Crabman

Jon, You are so lucky to have a brat that someone took care of! I think because they were such an inexpensive car, most of them were abused and neglected. Anyways, that's hilarious about the sticker! Crabman

Lumpycam, The amount of progress you've made after just two days is superhuman. Looks like you be done in a week and a half? I have to ask, where was the rust that made you quit on the 85? Keep up the good work, Crabman

I'm speechless.

Wow nice Gen 1 score! Have fun with your new project.

Hey I'm the guy that bought those nice blue door panels that Moosens was talking about. Jon, do you still need a picture? I haven't opened the box yet but it is pretty easy to get to. As for the antenna, I need one as well, but I think that you can find aftermarket replacements. You may even be able to use one from another car at the wrecking yard. Seahag, that's a very kind offer. If you are going to make some reproduction stuff, please sign me up for a set. Let me know, Crabman

I think Moosens is going to help me out, but in the mean time if anybody has the part numbers for the little clips and the springs that go on the front discs, I would really appreciate it. Thanks, Crabman

Hey Moosens I have just PMed you with my shipping address. If one kit is for both fronts I'll just need one kit. Bit if it is a kit for each side, I'll need two kits. You get my drift. Thanks in advance!! Crabman

Hey Fellas, When we did the breaks in my '79 brat, some of the hardware for the fronts was worn out. I did a little searching for a disc brake hardware kit today and didn't turn anything up. Do you any of you guys know where to find a hardware kit for the front discs? Thanks, Crabman

Yes cheers to that! It's a very hard thing to explain to people that only know new cars. I actually don't even bother to try. But driving is so much more of an activity, on a much more concious level. That's a good list too Todd, I'll have to get a kit together. Jon, I think I'd be partial to silver, but that's just me. White gets dirty too quick. Cheers, Crabman

Well done Jon Now you know you can leave your Titan parked and rely on your Brat for your daily driver . I'm sure you will save a few dollars when it comes to gas. When I first bought my mine, I was hesitant about getting too far away from home, but this has gone away. She is my daily driver now with my motorcycle being my only back-up. And I drive 80 miles a day in Los Angeles traffic. Since I've had her, I have kept my eyes open for other Gen 1s. And I haven't seen one. I'm not quite at the point yet where I am ready to plan that cross country trip or that Mojave Road Expedition, but I am getting closer with each turn of the wrench . I'd love to get mine as clean looking as yours one day! Cheers, Crabman

Jimbob: We need more pics of your beautiful brat! Lets see some under the hood. What the fastest you've got her up to?

Rust? Where? Looks like a really decent Brat from the pics your showing. I'd think twice about parting it out.

What a beauty! Is she really that perfect. Lets see some pics of the interior, how's the dash? Nice score. I'm jealous.

Just wanted to update this thread to let you all know that this little job is complete! And what a major PITA! My dad and I were working on this for a good part of the weekend. But I got new brakes all around, replaced nearly the whole system, and new front axles too. The NOS equipment looks great on it. She doesn't pull to one side or the other anymore, no more clickity-clack from the joints when I'm turning. The brake pedal is nice and stiff. We fixed alot of little things here and there that we found along the way too, bad wheel bearings, grease seals, etc, etc, etc. Damn it feels good to really make a big dent on that little blue to do list in my garage. She's much safer to drive now. She has more stop than go! Next job seems small in comparison. Have to fix that shifter rattle. Got the bushings from my local subaru dealer no problem. Thanks for the help everyone. Cheers, Crabman

Thanks for the tip Caboobaroo. I will have my can of PBblaster ready. I will probably give everything a shot of PBblaster before I get started. I have already had some bad experiences breaking bolts here and there. S'ko, Not sure yet on when we're getting started. Sending you an email.

Hey fellas. My '79 brat has been out of commission for the week. She wasn't stopping so well, and just began to feel dangerous to drive. She's up on jackstands now with all the wheels and drums off and hoo-boy that was just an accident waiting th happen. Could have been another Gen 1 gone forever :-\ . Anyway, I'll be replacing most of the brake system this weekend. I've got new drums, cylinders, and shoes for the rear, and new discs, calipers, and pads for the front. Not to mention a new master cylinder and replacements for almost every brake hose. While I'm at it, I figure it will be an ideal time to throw in these two new front axles I've got too. Just thought I'd post my plans to see if anyone had any tips or advice on this sort of job. I do have one question right off the get go. In my 'idiots guide' it says that you may need to go to a shop to have the front axle pressed out of the wheel bearing housing, and the new one pressed in? Is this true? Or can I handle it myself in the garage? You fellas has a lot of great suggestions when S'ko and I did the clutch. I figure its always a good idea to tap into the USMB knowledge pool. Thanks in advance, Crabman

Oops, I missed the part about keeping just one thread in the old gen forum. Sorry. I wanted the youtube link here in historic because this is where I spend all my time.

Ah yes, I saw this last night on NBC, immediately hit the record button, and then watched it a few more times. I rarely ever feel that commercials speak directly to me. But this one, with the Gen 1 brat in the background, and that phrase, "Letting you Subaru live on, on part at a time". It was just awesome. What car company in the world has ever produced a commercial, where one of the main messages was, 'If you are going to junk your old subaru, please part it out to other subaru people, so that other old subarus can live on". It was like they made it just for members of this board. I BELIEVE IN SUBARU HEAVEN!!!

My shifter stick, for 1st through 4th, is very very sloppy. I believe the expression is 'bowl of oatmeal'. But my chattering stick, is the 4WD stick. How hard is it to replace the shifter bushing?

Might be interested, but not soon. I am way over my Subaru budget this month. Sending an email your way.

What involved in the fix? Tell me it's easy.

I've been meaning to ask this one for a while. In my '79 brat, which comes equipped with the single range 4WD transmission, the 4WD stick chatters non-stop when I'm driving in Front Wheel drive. This hasn't gotten any worse over time, and it doesn't seem to have any negative implications, other than the fact it is just annoying. The noise will go away if I push forward on the stick. I suppose I could use a short bunjy cord to hold the stick in the non-noisy position, but I'm trying to make my car less ghetto and more awesome. Has anyone else encountered this problem? More importantly, anyone have any good fixes??? Thanks in advance, Crabman

Thanks Zefy. I got under the car last night, and you are right there are 2 'soft' hoses for each side in the front, an upper and a lower. At about $20 a pop, that's $80 if you want to replace the lines. Anyway, I think I am going to leave 'em, because they did not appear to be leaking. I need to get this brake work done soon however. My Brat is not stopping so good right now. You have to 'plan ahead'. Crabman

Hey quick question fellas. I'm getting ready to replace the entire front brakes on my '79 brat. Got everything I need except the brake hose. So I was looking on-line for it today. At partsamerica.com. They have one part number for "Front, Upper", and another part number for "Front, Lower". What do I need? One of each of these? Thanks in advance, Crabman

Wow, beautiful Brat. If I didn't have one, I would jump on this.