353 replies to this topic

[applegeek897]

September 2017: Pads have arrived now so it’s time to move onto brakes, product shots first of course.

 

Rotors wise I decided to go for a set of Slotted DBA T2’s for a decent value to performance to bling ratio, I do love how they look.

 

 

 

They are big.

 

 

 

And after a shipping mishap the rears arrive some time later.

 

 

 

Not as big but still good looking.

 

 

 

The pads were a fairly easy choice, it seems to be what most people with these setups go for, I’ve heard nothing but good things and the price is pretty good.

 

While I was keen to have a look there was mishap with Garage 88 and I was sent pads for a JDM spec BPE which apparently doesn’t have the same brake setup as Australia.

 

 

 

After figuring out the issue I contacted Garage 88 and they had the correct parts next day. Truely epic customer service.

 

Now onto the correct goodies, Dixcel Type-M pads front and rear.

 

 

 

Goodies in the front.

 

 

 

Goodies in the back.

 

 

 

Not so sure how I feel about the gold but oh well.

 

 

 

Lastly was onto braided lines. The car already currently STI lines in the front but still has the old lines in the rear. So rather then just replacing one thing, I would just be better off replacing everything. BCW came to the rescue again and supplied some Hel Braided Brake Lines, in a stealthy all black.

 

 

 

They feel quality and also come with the necessary hardware.

 

 

 

Before I start pulling anything apart I wanted to get started on flushing all the old fluid, cause who knows how long it’s been in there. I certainly haven’t changed it in the last two years of ownership. I decided on some Castrol React Performance Dot 4, also something that seems like a popular choice on Liberties.

 

 

 

Up and ready for work.

 

 

 

Started with pulling out a load of the old fluid out of the master cylinder to make thing a bit easier.

 

 

 

Ghetto bottle at the ready and the flushing could begin. Starting with passenger rear, being the furthest away from the master cylinder.

 

 

 

After doing the rear we cleaned out alot of the shit and things were looking much cleaner, there also a small amount of air in the system which is interesting, irrelevant though. Once that was done it was time to turn to the fronts. To my extreme frustration the previous owner, whether it was a workshop or him, managed to make the bleed nipple into a vertically perfect circle on both sides. So for now that’s going to be for flushing and that also means I won’t be able to do the braided lines either. Oh well, Benny has got a set for me that he is sending first thing on Monday so it’s not the biggest problem.

 

 

At least in the meantime I can get the pads and rotors sorted.

 

 

Line disconnected from coilovers.

 

 

Caliper off.

 

 

The guide-pins were removed so they could get a proper clean with some new silicon paste applied.

 

 

 

Pads could then come off, more meat them I thought left on them.

 

 

 

Caliper mounting bracket was next.

 

 

 

Rotor could then come off, man so happy to see these RDA’s go, they were so badly warped it’s insane.

 

 

 

The hub got a good sanding and a healthy does of copper anti-seise.

 

 

Rotors on.

 

 

Before the caliper could go back on the pistons needed a good clean. I was happy to see the pistons were in decent shape, no splits.

 

 

 

Better.

 

 

 

Then wound back.

 

 

 

Pads could then go in and done.

 

 

 

The other side could then be done.

 

 

 

It was then time to tackle the rear. These seemed to really be on their last leg, even cracking in some places.

 

 

 

First thing was this arm, it needed to move out the way to make the access to bit easier to the calliper bolts.

 

 

 

I also removed on of the end-links to get a big of movement out of the rear swaybar, Subaru don't make access easy.

 

 

 

Calliper then removed.

 

 

 

The old rotor did not want to come off but with the help of a mallet and a bolt eventually it came loose.

 

 

 

Handbrake shoes seem to be ok for now, they've done their job up until this point so they'll be fine for now.

 

 

 

The hub and dust shields then got a bit of a clean.

 

 

 

The old pads didn't have much left on them.

 

 

 

The guide-pins could then be removed and cleaned and regreased.

 

 

 

Rotors were then cleaned, doing my best to keep as much of the black paint on.

 

 

 

Hubs were the greased and the rotor went on.

 

 

 

Before winding back it got a clean.

 

 

 

Then wound back.

 

 

 

Pads in and caliper on.

 

 

 

Rinse and repeat for the other side.

 

 

[Liberty]

This will be one of the best upgrades you do on your car. 400% difference.

[motoboy76]

Very nice update...

 

Im about to refurb some 4/2 pots to put on the RS....

