bratgrl

It's really amusing when people give you those looks of disbelief when you go cruising past them in a blizzard with no problems isn't it? I just smile and wave:headbang: And speaking of astonished looks from people..the 19 year old kid my boyfriend works with had never even heard of, let alone seen a BRAT before. He said it looked like a "baby El Camino". Ahhh, aint that cute???

Very nice score! I just LOVE the purple and black seat cover

I'll check on this also. (As soon as I'm out of hibernation ) It's getting more cold and snowy every minute. Not EVEN close to what you guys in Denver had "shudder", so I guess I'm just being a wimp.

Hey Todd, how's it goin'? The brake pads were put on new about 5-6 months ago. I've only driven about 4000 miles since then. Mostly freeway, not a lot of stop and go. Could they be that worn already?? I'm not saying they aren't, just asking what you think. I just find it very strange that everything was working just fine when I parked the car for about 10 days, and then when I try to use it, it goes Kaput... And no-one else had access to it or drove it while I was gone. Twilight zone kinda stuff..... Bobby

Hi everyone, I'm back and baffled again. This is what's going on; My "Marhsmallow" (1980 Brat) has been running like a champ since I got her all put back together. Daily driver, no problems. Then things get weird.... On December 20th, driving in the slush and crud and aftermath of a snow storn, I get home from work, (everything working normally, nothing strange going on with the Brat), park the Brat in the garage, and get ready to leave for California the next day. We're gone for a week. Get back home the 28th, have the rest of the week and New Years Day off before I have to be back to work. Anyway, come Tuesday the 2nd, get in the Brat, head out for work, and "CRIKEY'S":eek: .. she's making this god awful clunking and banging noise that sounds like the front end is going to fall out of it. So, I turn around, head for home, put her back in the nice warm garage, and drive the Dodge instead. I thought maybe the lovely salt and crap they put on the roads had caused the brakes or wheels or whatever to glob up and stick. Figure I'd look at it when I got some time. Haven't had much time to do anything with it until today. So, when I get home today, I wheel her out of the garage, and tool on down the road to see WTH is up. It clicks and clacks like something is loose and bouncing off of the wheel as it's turning, (although I can't see anything loose, and the cv boots are not torn or split or anything). It does it when I turn right, but when I turn left, it doesn't clunk, it kind of groans and moans like she's being tortured. WHAT THE HELL???? I did some searches on here and found a a few things to check, like loose brake pads and calipers and such, so I will do that. But, I thought I might fish for anymore helpful hints and tidbits of wisdom that may lead me in a more definite direction as to what may be causing the malady. HELP, I need lot's of it. Thanks is advance. Bobby

Uhmm, maybe quadrazontal?????

Looks like fun. Did you save us any cotton candy????

Everything I read about doing brakes on my Brat, said to NOT pound or push on that piston because it could damage the threads on the screw in thingy part. (thingy=very technical term I'm sure;) ) I bought a tool at NAPA for 10 bucks and it was pretty easy to turn that piston back in with it. It is simply called a 'brake caliper piston tool". I'm not sure how you could check yours to make sure they aren't doinked, but you probly should. I'm no expert by any means, but I'm sure the guys that are would agree...

Sounds like a blast! Ahhh, the Vista Cruiser. My dad had a '56 Mercury wagon, and my older brother would drive us to the movies, and we'd sit on the roof. I'd love to be there but it's a little far for me to go or I'd be there will bells on. My heart will be there with you all though.. You should call and let me know what movie you're watching....pm'd you my number. Have a beer or three for me:drunk:

Soak those flap nuts 'n bolts in PB Blaster,etc. Just DON'T rush through it and kill 'em. Can I buy this at an auto parts store? I'm assuming it's the same thing as the old "Knock er Loose" that we use to use right?? I had forgotten all about Billy Jack..:cool: He's my hero hmmm... was that you in the car in front of us? We were in the blue Packard. Now that's a car for the drive-in Coulda been, maybe, I'm not admittin' to anything. Dawn of the Dead ! BRAINS !!!!!! [Offtopic]I've NEVER been to a drive-in movie theatre before [/Offtopic Tell ya what...you fly on over and we'll go to a drive-in. You'll have to bring your own make-out partner 'cause you're waaaaaay too young for me. We'll sit in the back of the Brat, and I'll even provide the Brownies and Beer thanks to everyone for the kind words.....Bobby

Now THAT my friend, is an excellent idea. Brownies and Beer!! I haven't been to a drive-in movie for so many years I can't even remember when it was. I do remember "making out" with some cute guy though. I think the movie we were supposed to be watching was "Carrie". DANG!! I'm OLD:eek: Thanks a bunch for reminding me......(J/K) Bobby

Thanks, I worked really hard to get it done. Got a little (and I mean VERY little) help from Tony (the b/f). Still got a few little things to do on the interior.....but other than that, I think I'm just about done.. I have all the flaps (front and rear). The guy I got the BRAT from just sorta tore them off the car (metal and all). So, I need to figure out a way to get the torn metal off of the brackets where the bolts are, 'cause they are rusted together, and then figure out how to bolt them back on when there is nothing there (on the car) to bolt them to. I didn't get too serious about replacing missing metal and stuff when I did the work. I'll probly be sorry for that later....

