Diagnosing from afar 9which is always iffy at best) it does sound like a wheel cylinder has gone pop.

Brakes don't go out of adjustment from sitting still, they wear as you drive the car.  Hydraulics on the other hand can spring leaks just because they feel like it.  A sharp pull to one side suggests fluid contaminated shoes - ironically they actually bite better when first wetted, and then fail.  Pull the drums off and check behind the rubber seals to make sure.  Changing them is simple but tricky for an absolute novice.  there are plenty of willing hands to show and help though.

I think of Robin every time I open the bonnet of Tubbs - the Minivation Clubman v1.5 hinges were designed in my workshop with him getting stuck in.  I think he delayed his wanderings by a day just to carry on playing...

ok. thanks.. yep.. could have to be bled but maybe just adjusted.

That came out bad Jim.  I am sorry for that.  I appreciate the help and am glad you took mom out for a ride.  You don't have to be afraid of it, the car needs to be used.  The brakes probably need to be adjusted.  They might even need to be bled?

just trying to help

I would prefer to take care of things myself.  Unfortunately, as I said before not being the owner of the vehicle makes the situation awkward at best.  They were working fine after Bill and I adjusted them in the spring.  (My cousin drove it and had no braking problems.)  The fluid did look a little low.  (Lower than the clutch reservoir.)  Will need time to assess and diagnose.  We won't be using that guy Jim.

Probably just a front wheel cylinder gone bad from sitting.

If you are going to drive it, you need to learn to wrench on it. Your dad would want it that way. Anyway, adjusting the brakes is an easy job. First off, you can jack the car up and take one of the front wheels off. From there, pull the drum off. There may or may not be 2 posidrive/phillips type screws that hold the drum to the hub assembly. I don't see the necessity for these 2 screws so normally they are left off in lieu of them being a pain in the butt to remove sometimes. Anyway, once you pull the drum you can easily see if the brake linings are good or close to metal. If they have sufficient meat left on them, put the drum back on the hub assembly. Find the square headed adjuster on the back side of the backing plate and see if it moves in and out easily. They make a specific wrench for this square headed adjuster, but if it turns easily you can use regular open end wrench on it. Turn the adjuster until the drum won't spin freely. Once you get there, back the adjuster off a quarter of a turn. Put the wheel back on and go do the other side. Easy peasy. You don't have to pull the wheel off to adjust the brakes if you are sure the brake shoes are good, but you will need to jack it up so the wheel will spin. Hope this helps. As far as adjusting brakes, you can also adjust the rear brakes, but they don't really do anything on a Moke except let you use the handbrake. Also, if you do decide to adjust them anyway, please get the special wrench to do that. The one on the rear is a very small square and strips very easily.

I explained the braking issue to Butch. he though the brakes needed adjustment.. I doubt if an entire brake job is needed.

Just outside of Lodi, Butch Dobbins on Friendsville Road, Seville mailing address.. real trustworthy and reputable.. 

I start it up about once a week.  Is your mechanic the guy just past Lodi?  I think Dad ran it richer so it is less likely to grenade.  I will look into the braking issue when I am over there tomorrow.  It might just need a brake job.  Hope the parking brake wasn't on when you guys took it out!    I do not leave it in gear when I put it to bed.   (Mostly so I know if someone has driven it and Mom forgets to tell me.)  I am not the official owner and it is getting harder to know it sits way too much.  Although every time I start it up, it makes me proud of what he built.  

Lets hope that the sweet part of the bitter is that it was the presence of Robin you could feel.  No matter your beliefs, we can hope that he was along for that ride.  

On the way back from a client Monday, I drove past where Robin lived. Janet was in the drive and I pulled in.. very nice to see Janet but very sad circumstances, even after a year has gone by..

Chatted with Janet a few minutes and I asked to see the Moke.. it was looking as good as it ever did.. As I was admiring the Moke and reminding Janet how much Robin was so kind to me and how I miss him, she asked me if I could take the Moke, and her, for a ride.

Started right up.. I had the choke pulled but it it started very strong.. it may have even started without the choke but not sure..  The car seemed to run a bit rich, pretty strong smell of gasoline in the air and a little rough engine sound and feel

The shifter knob, the very top of the shifter seemed a bit loose.. not sure if those tighten by turning or another way, or at all.

We went for a ride.. the brakes at first pump did not stop.. after I kept pumping them the brakes kicked in, at least one stop the car swirved to the left.. 

One big hill.. I did not get a proper "running start" and by the top of the hill I think I was down to second gear.

The moke looked great, all with the stickers Robin had amassed as well as the hula dancer on the pedal box.

I gave Janet the name and number of my mechanic, who Robin already had him do some work.  The problems seemed 
fairly simple to fix.. He can even pick up the Moke with his trailer and bring it back..

It was nice to see Janet and the Moke but the meeting was very bitter sweet.. very nice to see Janet and the Moke but the absence of Robin was all over the garage and the Moke