 

I think i'm going to go T2 rotors as well they look really good....

[CRUISN]

I've done about 20+ brake conversions on Gen3 / 4. Never had to disconnect the upper lateral arm or swaybar to access anything?

Nice work though.

[applegeek897]

I've done about 20+ brake conversions on Gen3 / 4. Never had to disconnect the upper lateral arm or swaybar to access anything?

Nice work though.

 

Fair enough, I'm sure it wasn't necessary, a bunch of my tools were stolen out of my garage the other day so it just made it easier to get some things out the way. Thanks though   

[Liberty]

Damn pics look so much better on a PC as opposed to a phone.

 

I too swapped from RDA to DBA. Such a better disc in my opinion and I can justify spending the extra money for 'em.

[El_Freddo]

Wow, epic pics

Bugger about those bleed nipples up front. Not good! Good thing you found it when you did and not when it came to bleeding at the end of the swap.

With the cleaning of the pistons, did you do the internal area too or just the exposed external area? Only asking as mine (L series offroader so a dad different) had pretty bad crap build up when I pulled the caliper apart for fresh seals. But with that said I was in dirt and mud - and found my dust boots torn (get on to them when you find them torn!).

Keep up the good work!

Cheers

Bennie

[applegeek897]

Wow, epic pics

Bugger about those bleed nipples up front. Not good! Good thing you found it when you did and not when it came to bleeding at the end of the swap.

With the cleaning of the pistons, did you do the internal area too or just the exposed external area? Only asking as mine (L series offroader so a dad different) had pretty bad crap build up when I pulled the caliper apart for fresh seals. But with that said I was in dirt and mud - and found my dust boots torn (get on to them when you find them torn!).

Keep up the good work!

Cheers

Bennie

 

Thanks Bennie, I actually wanted to start everything a bleed to flush any of the old fluid out, but when I got to the front that's what I was confronted with, but oh well. I managed to get a cheap set used from BCW so it wasn't a biggie. As for the pistons I cleaned what bits I could, wasn't really prepared to fully remove them and I don't really have the means to, the boots seemed in good shape much to my surprise.

 

October 2017: I finally got a chance to attack the brake lines today. Starting with the rear.

 

 

 

They came out easier then I thought, out with the old and in with the new. The braided lines were a fair bit longer then the original.

 

 

 

And in they went.

 

 

 

Then the caliper side could come out.

 

 

 

Rinse and repeat for the other side.

 

 

 

 

 

BCW had a set of used bleeders on hand to replace the completely rooted ones on the front brakes.

 

 

 

With the help of some vice grips I was able to get the old ones out.

 

 

 

This was again pretty quick and easy, old STI lines out.

 

 

 

And the new lines in.

 

 

 

Brakes were then bled and I could finally get the car off the stands. They already feel great but they need a chance bed in still, so easy driving for a few hundred k's.

[CRUISN]

Right tools for the job. Looks like some numb nuts used an open ended spanner on those bleed nipple instead of a flare wrench or ring spanner.

Nice work.

[applegeek897]

Right tools for the job. Looks like some numb nuts used an open ended spanner on those bleed nipple instead of a flare wrench or ring spanner.

Nice work.

 

Thanks man, there are two things I don't get. One, how on earth he was able to bleed to the brakes when those STI lines were installed having screwed them, but like... How do you fork something like that, knowing at some point it would need attention again and just leave it broken.

[U-Shell]

I like this car. I like this thread. I like these pictures. I like these write ups!

 

Theres so much wasted time taking photos etc when your doing work on your car, but it's so satisfying at the end once they're all edited and posted. Hopefully get to see this car at HVC next year because I absolutely rate it! 

 

How do you find the brakes? Im about to doing discs and pads all round on my E46 BMW. Looking at T2's but unsure on pad choice. I'll see if I have a photo of the old front pads. Managed to wear down to the backing plate which machined the outer lip off the rotor...

 

Keep up the ripper updates please! Makes for good reading haha 

 

Also, link doesn't work to your MCM Cuore thread If it's anything like this one, I'm keen to read it haha

[applegeek897]

I like this car. I like this thread. I like these pictures. I like these write ups!

 

Theres so much wasted time taking photos etc when your doing work on your car, but it's so satisfying at the end once they're all edited and posted. Hopefully get to see this car at HVC next year because I absolutely rate it! 