Just want to say a BIG thanks to anyone/everyone who answered all my silly questions, and helped with parts and what not. Decals from Mick are on the way, will post one last picture when I get them on.

Someone once told me the gas needs a place to expand & contract, but I dididn't buy it then, I can't think of a reason to buy it now. The guy who told me was the guy who worked at the gas station, and he had a funny haircut. My owner's manual says not to "top off" the gas tank for the same reason. I think the guy who wrote the manual had a funny haircut too.

Great Car! It's a looker... Love the stripes. Now I'm jealous:slobber:

Master cylinder full, no leaks. I'll try bleeding them again after I do the back brakes this weekend. Thanks

Speaking of weird things. I've driven the BRAT to work for 2 days now, and today on the way home, it wacked out on me. The freeway was full of stupid people all in an all fired hurry to get AHEAD OF JUST ONE MORE FRIGGIN' CAR:mad: , and some asshat dove in the space between me and the car in front of me, so I had to mash the brakes, and silly thing pulled to the left really hard, and the brake pedal went almost to the floor. I tell ya, it scared the begeezuz out of me. So, I said to myself, hmmm, better get out of this messy traffic and hit the back roads for home in case the brakes fail completely. So I bailed off the freeway, and after that, no more problems. So, what's up with that? Anyone else had that happen to them? Did I not do something I should have on the brake job, or did I do something wrong?

Yup, I tell you what ! Got the tool, whipped the boyfriend into submission:brow: (needed his 6'5", 280 lbs. worth of brute strenth), and got the darn brake pads changed. Silly that a little 10 buck tool can make or "brake" a job. OOOh, she's feeling witty tonight boys, lookin' out..... Anyway, 'preciate all the help, sure I 'll be back for more when I start on the back shoes.... Bobby

I found one at NAPA ($9.99), they have them at Checker ($11.49), Auto Zone, and of course, Summit Racing that Moosens posted the link for. So now, the trick is to get the boyfriend back out there to use the silly tool. Wish me luck...:-p

Yup, clockwise was the way he was turning it. But...........I don't think he was pushing down on it. The damn Chilton and/or Haynes manuals didn't say anything about pusing down on it.... So....I think I will just leave her sit for tonight, and start again tomorrow after work. So, is there anything special I need to do once I get it back on the rotor? Thanks for all the help so far guys....If i need more, I'll yell...LOUD

We did take the cap off the master cylinder, but it didn't seem to help much. I'll try the needle nose plier thing too. Anything is worth a try at this point.

Thanks Todd, Does it seem to turn forever before it gets flush?? The reason I ask is because he (my bf) turned it for quite a while before he got pissed and gave up...Just wondering how much longer it might take.

What a nightmare! What is up with this thing you have to turn FOREVER to get it back on the rotor over the new pads. And where do you find the silly tool, or what else can I use instead? My boyfriend has thrown his hands in the air and walked away muttering about fargin bastig Jap piece of s*^t. So, any help will be greatly appreciated. Bobby

Dang! So glad you're okay. Sorry about the Brat though. I say it's not "completely dead, just mostly dead". You can be a Miracle Max and bring it back to life.

Okay, so I'm driving down I-80 just east of Battle Mountain Nevada, about mile marker 395 (see below), and I spy out of the corner of my little eye, a sad and lonely yellow Brat in someone's front yard. Just sitting there, looking so forlorn and un-loved. My bf wouldn't stop and let me look at it though:mad: 'Cause we would have had to turn around, get on the frontage road, yada yada.....anyway, my point is.....It looked like a Gen 2 (as far as I could tell, but I could be wrong), in pretty good shape. Someone from NV that is close to it might want to check it out. I'll also be posting the final pics of the "Marshmallow" restoration soon. Just gotta get the wagon wheels on her and a few odds and ends. Cheers everyone! Sorry I think the mile marker number is wrong. After I though about it, the number is 235. Anyway, if anyone goes there, it's right on the south side frontage road, easy to see.