Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
1998 Subaru Forester BaseFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Sequence Control
- Remove front caliper bleeder screws. Connect brake pressure gauges to calipers and bleed system. Connect diagnostic terminals to diagnosis connector terminal No. 3 and No. 6. Set front or rear wheels on brake tester with vehicle in Neutral. Operate brake tester according to manufacturer's instructions. Set wheel speed at 2 MPH (4 km/h) or less. Turn ignition on. ABS warning light should illuminate for 1.5 seconds. Within .5 second after ABS warning light goes out, depress brake pedal. Hydraulic unit should now begin to operate. See Fig 1 .
- Observe pressure gauges and note readings. Hydraulic unit should perform left front decompression, holding and then compression. Hydraulic unit should perform right front decompression, holding and then compression. Turn ignition off. Remove pressure gauges. Perform steps 1) and 2) for rear brake calipers. If pressure readings are not as specified, replace hydraulic unit. See HYDRAULIC UNIT PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS table.
HYDRAULIC UNIT PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS
| Application | psi (kg/cm2 ) |
|---|---|
| Initial Value | 498 (35) |
| Decompression | 71 (5) Or Less |
| Compression | 498 (35) Or More |
Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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