 

How do you find the brakes? Im about to doing discs and pads all round on my E46 BMW. Looking at T2's but unsure on pad choice. I'll see if I have a photo of the old front pads. Managed to wear down to the backing plate which machined the outer lip off the rotor...

 

Keep up the ripper updates please! Makes for good reading haha 

 

Also, link doesn't work to your MCM Cuore thread If it's anything like this one, I'm keen to read it haha

 

Thanks man I love doing the pics, I do so much video these days for work my poor 1D doesn't get to do any photos so the car is there for that haha.

 

The brakes are great, but I think there is a touch of air in the system so I need to sort that out, but otherwise amazing. SO much less dust then before which has been a nice change. Far as pads for the E46 not sure on the Euro stuff but I'm sure you'd be spoilt for choice considering how big they are in the US and Europe.

 

Another big post is coming in the next few days with completely the stereo and the mess Subaru made of my airbag replacement.

 

Also links have been updated so you can see the Cuore and my more recent purchase

[applegeek897]

October 2017: So here is finally the basically completed audio setup.

 

First thing after some testing it was to secure the amp to the carpet. I considered making some sort of bracket but good and strong velcro seemed to work for the old one so it would do fine.

 

 

 

With all the bulk of wiring done the front half of the car could go back together. Starting with the glovebox.

 

 

 

Headunit and HVAC.

 

 

 

Shifter and centre console.

 

 

 

Once that was all done I moved into the boot to tackle the subwoofer. The car already had an aftermarket low-profile 8" kicker unit.

 

 

 

While it wasn't anything special it is better then stock and I thought I'll keep it for now. In the past I've had the sub on -3 at-least due to the horrendous rattle. Another thing I wonder how it was able to leave a factory with such a design flaw by Subaru. So that was the first thing to sort out.

 

 

 

Three layers later and it went in.

 

 

 

And after a quick test, it still sounded like utter shit. I had to sub from the daily out so I thought I'd quickly throw it in and give it ago. So much better. So for now that'll stay until a more permanent solution can be made. Likely just a new box and a wiring fix-up.

 

 

 

Moving onto the rear doors. Door cards off.

 

 

 

The old and very tired two way could then come out.

 

 

 

Such a big difference.

 

 

 

MDF mount mocked and made.

 

 

 

Before they went in the door got a clean and healthy dose of DS18.

 

 

 

Then the connectors could be crimped one, factory wires for the rears.

 

 

 

Then they could go in and after a very quick tune, the entire system already sounds epic. Certainly more tuning to do though. They got a very good testing on a big trip to and from Phillip Island for the MotoGP. Car was so nice to drive for it, although alignment is without question out on the rear, something to sort out for sure.

 

It was bug galore up front. Time for a good wash.

 

 

 

Ah much better.

 

 

[Liberty]

Mad updates as per usual man. Keep them coming!

[El_Freddo]

Epic work mate!

 

I've never really got into stez builds as such - ok head unit and four speakers does the trick for me.   A sub would be nice but $$$s and space...

 

Keep up the good work.

 

Cheers

Bennie

[U-Shell]

 

Thanks man I love doing the pics, I do so much video these days for work my poor 1D doesn't get to do any photos so the car is there for that haha.

 

The brakes are great, but I think there is a touch of air in the system so I need to sort that out, but otherwise amazing. SO much less dust then before which has been a nice change. Far as pads for the E46 not sure on the Euro stuff but I'm sure you'd be spoilt for choice considering how big they are in the US and Europe.

 

Another big post is coming in the next few days with completely the stereo and the mess Subaru made of my airbag replacement.

 

Also links have been updated so you can see the Cuore and my more recent purchase

 

Ah nice! I purchased a Panasonic Lumix G7 at the start of the year as an intro to video work. Still yet to actually edit footage but I take it everywhere just in case haha. So much more to learn than photography!

 

Plenty of BMW support from the states and europe, but it's like going to a great restaurant with to much on the menu to choose from lol

 

I saw your airbag fiasco on club.lib facebook page! Honestly cant believe how they returned your car....

 

A couple tips for stereo install, find some cheap pillows or head to Bunnings and grab some polyester type insulation and put some behind that sub in the boot. It's a little hard because its not a sealed compartment like most cars with factory subs in that position, but should help the bass a little. Basically slows the airspeed down behind the driver which makes the compartment seem "bigger" to the sub from what my internet research tells me. Also getting some foam rings around your door woofers to seal them to the door skin like the OEM woofers which should improve the midbass and midrange.

