CMJAnew

Figure its time to take this thread out of the 'intro' pages! Here are a few photos of my "...clean and solid undercarriage..." Quoted from eBay ad The more I look at this, the more frustrated I get with myself and eBay-er ( mikesbikes35 ) WARNING: Offensive photos included. You may want to avert your eyes. Unless you find rust and rot acceptable I have as much computer literacy as I have mechanical aptitude. So I'll let photo bucket handle the pics. <iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s230.photobuc...ideshow/78 Brat"></iframe>

Thanks. That top bolt was wedged with the cable. I had to take it completely out as the caliper wouldn't pivot all the way off the disc. That's as far as I am likely to go today (have a snow diagnosis and adjustment to make before the next 'weather event') Hope you all don't get tired of my tedious requests for help. I really have little aptitude for this stuff.

Thanks! Any idea what I will have to do to get the one on the car OFF?

I need to get the caliper off (released from) the disc. i.e. it is CLAMPED on to the disc.

Here are a few photos of my "clean and solid undercarriage" The more I look at this, the more frustrated I get with myself and eBay-er ( mikesbikes35 ) WARNING: Offensive photos included. You may want to avert your eyes. <iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s230.photobucket.com/user/CMJAnew/embed/slideshow/78%20Brat"></iframe>

Hey folks. My 78 Brat has a frozen (locked up) passenger side brake caliper. From the looks of the undercarriage it has probably been this way for a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time. I'm not a mechanic, nor do I play one in my driveway (you'll hear that a lot from me. So treat your answers as if your talking to someone who knows nothing please. That said, I'd like to try to free this thing up myself. So far I've loosened a bolt on the back side. This looks like where the unit would 'hinge'. Then I pried and wedged and smacked it in a multitude of directions. I've made no progress. The emergency brake cable is not locked up. So, what do I need to do next.

In the beginning I intend to (hope to) just make it road worthy so I have a 4wd errands vehicle. You should see my 1960 Datsun pickup. Now that's a hot rod/rat rod candidate.

I wouldn't buy a car for its investment value anyway. I also have a Buick Reatta convertible - extremely rare, but of little value. The cars I tend to be drawn to are "poor man's collectibles"

Sadly, I didn't need to be told. I'm old enough to know better - and do. But did it anyway. And you're right - I'm so deep into this one.....it makes more sense to pour good money after bad. If I keep the car till I die, the purchase price won't seem so bad.

I wanted to write a novel in the feedback area of eBay. Alas, all I could say was "Do NOT buy sight unseen. Inspect before bidding. Cannot stress enough."

Finding a substantial hole in the undercarriage finally prompted me to contact the seller to let him know of my displeasure with the representation of the Brat in his eBay ad. This hole will require significant welding to repair. (My friend who hauled it to me clued me in). I've yet to get under the car to see what else is going to need attention. We're told to have an independent inspection. We SHOULD listen.

There are quite a few Haynes and Chiltons up now. If an actual Subaru factory manual isn't available is one of these preferable over the other? ThanksMuch

Can you all suggest the best service manual for the 78 Brat? I have an actual Factory/Dealer manual for a Buick Reatta. Is there such available for the Brat? Thanks, Chris

I have a bad memory.....so will have to call you Psycho......! Its easier than looking up the other handles Holes in the bed - I don't believe so. But I've been focused on the other issues. I did find the radio in the glove box. I don't think there are any cracks in the dash - but the vinyl is pealing away all over. OK! Back to some of my earlier concerns. I WAS WRONG ABOUT THE GAS ISSUE I topped it off with an additional 4+ gallons this evening -- I think that's a good thing). It just will not run on its own battery/charging system. I actually moved it to a new resting spot by 'leap frogging' it attached to my garden tractor via jumper cables. Thankfully the neighbors can't see this side of my house Let me know if its better to start new threads concerning each issue, or if its best to just roll along with this one.

Fanatic - No Downer. You just confirmed what I was thinking (what would I have been willing to pay for the car if accurately represented). I'm thinking its the alternator. Though the battery date isn't labeled, it looks pretty new. Forgot to mention, it has a really new looking fuel pump installed, in-line, under the hood. And, it backfired when I shut it down the first time. Psychotic - You don't really have to list the questions (other than it might guide me towards other areas that'll need attention). Ha Ha about my career allowing such foolishness. I paid this because I thought, based on the ad, it only need brake attention. Everyone - I should get my hands on a service manual. Any suggestions on the best. For my Buick Reatta I have the actual Factory/Dealer Shop Manual. Though I'm not a mechanic, and don't understand a lot, it has been helpful with some repairs. Is there such a manual available for the Brat? Thank for all the help. Maybe I should change my name from CMJAnew to Foolbaru

Well the 78 is in my driveway. It arrived while I was at work. Lets see how many questions I answer after monkeying with it for about an hour. Though it has a new.ish battery, it doesn't seem to take a charge. It'll fire right up and run with the 'jump start' attached. I put five gallons of gas in it (the gauge seemed to work) and went through it all in about 100 yards of driving and idling (one nice backfire after the first of three shutdowns) Tested the 4 wheel drive - it works. Wipers don't work. Interior fan blows - but no air seems to come through the vents. There a small rust hole at the base of the driver side shock tower. Though the interior didn't look good in the ebay ad, its worse. The exterior is worse, but not bad, as well - but I actually expected that. Photos lie even when you don't want them too. There is at least one brake hanging up (disclosed in the ad) That's about all I have so far. I thought I might be overpaying. Now I know it. Tell me by how much. p.s. the seller was not the owner on the title.

Sure! Feel free to share the questions? As to me previous owning a Brat. It was for about a year in 78/79, so I guess that hardly counts. I'm all ears when it comes to help concerning vehicles (I am not a mechanic - nor do I play one in the driveway).

Its always a risk when buying sight unseen. But I needed it. i.e. Desire Creates Need. Keep an eye on the sellers feedback. I always provide honest assessments.

Yes! It just ended on eBay. I can't remember what The New one cost in 78. As to this one, I'm sure I paid too much, but less then I was prepared to.

Bought a new 78 Brat way back when. Just bought another today.....sight unseen. Impatiently awaiting its delivery late Thursday.