Performance Brakes Components for Subaru Impreza GD

Performance brake components are the smaller parts that complete a competition or fast-road brake system. Here that means titanium backing plate kits for pads, a race balance bar and a remote cable adjuster, a screw-on fluid reservoir, drive pins and mechanic’s gloves.

The balance bar sits in a pedal box with two master cylinders, one for each axle. The pedal pushes through a spherical bearing on a threaded bar, and moving the bearing towards one cylinder gives that cylinder a larger share of the force. This sets front-to-rear bias mechanically, and the remote cable adjuster lets the driver turn the bar from the seat as grip, fuel load or weather change.

Titanium backing plates sit between pad and pistons. Titanium conducts heat far less readily than steel, so less of the pad’s heat soaks into the pistons, seals and fluid. That helps keep the fluid below its boiling point through long, hard runs.

What the listings specify:

• Titanium backing plate kits: each kit is a complete set for two calipers. It is made for a particular pad shape, so match it to the pads on the car.
• Balance bar: a race bar with a spherical bearing and a 7/16 UNF threaded adjuster bar, for pedal boxes with two master cylinders.
• Remote adjuster: a cable that runs from the bar to a control within the driver’s reach.
• Reservoir: a long reservoir with a 7/16-20 UNF thread, 142 mm tall overall, 63 mm across the body and 74.5 mm across the cap.
• Drive pins: sport drive pin kits are listed for 8 × 6 mm or 8 × 8 mm flanges. Sprint car drive pins are listed for the front or rear. Where a thread and socket are given, they are 1/2-20 and a 3/16 in hex.
• Gloves: universal mechanic’s gloves to protect your hands during brake work.

Set the pushrods so the balance bar sits square to them under firm pedal pressure, and so both master cylinder pistons return fully when the pedal is released. Start testing with the bias near the middle and adjust in small steps. Whether it screws onto the master cylinder or is mounted remotely, the reservoir must sit above the cylinder so fluid feeds by gravity.

The titanium plates add thickness behind the pad, so check that new pads still fit with the pistons pushed fully back. Inspect drive pins for wear and play whenever the parts they locate come apart, and renew them as a set.