 

Read through the other build threads, seems you have a few projects on the go! Enjoy the street triple, they sound soooo mean with a good exhaust!

[Liberty]

I saw your airbag fiasco on club.lib facebook page! Honestly cant believe how they returned your car....

 

Haha, you're not the only one. I was nervous because I work a couple of hundred metres up from the Suttons Subaru dealership in Chullora and I thought that's where he had the shitty work done. I intend to take my car there to perform the works after waiting months since receiving my letter.

[U-Shell]

 

Haha, you're not the only one. I was nervous because I work a couple of hundred metres up from the Suttons Subaru dealership in Chullora and I thought that's where he had the shitty work done. I intend to take my car there to perform the works after waiting months since receiving my letter.

 

It's a shame how unlucky the Subaru recalls damage is. I had both my drivers and passenger airbags replaced a couple months ago at BMW for my E46 and there isn't a single fault, even washed the car and had the mechanics go over it. With the exception of wanting to charge me $780 for new rear discs and pads, it seems I got away easily. 

 

Take LOTS of photos before you go in would be my advice. At least that way they will have nothing to stand on if they damage your car and refuse to take the blame!

[Liberty]

Any European brand is seen as prestige hence the extra care taken. Bad publicity and damage to reputation would hit them.

 

100%. It's amazing how easy it is to do with phones nowadays; there really isn't an excuse not to.

[applegeek897]

 

Ah nice! I purchased a Panasonic Lumix G7 at the start of the year as an intro to video work. Still yet to actually edit footage but I take it everywhere just in case haha. So much more to learn than photography!

 

Plenty of BMW support from the states and europe, but it's like going to a great restaurant with to much on the menu to choose from lol

 

I saw your airbag fiasco on club.lib facebook page! Honestly cant believe how they returned your car....

 

A couple tips for stereo install, find some cheap pillows or head to Bunnings and grab some polyester type insulation and put some behind that sub in the boot. It's a little hard because its not a sealed compartment like most cars with factory subs in that position, but should help the bass a little. Basically slows the airspeed down behind the driver which makes the compartment seem "bigger" to the sub from what my internet research tells me. Also getting some foam rings around your door woofers to seal them to the door skin like the OEM woofers which should improve the midbass and midrange.

 

Read through the other build threads, seems you have a few projects on the go! Enjoy the street triple, they sound soooo mean with a good exhaust!

 

Thanks for the tip man, still plenty to refine which I'm keen to do. The triple is super special. Funny the think the bike and cuore have the exact same powertrain with power output haha.

 

October 2017: While things have been going fairly well on the Subaru lately it seemed it was time for another shit show. This time thanks to Suttons Subaru Rosebery. Now, while what happened happened, the manager completely sorted it out. More below.

 

So, after months of saying I was going to do it and finally receiving my third letter for the airbag replacement it was finally time to get it done. Suttons Subaru Rosebery is my most local dealer so that's where is was to go. I was surprised as I was able to get in just days after calling as someone apparently cancelled. So in it went, I gave the car to them for two full days, I begged for them to take their time and be careful, 'yes sir of-course'. When it was ready to pick up I jumped in the car and straight away I saw it all. It was trashed. First thing I noticed was the shifter surround was cracked straight through.

 

 

The gear knob wasn't even on straight, legit, this is how I got it back.

 

 

Shifter surround wasn't lined up with HVAC controls.

 

 

Drivers side a pillar was hanging like this.

 

 

But nothing was as bad as the dash. Now by no means was my dash in perfect condition, but damn. They did a number on it.

 

 

 

 

 

Once I saw all this I flew back into the office and called the manager over. He was furious at the whole ordeal and agreed to have everything sorted out. A dash replacement was approved by Subaru Australia as well as all the damaged bits and pieces.

 

I dropped past the dealership again yesterday to have the dash done. I was surprised to have a Levorg waiting for me to have as a loaner. It's a great car, but man. The CVT is horrific. I don't know what they were thinking there.

 

 

 

Anyway, I picked up the car and everything looks good, I requested the cubby and headunit to stay out as I have replacements for both anyway, cubby I got from a wreck and they're paying for a brand new headunit after scratching it too.

 

 

 

So at the end it kinda turned out good at least. Except the car seems to have developed some sort of clunk noise on decel, plus what sounds like something suspension related. Could be so many things. I'll do a service in the next couple of days and see if I can track down that noise. It never ends.