DaveAP

I have two subaru struts (never installed, bought at Habitat). I need to order the top strut mount components. I saw a blowup of parts at my suby parts dept. They included some specialty washers (at 16.00 a piece)a rubber bushing (I assume with the bearing). The mount that bolts into the wheel well... Has anyone ordered these parts and can clear up what I need to order. The parts guy didn't have a clue. Autozone had more what I expected, I just don't know if it is brand specific. Like does gabriel use something different than subaru? The parts aren't cheap. Thanks dp.

Ed, how do you define "less active"? The older I get the more it seems I have to do. Just turned 56. Dave.

That's funny, my son rolled onto my my old sears unit. I beat out the cover. It still works fine too. I've had trouble with the newer "smart" chargers. "Check Battery" sign. Guess I need to gas them with some old sears juice before using the smart one.

When I need to keep the wheel locked while removing the axle nut or rotor bolts. I use a length of unistrut. I fits right over two lug bolts perfect. Mine is about 3-4 ft. long. The end rests on the ground the other end over the two bolts, just watch buggering up the threads. Unistrut is a piece of channel steel, predrilled with oblong holes about every 2-3 inches, used to mount hvac or other equipment. Peace... out, Dave. '78, '87 brats

GD, would that be with the control arm out of the vehicle? I ended up propping a two by under the castle nut and placed a large chisel flat on top of the control arm. That gave me a larger striking area, just whaled on it. Thanks.

Done! Patience, persistance, and p b blaster.

Greetings, I am working on '87 brat front end. Am going to replace the front struts. I have the steering knuckle and strut assembly off. Tie rods are off. Ball joints are stuck in control arm I have pb'd them, beat on the control arm with a 2x4 under the castle nut. I am thinking heat next and beating. Are the pickle forks an option? I will be replacing the ball joint. Take the control arm off, and have the stud pressed out? Has anyone used a puller on them? Thanks, Dave in Prescott, Az.

Thanks for the reply. They pass that muster. I am slowly collecting parts to upgrade the front end. Will redo the struts, have new rotors and pads,will do the tie rods, also have the disc upgrade for the rears.

Was checking out habitat store today. Found a new set of struts for 15 bucks, they don't look like they have been used. Any way to check out their condition before installing? For my '87 brat. Made in Japan. thanks, dave.

Well, he got it home, and gave it a good wash. It's been parked longer than I realized. It was last registered in '93. He took out the seats, and cleared all the field friends poop, and nests. It does have a couple of spots of rust, one from an impact and another on top of the front fenders. Gen ones are pretty rare around here, I will have to keep my eyes open for some door handles. I used to have a '78 wagon that ate them. We haven't tryed cranking it yet. Want to clear the fuel system first.

Any updates?

That would be, '79 brat. No pics yet.

My son just pulled his '79 out from my friends back forty. It's been parked for at least 10 years. Is an Az. car, has the large sun roof, doesn't appear to have leaked. Has high roll bar, body is still pretty straight, except for the top of the tailgate. No visible rust. We'll be looking for a carpet kit, also a tailgate (door) handle. It looks pretty cool next to my lifted '78.

Yeah, that is the one I used. Thanks for the technical expertise.

My bad, you are right. Not in the repair manual. That is the link that I used though. Who wrote that up?

Skip, I am old school, not too very computer literate. I can go to that site using the search function, but don't know how to link to it. peace out. dp

I wanted to do a follow up on my thread, as people have commented on lack of anyone doing that. Cable is back in. Got it from subaru dealer. 24 bucks. The write up in the repair forum was my bible. Great job whoever wrote that up. I didn't see any credits, so who ever you are, a mighty thanks. Some things that made it easier...take the seat out. I have a snap on tool that has a hardened steel hook on the end of it....used it alot, to pull the spring clips off, helped put that pain in the rump roast rubber tity thing back in. Push the rubber grommet back into fire wall. Lighting is key, had both a trouble light, and head light. Kneeling pad (old timer) Yes the job is a pain in the rump roast. Bring your patience, don't be baby sitting, or off your meds. Later, Dave

I milled a piece of wood to follow the curve of the tailgate, and grooved it to fit over the seam. That's as far as it's gone. I'm not entirely pleased with the look, but I use my brat as a daily driver and it sees ALOT of things tied down on the tailgate. I still have the trim but it was taking a beating.

Cable came in today. My cable was routed under the coolant pipes and steering shaft. Is that the preferred way? The cable broke near the steering shaft where it had a pretty hard turn. later, dp

I had a look at what auto zone had to offer. not impressed. will be ordering from dealer tomorrow, but it won't get here until wed.

Well autozone didn't have what I needed, so I will check the dealer tomorrow. Hard to have to suby down for too long but will see what happens. Got the old one out, so half way there. It was routed under the water lines, and steering shaft. I was broken where it looped under the steering shaft. Thanks for the input guys. Dave.

yeah, it is the 87 (ea81), just did a search for info, and found a good one with pics! Gotta love this site, after searching I realize that my brat uses a spring clip to hold the cable housing, not a bolt. I went under that dash 3 times trying to find that 10 mm bolt. By the way I removed my seat, couldn't imagine trying to fit in there with it in place. I know I should go oem, but probably will go with autozone as they have one in stock. Thanks for the napa link.

I get to do the clutch cable on my brat. Oh boy. Local autozone has one for the wagon. Do they also fit on the brat? Seems to me both swap. I'm pulling old out tonight, will compare it to the one at autozone tomorrow. Just thought I'd ask. thanks, dave. '78,87 brats.

Sounds similar to my symptoms. It was hard to diagnose because, it would happen going down the road, no passenger to look while I stayed in the drivers seat... dead in the water in traffic until I muscled it back into place. If I jacked up the front and turned the steering, it wouldn't do it. I did the replcement method and redid the inners, outers (tierods) and the steering rack. Like others I suspect the rag joint, or steering extention, or maybe it is hanging up while in rotation somewhere. I lost favor of that rig and parked it, since I had bought another brat and just drove it instead. Guess I need to get off my duff and revive the old brat, and take a new fresher look at it.

My '78 brat did that, it's been parked for a while. Will be interested to see how this works out. Mine did it sporadically,someone here a long time ago thought the shaft or where it goes into the pinion might be binding on something. Is your rig lifted? dave.