Brake Upgrades

4249 Views 29 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Jim_in_PA, 1 mo ago

pelicant

Discussion Starter · 6 mo ago

I have done quite a bit of searching on brakes, and I can only find complaints similar to the ones that I have regarding the OEM pads and rotors. Buried deep inside of very long threads, I see some blurbs here and there about aftermarket, but not much…

I had squealing brakes from when I bought my 2020 Ascent with 5k miles on it. I was able to get into the shop before 12k miles. At that appointment I got the pads replaced with rev D, and I had the rotors checked. At 30k miles, I very obviously have warped rotors now. The two events this early in my ownership of the vehicle have shaken my confidence in the OEM brake pads and rotors. Has anyone gone with aftermarket brakes and pads? I’m not necessarily looking for track ready performance here unless it’s the best option. I just want something I can feel reasonably confident in.

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todd4198

· #2 · 6 mo ago

Bumping this for the same question. Had the rotors/pads replaced under warranty at 17k miles, at 22k miles now and they are starting to feel warped again already. Doubt I'll make it to 30k before they are badly warped again. I normally try to stick with OEM parts on newer vehicles, but was planning to go aftermarket for the next set.

I saw the R1 Concepts Carbon Geomet rotors and can't tell if it's marketing BS or actually helpful. There is a thread from a year ago with promising results though:

www.ascentforums.com

R1 concept brakes and rotors so far so good after 2k

Surprise, surprise at around 40k my wife’s ’19 Ascent has a nasty pulsation and her pads where worn down to about 3mm. Yes I could have had Subaru turn the rotors and ”lubricate” the pads correctly. But I expected better quality from OEM parts and I doubt they’d warranty worn pads. I ordered...

www.ascentforums.com

www.ascentforums.com

xydadx3

· #3 · 6 mo ago

todd4198 said:
I saw the R1 Concepts Carbon Geomet rotors and can't tell if it's marketing BS or actually helpful. There is a thread from a year ago with promising results though:

I didn’t start that thread but it helped my decision to install a set of r1 concepts rotors and pads on the front axle of my ascent. I chose the e-line rotors and optimum pads. iirc at the time the geomet weren’t available for the ascent. Anyway that was almost a year and a half ago and about 22k miles. I never drove that far on any of my oem pads or rotors without issues. My rear rotors and pads are still oem but have been replaced once due to normal wear.

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todd4198

· #4 · 6 mo ago

xydadx3 said:
I didn’t start that thread but it helped my decision to install a set of r1 concepts rotors and pads on the front axle of my ascent. I chose the e-line rotors and optimum pads. iirc at the time the geomet weren’t available for the ascent. Anyway that was almost a year and a half ago and about 22k miles. I never drove that far on any of my oem pads or rotors without issues. My rear rotors and pads are still oem but have been replaced once due to normal wear.

Awesome, good to know. Have they been any noisier than OEM?

xydadx3

· #5 · 6 mo ago

todd4198 said:
Awesome, good to know. Have they been any noisier than OEM?

That's hard to say. I haven't had oem brakes for the last year and a half. Prior to replacement, the oem brakes were very very noisy and had been for quite some time. I recall the new ones being incredibly smooth at first. I'm sure they've lost a bit of that smoothness over time however I just don't really notice them so I'd say they're still pretty quiet.

SimonUA

· #6 · 6 mo ago

We have had our 2020 Ascent at the dealership five, perhaps six times now for brake-related issues. I don't have my records nearby, but we have had at least one, perhaps two full rotor and pad replacements so far. Goes well for a while, then they squeal and, under more brake pressure, grind. We are nearing 23k miles and are once again in this same situation. Last time I got Subaru of America involved, they covered a month's worth of a car payment without any solicitation for such by me. It's been a mess, and I imagine I'm yet again going to get them replaced under warranty. What are the latest OEM pad and rotor revisions Subaru is installing nowadays?

SimonUA

· #7 · 4 mo ago

Our saga continues. Just had it in for 24k mile service and noted the brake issues. The service manager drove it, and confirmed brake judder. After checking with the Subaru field engineer, front pad and rotors as well as rear pads were replaced. Rear rotors were resurfaced.

Parts used:

26296XC00D - Pad Kit Front
26300XC00A - Rotors Front
26696XC00A - Pad Kit Rear

We have six months left on our 36 months warranty. I hope this was the end of this issue.

