're there, go ahead and completely flush and bleed the assembly - and re-fill with good fluid. Routine bleeding can also help tremendously.

Better pads - and remembering to bed the pads properly - will also help tremendously with not only pedal-feel, but also with the actual braking abilities of the vehicle.

Truly, unless you track the car, you won't need a "big-brake kit." Well, unless, of course, you like the looks.

Like Saul said, there's actually very little that needs to be done to the BL/BP's brake hardware, to get it up-to-par.

Oh, and better tires will help - a lot.

**Dookie** · 12-13-2010, 02:23 PM

Just like the others, brake flush and bleeding will help tighten up things. Stainless brake lines will firm things up more.

As for the brakes it self, the most popular setup is getting a new pair of "blank" rotors and a set of Hawk HPS pads. This setup has been the #1 setup in the LGT community for daily street driving and light track days. A huge improvement over stock.

12-12-2010, 08:33 AM	#3
TSi+WRX Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cleveland/Shaker Hts., OH - USA Posts: 2,268	Welcome to teh .org. Given the age and mileage of an '05, you can likely benefit by going with stainless-steel lines. While you're there, go ahead and completely flush and bleed the assembly - and re-fill with good fluid. Routine bleeding can also help tremendously. Better pads - and remembering to bed the pads properly - will also help tremendously with not only pedal-feel, but also with the actual braking abilities of the vehicle. Truly, unless you track the car, you won't need a "big-brake kit." Well, unless, of course, you like the looks. Like Saul said, there's actually very little that needs to be done to the BL/BP's brake hardware, to get it up-to-par. Oh, and better tires will help - a lot. __________________ <-- I love Winky, my "periwinkle" (ABP) LGT! - Allen / Usual Suspect "DumboRAT" / One of the Three Stooges Me: '16 Outback 2.5i Limited Wifey: '16 WRX Premium CVT 7th Subaru Family

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12-12-2010, 07:32 AM	#1
bcdeagle Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2	05 Legacy GT Limited brake upgrade I just bought an 05 Legacy GT Limited and the brake pedal is pretty long and spongy. Has anyone upgraded the brake package on a similar car, and if so what did you do? What parts did you use, etc? Thanks

12-12-2010, 08:29 AM	#2
Saul_Good Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 20	I'd start off upgrading/flushing the brake system with newer fluid and maybe some newer pads with a higher Mu (friction coeffiecient). That's a low cost alternative before even thinking about spending a grip of money on stuff you may not need or is considered overkill.

12-13-2010, 02:23 PM	#4
Dookie ;-0 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fresno - The arm pit of CA Posts: 5,045	Just like the others, brake flush and bleeding will help tighten up things. Stainless brake lines will firm things up more. As for the brakes it self, the most popular setup is getting a new pair of "blank" rotors and a set of Hawk HPS pads. This setup has been the #1 setup in the LGT community for daily street driving and light track days. A huge improvement over stock.

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