Use it. They are gonna discolor anyway AND you can't see both at the same time.

 

It is EXCEEDINGLY rare that a Subaru caliper gets 'sticky' piston. I have seen MANY occurrences of the sliding-pins getting sticky....and some instances of the brake-pads themselves getting rusted into the holders so they stick.

Judging from your photos, you purchased a LOT more than just calipers... you have complete units there. (including the sliding-pins)

I guess what I am saying is that, if at all possible DO NOT open up the hydraulic system. Opening up the hydraulic system brings with it all kinds of additional work such as bleeding at all four wheels.

Instead, you may be just dealing with some sticky sliding pins. In that case, just replace the caliper 'holders' (which includes the sliding-pins) and reuse your old calipers.

Personally, I just free-up my existing sliding-pins and grease them well. They will continue to work for many years. This also saves me from removing the rotors. (and the only cost is my labor to remove and fix the sliding-pins )

 

Where have you heard this opening the hydraulic system opens up a lot of work? Anytime you do a brake job you should change the fluid. Most DOT 3/4 fluid only last for about 2-4 years. As it absorbs moisture from the air. It's just lazy and poor work ethic to not change the fluid and to just compress a piston without opening a bleeder. Generally that's where I see frozen or sticking calipers is from lazy people who dont change brake fluid. It's so easy to change. Even the $10 one man bleeders on Amazon work well enough. Spend another $40 and you can get a power bleeder.

 

Wow.. those are both really nice calipers. If you're okay with either of them, and you're neurotic (like me) order two more and late fate decide. I didn't know anyone was making an aftermarket caliper--it's odd not seeing it stamped tokico or subaru.

 

Wanted to touch-base about the Raybestos vs. Cardone aspect...

Cardone does not "finish" their calipers. The darkened metal is the raw gray iron and/or result of the acid bath they give them during the clean phase of the reman process. AT BEST, they get a light coat of gun oil for surface rust prevention during shipping/storage. 1 week on a car and the rust starts.

The Raybestos is actually zinc plated (bracket too) and will maintain that finish 100x better/longer than the Cardone will.

Plus, the new Raybestos is likely to not have heli-coil or oversized bleeders, rough-honed bores or reman'd pistons. There's a reason the Raybestos ones cost more than the Cardone.

 

I just had to change out a set of rear caliper brackets because the pins were completely seized. Could even get them to budge with heat, vice grips, and a sledge.

Ended up having to replace both calipers with brackets because no one sold (or had in stock) just the brackets themselves.

I wouldn't worry about the color of the caliper. They're brakes on a Subaru. If they stop the car everything is good.

 

Ugh… I just realized that when I exchanged the caliper that they charged me full price. They made me return the first one and buy the new one, so it was a return/buy and not really just an exchange. I originally bought them online to get the 20% discount.

After all this mess, I think I'm just going to return both of them and buy two Raybestos from RockAuto. Yeah, I'm a ****ing goof. Brain is scrambled from coming off a 12 hour night shift.

 

Just got the Raybestos calipers and these are even nicer than the one I got by mistake from Autozone. Glad I went through the hassle of returning the Cardone's. $162 for both and I don't have to deal with core returns. I've had a couple issues with RockAuto in the past, but damn to they ship fast. Ordered them Saturday night.

If someone needs my stock brackets or even the whole caliper assemblies (passenger side is till good), just ask.

 

I love that finish

 

My OCD normally has my driving around an extra hour or two every time I work on my car and it ends up bring the wrong decision, so I completely understand. I worked at autozone many moons ago which makes it worse because of the additional information.

Those calipers look good and it will be good to see how the finish holds up.

 

Those calipers look good and it will be good to see how the finish holds up.

I'm installing them tomorrow and I'll try my best not to ding up the zinc coating. I tend to be a bit fumbly. I'll just really be glad to get rid of those damn vibrations when braking. Been dealing with it for nearly a year and a half. Probably could have went another year and a half at least with the same rotors and pads if the one rotor didn't warp and develop some grooves near the upper piston.