Reactions: 1

Firebug85

· #8 · 3 mo ago

I would be curious to see where this goes for you. i have had the same issue. I took our car in a couple of times with once the service department finding really small scratches in the rotor. They said this was possible cause by a small rock getting caught between the pads and rotors. They couldn't find anything else. Our issue was really noticeable when you were coming down a grade and slowing down. It got to a point where I started recording our decent on a grade while holding the phone close to the floorboard. They took another look and noticed the rotors had heat spots. They didn't know what was causing this. They replaced all the pads and rotors to the latest revisions they had. this was back in May of last year. Everything worked great for a few months except for a minor squeal I didn't have before. Took it back in for the squeal and the lubed the pads again. Didn't fix the squeal. It was minor so didn't bother taking it back again. About 6-7 months after the complete break job the vibrations came back. They took another look and again saw the heat spot. They resurfaced the rotors and said if this doesn't help there basically nothing they can do as they have done everything they can think of and the problem persist. They did asked if i go down hills a lot or live on a street with a grade where I'm constantly braking. I live in the Northwest and virtually every town/city has hills. I'm about a week into the rotor resurfacing and coming down from the ski resort I noticed the issues come back. I will likely be taking this up with SOA. We love our car and plan on keeping for a long time so we do need a resolution to this.

@SimonUA note the brake job carries a warranty of 1yr. Even if your car warranty lapses within the next 6 months you will still have another 6 just for the work they did. This happened to us. We had the break work done shortly before our car warranty expired. My service writer said they would do any work free of charge since it hasn't been a year since they replaced anything.

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SimonUA

· #9 · 3 mo ago

Hi @Firebug85, your post sounds like you've been driving my car. That's how alike our experiences appear. And that's also not unlike what I've heard from the Service department, which wasn't entirely coy about brake issues with the 2020.

I don't recall what mileage we have on it now since we got the brakes addressed, but we have been very kind on pads and rotors so far. So far so good, but that's been the case early on every time. We have also not had any dramatic, emergent braking situation. Nevertheless, like you, we drive up and down hills between MD and WV. In my experience with this, I find it bizarre for a car company that markets itself on building outdoor vehicles and for the outdoor community to not seemingly produce braking hardware that is meant to be driven in such conditions. Not speaking in generalities here - just my impression. We do like the car quite a bit aside from these issues.

I envy your snow. Our skiing season in the Mid-Atlantic was rough.

Thank you very much about the note of the 1yr warranty! I will definitely look into this, if needed. Beyond that, I'm looking at solid aftermarket components as I expect and hope to have better luck there.

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bluzed91

· #10 · 3 mo ago

I believe Subaru uses marshmallows for brake pads and when they get toasty they leave nice deposits on the rotors. I had my car in twice to address the situation once to resurface at 8700 miles and once to replace at 27000 miles. I have the latest greatest OEM pads as well. Really is frustrating considering that after warranty is up this is going to be on the owners expense, that’s why I am going aftermarket when these act up.

rlb81

· #11 · 3 mo ago

Firebug85 said:
I'm about a week into the rotor resurfacing and coming down from the ski resort I noticed the issues come back. I will likely be taking this up with SOA. We love our car and plan on keeping for a long time so we do need a resolution to this.

I just went through this last week and SOA was of no help. This was my 4th visit for the same grumbly noise (I guess this is what "judder" is?) when braking. Across the 3 prior visits I had front and rear rotors resurfaced then replaced. Historically it operates fine for a while after this, then the problem comes back. Car just hit 14k miles by the way.

On this visit I wanted SOA to replace all 4 pads and rotors to start new, but the dealer insisted that only the fronts were a problem so SOA wouldn't do anything more than cover the fronts under warranty. I'm certain the issue will come back, haven't decided what do to at that point....

Firebug85

· #12 · 3 mo ago

rlb81 said:
I just went through this last week and SOA was of no help. This was my 4th visit for the same grumbly noise (I guess this is what "judder" is?) when braking. Across the 3 prior visits I had front and rear rotors resurfaced then replaced. Historically it operates fine for a while after this, then the problem comes back. Car just hit 14k miles by the way.

On this visit I wanted SOA to replace all 4 pads and rotors to start new, but the dealer insisted that only the fronts were a problem so SOA wouldn't do anything more than cover the fronts under warranty. I'm certain the issue will come back, haven't decided what do to at that point....

We've never had an issue with the rear brakes. Ours has always been the front. The only other thing to do is contact SOA directly about the issue and give them a chance to work with you and make things right. If you don't feel they are taking care of matters, you can always see if it qualifies for the Lemon Law in your state if the law does exist there. I love our car and the Subaru brand but hate the feel of the judder. I have always been taught, if you feel or hear anything while braking its not normal and shouldn't happen. A squeal I can live with but judder doesn't make me comfortable especially if i plan on driving a camper trailer which is why we traded in our awesome 17' legacy for the Ascent. No one manufacture is perfect and I know there are many many Ascents on the road without any issues. In a heart beat I would trade this Ascent in for another.

BTW ours is a 21' Limited with just over 40k miles. Our issue started a while ago and maybe around the 10k mile mark if i remember correctly.

Please keep me posted on this as we may need to tag team this issue.

As a last resort I may just go aftermarket but I hate to do so when an issue with the car exist. That would allow SOA to wash their hands of the issue. I rather it get fix for good then transition to after market when the fully and properly functional pads and rotors wear out.

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rlb81

· #13 · 3 mo ago

Firebug85 said:
The only other thing to do is contact SOA directly about the issue and give them a chance to work with you and make things right. If you don't feel they are taking care of matters, you can always see if it qualifies for the Lemon Law in your state if the law does exist there.

