Drew Whiteman

east valley auto rebuild, kent andrew seattle

General, If you dont mind, I wonder if you would share a bit more wisdom: I'm gonna bring her back to mechanic Tuesday. If your suspicions are correct, can you give me some idea of what can I expect needs replacement? Cone washer? Another axle? Worse? Hard to say/depends? Thanks for more of your thoughts on the matter, Drew

Thoughtful offer. Thank you. (I hope it stands for a couple of weeks before I can get to you.) Where in Portland do I find you? Best days or times for you? Drew

Thanks General. So you suggest I get the axles from dealer? Drew

Thanks Shawn, I've got the blue MWE axles in the brat now... and one of these is seemingly giving up the ghost. Good to know at least (and a few bonus confidence points gained) that my mechanic knew to go to your source in Colorado. And yes, I was real clear in asking that the bearings get triple checked after all the bad axles came and went, but it won't hurt to ask to have a look again. Drew

Mechanic (well regarded but really screwing up in my case) is having really bad luck with axle replacements in my stock 86 BRAT. They are all falling apart, clicking, etc really really quickly. Mechanic is trying, sucking up parts and labor costs to replace each time (5 times over in as many months), but clearly has bad supplier or is missing something. Please suggest the best sources for axles for my 86 BRAT, and provide any additional advice if you have any. Thanks. Very frustrated, Drew Seattle

Thanks General. Very helpful and thoughtful. Andrew

General Thanks for the additional info, images, and offers. All very helpful and really appreciated. Andrew

This may be a stupid question to ask online, but if its needed (I'm still trying to correct low MPG) will anyone gut and stitch back up a cat? Feel free to take your answers to my email: andrewt@iname.com

Please share the names of the BEST Subaru mechanics/shops in Seattle and Portland areas: Great diagnosis, quality work and parts, fair prices. I want help keeping a stock '86 BRAT well. If you want to keep your opinions off USMB, please send info to andrewt@iname.com. Thanks very much, Andrew

What gas milage should I reasonably expect from an '86 BRAT? After driving '80-'84 wagons for years (with 25-30 mpg), I expected similar milage out of my "new" BRAT (but she only gets 20+ mpg). She otherwise runs smooth and strong... Are there ways to think about improving, problems to look for? Or is this what I should expect? Thanks, Drew