Kia Rio front strut mounts on Festys

[Bert]

It is often hard to describe upgrades/improvements tn a car once the previous set up has been replaced. But it just so happens that I have 2 identical 93 Festys and one of them now has the Rio front strut mounts with bearings in it. Driving that car all of this week in comparison to driving the other one all of last week certainly illustrated the difference. The ease of turning Rio struts feels 1/2 way to having power assist! The difference is quite noticeable.

However, Festy shocks (or Aspire for that matter) are not a 'presto' fit through Rio bearing mounts (they need to be sleeved or wrapped) so if you're contemplating such a move perhaps investing in Rio shocks is also in order. Timmay89 has recently completed an entire 2 stud Rio (00-02) swap c/w springs and hasn't reported anything unusual, except for overall height, so there is now proof out there that this can be done.

[rollertoaster]

I have the bearing uppers on a set of 04rio struts and everything works fine, except for the fact that the brake hose brackets are in the wrong place. Nothing a wire tie or two doesn't fix


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[Bert]

rollertoaster; And these would be 2 stud mounts instead of the 3 stud arrangement I've seen on Rios fresher than 02? You're right about the brake hose brackets but then again Aspire shocks are much the same and don't fit Festy's either.

[zoom zoom]

I don't know the difference between festy's and aspires, but my brake hose fit perfectly in the rio strut bracket on my aspire.

[Safety Guy]

The early year Rio front strut hose brackets should mate well with either Aspire or Rio front brake hoses. Should fit like stock, as mine did. (I originally made the mistake of using Festiva hoses that I thought were Aspire hoses--I needed to use zip ties until I put in the correct hoses--gotta watch out for those Rockauto closeouts!)

Later years (7/02 on?) may not. I don't know as I haven't fit mine yet.

Karl

[rollertoaster]

Yes, I am using 02 rip strut bearings (2 bolt), with 2004 rio struts ( they have extra tabs for abs and stuff that can be trimmed off)


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[shadetree]

I had them and didn't like the change . I swapped back to aspire cuts .

[Movin]

Golf struts 03 rio bearing plates..

to be installed Christmas break

[zoom zoom]

I had them and didn't like the change . I swapped back to aspire cuts .

Did you swap struts and springs or just springs?

[FestYboy]

Golf struts 03 rio bearing plates..

to be installed Christmas break

i thought the '03 rio bearings wouldn't fit due to the extra stud.

[timmay89]

Did you swap struts and springs or just springs?

I swapped the whole assembly, and it works great. I absolutely love the new Kia rio assemblies, and yes it does sit a bit higher, but I figure by putting in the rear aspire shocks it should be leveled off.

I would recommend this upgrade to anyone who is going for junkyard parts.

Great job Bert on the swap! Do you have any pictures? Did you end up using the festiva springs?

[Movin]

i thought the '03 rio bearings wouldn't fit due to the extra stud.

They are two stud and from Monroe.

[FestYboy]

oh, so it's '00-'03 that work then... good to know.

[Safety Guy]

Careful: according to Rockauto the strut and front brake change was around late 2002. IIRC it was July. Arty, you are talking about the strut mounts, right?

Karl

[FestYboy]

yeah just the mounts, no brakes.