I'm still within the lemon law window in NJ, but not quite ready to go there yet. I did contact SOA directly and was told they couldn't do anything beyond the warranty repair at this time. I'll re-open the case if/when the issue returns.

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Robson13

· #14 · 3 mo ago

I have the same issue with brakes on my 2019 Touring. The car have almost 34K miles. Brakes were serviced numerous time under warranty. I'm very disappointed with this. Next visit to dealer I'll ask to replace all pads and rotors. I guess it will cost me around 1K.

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Firebug85

· #15 · 3 mo ago

Back brake system isn’t the issue for me and likely isn’t for you either. I was able to decipher this when they first time they replaced the front brakes and rotors only. The issue went away for a few thousand miles. I got my rotors resurfaced a couple weeks ago since the problem came back. At the dealer again this morning for an all wheel alignment ( New wheels and tires) and spoke to the service adviser. Told him the rotor resurfacing didn’t do anything to resolve it. They don’t know what to do at this point. Will likely make a call to SOA and ask for assistance. They have generally been fair with other issue.

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Cosmo

· #16 · 3 mo ago

Robson13 said:
I have the same issue with brakes on my 2019 Touring. The car have almost 34K miles. Brakes were serviced numerous time under warranty. I'm very disappointed with this. Next visit to dealer I'll ask to replace all pads and rotors. I guess it will cost me around 1K.

Look at going after market. I haven't noted anyone being unhappy by doing so.

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Robson13

· #17 · 3 mo ago

Cosmo said:
Look at going after market. I haven't noted anyone being unhappy by doing so.

I'm thinking about it. Would need to find a shop to take it to for that work. Anyone have recommendation for brake shop in NY/NJ area?

Cosmo

· #18 · 3 mo ago

Robson13 said:
I'm thinking about it. Would need to find a shop to take it to for that work. Anyone have recommendation for brake shop in NY/NJ area?

I don't think that you will have any trouble finding a shop. Your favorite Subaru dealer would probably do the work without a parts warranty, but I'd think that would be covered by the manufacturer anyhow. I'd suggest researching and or buying the parts you want. There are several threads that refer to the subject.

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AirplaneTim

· #19 · 2 mo ago

Glad I found you guys. My 2022 Ascent Limited that I bought last Summer still has less than 9k miles on it. On a ski trip over to WV last month, I noticed that the stupid cruise control programming doesn't utilize any level of engine braking on an incline and just drags the brakes until they overheat and start to warp. Before I figured out what was going on, about halfway through the mountains I made a comment to my wife that the car was making a noise that sounded like j-brakes on a semi. By the time we got to the resort the noise had turned to a noticeable shudder that I could feel. So on the return trip, for any long grade decline I had to turn off the cruise control and manually manage shifting to hold speed rather than letting the computer burn up the brakes.
I previously had a Mazda that was smart enough to heavily utilize engine braking both for cruise control and normal operation to augment heavy braking even without the cruise control. For Subaru to not even make an effort to do something similar for a vehicle that is intended to be climbing mountains is just crazy to me. Now I understand the requirement for any trailer over 1,000lbs to have it's own brakes, the brakes and transmission programming on the Ascent are just terrible. I don't have time to mess around with dealerships doing multiple brake system checks and warranty replacements, and even more critically am not willing to risk the safety concern of brakes failing on me in the mountains in the middle of a long trip somewhere that I can't get assistance. Definitely going to be looking at an aftermarket upgrade for my car.

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denissh

· #20 · 2 mo ago

AirplaneTim said:
Glad I found you guys. My 2022 Ascent Limited that I bought last Summer still has less than 9k miles on it. On a ski trip over to WV last month, I noticed that the stupid cruise control programming doesn't utilize any level of engine braking on an incline and just drags the brakes until they overheat and start to warp. Before I figured out what was going on, about halfway through the mountains I made a comment to my wife that the car was making a noise that sounded like j-brakes on a semi. By the time we got to the resort the noise had turned to a noticeable shudder that I could feel. So on the return trip, for any long grade decline I had to turn off the cruise control and manually manage shifting to hold speed rather than letting the computer burn up the brakes.
I previously had a Mazda that was smart enough to heavily utilize engine braking both for cruise control and normal operation to augment heavy braking even without the cruise control. For Subaru to not even make an effort to do something similar for a vehicle that is intended to be climbing mountains is just crazy to me. Now I understand the requirement for any trailer over 1,000lbs to have it's own brakes, the brakes and transmission programming on the Ascent are just terrible. I don't have time to mess around with dealerships doing multiple brake system checks and warranty replacements, and even more critically am not willing to risk the safety concern of brakes failing on me in the mountains in the middle of a long trip somewhere that I can't get assistance. Definitely going to be looking at an aftermarket upgrade for my car.

totally opposite of my experience , cruise control engine braking all the time...
and going downhill it "shifting down" raising RPM to 3500+

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