Subieguy Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 I just put new rear shocks in my 78 Brat. Man what a difference that made over the old worn out originals. Now I would like to do the front struts. I know they have not been made in a long time. Any suggestions? I have heard that ea-81 struts can be used. But doesn't parts on it need to be relocated to make it fit right? If so wouldn't you need to weld those pieces back in place. Now last time I checked these things are under pressure and I don't see how with the heat produced by a welder you could do this without destroying the strut. I suppose you might be able to if you just weld a little spot at a time and let it sit forever to fully cool. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Better yet anybody have a pair of NOS front struts for sale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subieguy Posted March 16, 2007 Author Share Posted March 16, 2007 Come on! Nobody has needed front struts for their gen1?:-\ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeroy Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 About 4 years ago I replaced the front strut inserts (shocks) on my 1978 4WD wagon. I just checked today at the parts store and they are still listed in the catalogue. They are Gabriel shocks and the part number is G44730. They suit years 6/76 to 8/80. I would assume the Brat uses the same strut. Are these no longer available new? I checked Gabriel's web site and it only goes back to 1982!?! So maybe they no longer make them which would be a shame as they were gas shocks and made a nice improvement to my wagon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael appel Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 kyb sells them still to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Yes, the 4WD wagon and the BRAT use the same strut. The 2WDs use a different one. Very similar, but diffrent due to the adjustable feature. Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biffanyus Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 There are some on ebay. Check there. Sorry no link. Good luck.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kostamojen Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Question, where did you get rear shocks from? And what brand are they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subieguy Posted March 24, 2007 Author Share Posted March 24, 2007 I got KYB shocks. I got them from a yahoo store called classic garage. They were $54.95 for a pair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86BRATMAN Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 I got KYB shocks. I got them from a yahoo store called classic garage. They were $54.95 for a pair. Damn, thats pretty cheap, good find!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kostamojen Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 I got KYB shocks. I got them from a yahoo store called classic garage. They were $54.95 for a pair. Got a link? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86BRATMAN Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 search classic garage on yahoo. it came up in the first few links for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subieguy Posted March 25, 2007 Author Share Posted March 25, 2007 Here is the link: http://store.classicgarage.com/subbratrears.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kostamojen Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 search classic garage on yahoo. it came up in the first few links for me. Tried that, didnt come up with any legitimate links, hense had to ask for a link. Thanks Subieguy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenaissanceMan Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 I just put new rear shocks in my 78 Brat. Man what a difference that made over the old worn out originals. Now I would like to do the front struts. I know they have not been made in a long time. Any suggestions? I have heard that ea-81 struts can be used. But doesn't parts on it need to be relocated to make it fit right? If so wouldn't you need to weld those pieces back in place. Now last time I checked these things are under pressure and I don't see how with the heat produced by a welder you could do this without destroying the strut. I suppose you might be able to if you just weld a little spot at a time and let it sit forever to fully cool. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Better yet anybody have a pair of NOS front struts for sale? Rich, you saw what I did for struts on the old brat I had right? that wasnt too bad to do... actually, I just have them sitting in storage right now if you needed to get inspired by them -Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subieguy Posted March 25, 2007 Author Share Posted March 25, 2007 Anybody got a link as to where I can purchase some new front struts at? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kostamojen Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 The front strut inserts are on that classic car website too: http://store.classicgarage.com/gl1.html Although ill probably just take those part numbers and order them from somewhere else... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subieguy Posted March 29, 2007 Author Share Posted March 29, 2007 So are the original front struts rebuildable? I noticed on the top of the strut it almost looks like a big nut holding it together. I have one with the spring off it and that was just my impression. If not where do I find a strut with the part that the spring mounts on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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