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

Awesome project you've undertaken. The only advice I can give you is about the axles. Make sure you soak the hubs where the axle is splined into it with a bunch of PBlaster if it won't come off. I've never had an issue with the front axles not coming out of the wheel bearings though, just hit them hard enough with a hammer and POP:banana:

Awesome project you've undertaken. The only advice I can give you is about the axles. Make sure you soak the hubs where the axle is splined into it with a bunch of PBlaster if it won't come off. I've never had an issue with the front axles not coming out of the wheel bearings though, just hit them hard enough with a hammer and POP:banana:

 

tony... I can bring by my "hammer of Thor".

 

What time are you guys going to get started with this project?

 

BW

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.

The axle should come out easily.

 

However, the difficult part are the disc brakes in the front... They are a royal PITA due to the shims and "screw" based piston

 

Make sure you have the correct piston un-winding tool, or are able to make one (I used an old socket).

Yeah I had to fabricate a tool to get the calipers turned back down. Definetly a pain to do if you don't have a tool for it.

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

I envy your productiveness

Nice work!