Big brakes and wheel bearing question

[greywolf200]

Okay, so Festiva brake discs are skinny little things and the bearings require a specialist to replace properly, big problem. We can use Aspire, Kia Rio and Capri hubs and brakes as a high performance replacement. All change the bolt pattern and have different bearings. Which is the easiest conversion, which has the best, easiest to replace bearings. I'm guessing since the Kia is the newest, they would probably be readily available the longest. What about drilling the conversion with the Festiva bolt pattern?

Inquiring minds want to know,

[FestYboy]

capri swap = festy bolt pattern with 9.6" OR 10.2" vented rotors (the big ones are XR2)

aspire and Rio swap = 4x100 pattern with as big as 9.6" vented rotors

i like the capri swap BUT, you have to use aspire LCAs to make them work... and 14" wheels minimum.

[Bert]

The swap over to Aspire/Rio fronts is overall monumental for Festys not just because the components are larger but because they are infinitely easier to service. Floating (ie 2 retaining screws out (if you still use these) rotors means you can change them with almost no effort) rotors is wonderful and then to discover the those rotors are vented (each braking face is separated by cooling fins) is another. As to brake upgrades beyond Aspire-size is a moot point; you've already instantly moved up from a 6 to a V8 so just how big does that V8 have to be. Aspire is big, early Rio is bigger and 03-04? is biggest. The Aspire/Rio upgrade also gets you a more universal 4 x 100 bolt pattern for choice of 13-14-15" rims.

Festys/Aspires/Rios (unfortunately) all have the same archaic (stupid) pre-load spacer front bearing setup and if you can learn to deal with one of them you can deal with the others.

Capri brakes, as I understand it, are merely oversized versions of Festys; non-floating solids that will not allow you to re-use your existing Festy wheels (Capri calipers are too big for Festy rim contours) even though the screwball 114.3 x 4 bolt pattern is the same.

This is a fast summary and I'm sure if there are errors in this text the next wizard 'coming up to bat' with advice will 'pipe up' with corrections to my advice.

[greywolf200]

capri swap = festy bolt pattern with 9.6" OR 10.2" vented rotors (the big ones are XR2)

aspire and Rio swap = 4x100 pattern with as big as 9.6" vented rotors

i like the capri swap BUT, you have to use aspire LCAs to make them work... and 14" wheels minimum.

I stand corrected on the bolt pattern. 10" rotors sound good. Does it use bearing packs that are readily available? I like the sound of that swap also.

[greywolf200]

The swap over to Aspire/Rio fronts is overall monumental for Festys not just because the components are larger but because they are infinitely easier to service. Floating (ie 2 retaining screws out (if you still use these) rotors means you can change them with almost no effort) rotors is wonderful and then to discover the those rotors are vented (each braking face is separated by cooling fins) is another. As to brake upgrades beyond Aspire-size is a moot point; you've already instantly moved up from a 6 to a V8 so just how big does that V8 have to be. Aspire is big, early Rio is bigger and 03-04? is biggest. The Aspire/Rio upgrade also gets you a more universal 4 x 100 bolt pattern for choice of 13-14-15" rims.


Festys/Aspires/Rios (unfortunately) all have the same archaic (stupid) pre-load spacer front bearing setup and if you can learn to deal with one of them you can deal with the others.

Capri brakes, as I understand it, are merely oversized versions of Festys; non-floating solids that will not allow you to re-use your existing Festy wheels (Capri calipers are too big for Festy rim contours) even though the screwball 114.3 x 4 bolt pattern is the same.

This is a fast summary and I'm sure if there are errors in this text the next wizard 'coming up to bat' with advice will 'pipe up' with corrections to my advice.

Thanks, I already have some 14" wheels (Festy pattern) that I really like so that's no problem. I need lower control arms anyway. Gotta check out the bearing situation on the Capri. From reading the suspension thread, there seems to be no real gain from changing the rear beam and I don't think I want dual bolt patterns and prefer period style wheels which rarely come with dual bolt patterns.

This is helping tremendously, thanks,

[TominMO]

Thanks, I already have some 14" wheels (Festy pattern) that I really like so that's no problem. I need lower control arms anyway. Gotta check out the bearing situation on the Capri. From reading the suspension thread, there seems to be no real gain from changing the rear beam and I don't think I want dual bolt patterns and prefer period style wheels which rarely come with dual bolt patterns.

This is helping tremendously, thanks,

Timken SET11 is used on the Capri, the Festiva and the Aspire front knuckle. You need two sets per side.

[greywolf200]

Timken SET11 is used on the Capri, the Festiva and the Aspire front knuckle. You need two sets per side.

So all use this same shim set-up to set the adjustment of the front bearings so there is no gain in that area. The Capri bearing is the same design as the Festiva so the only improvement is in larger ventilated discs.

Thanks, it's all getting clearer,

[sketchman]

^And with the Capri swap you are still "stuck" with bolt on rotors. To me, if you're gonna do a swap, why not get the best you can, unless you're just set on the wheels that are stock bolt pattern.

Best bang for the buck, IMO is the early Rio swap which seems to be the same as an auto Aspire swap. It gives you a knuckle that uses the same calipers as an Escort( read easily and cheaply available; as an example my loaded rebuilt calipers were $50 for the set plus shipping) The later Rios use a different caliper design that is unique/bad/expensive. It's too big and bulky IMO, and I don't care for the more modern pad design is uses.

Only benefit to using the late model Rio to swap, IMO on a mostly stock Festiva, is that is uses studs from the factory, but the conversion is so cheap and easy that it's a moot point, again IMO.

[TominMO]

Only thing I would add is that if you wanted to stay with 4x114, Rocketman has a conversion to a Mitsubishi rotor that can be installed from the front. But I would only go this route if I wanted absolute maximum possible braking force (without going to expensive custom components, that is) and wanted to keep 4x114.

Aspire or Rio = no-brainer.

Sketch, what years are you referring to as "early Rio"?

[sketchman]

02 and under use the old style caliper and you have to add studs if you want them.
Looks like this


New style has threads in the caliper and through hole mounting ears on the knuckle.
Here is a link that shows the new style knuckles, pads, and calipers.

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?44448-2004-rio-spinsles-and-calipers&highlight=rio+caliper

[chrisbob]

Any garage with a press should be able to change the rotors and bearings for you. I took the steering knuckle off my 88 festiva and took them to the local garage and had the bearings and rotors changed for 20 bucks per wheel. they used a hydrolic press to separate the assembly and put it back together again.

[Rocketman]

Only thing I would add is that if you wanted to stay with 4x114, Rocketman has a conversion to a Mitsubishi rotor that can be installed from the front. But I would only go this route if I wanted absolute maximum possible braking force (without going to expensive custom components, that is) and wanted to keep 4x114.

Aspire or Rio = no-brainer.

Sketch, what years are you referring to as "early Rio"?

Bhazard is the only one I know of to have done the 323/Capri Big Brake upgrade & apply it to the Festiva. It solves the captured rotor problem and offers more rotor and swept area



It's really not that involved. If you're not up to the job, I sell machined hubs or even whole bolt on Big Brake upgrades depending on your budget

[bhazard]

Huge brakes suck. Just do an aspire swap and be done with it.

[Flyin4stroke]

Brad is right. ^

[greywolf200]

^And with the Capri swap you are still "stuck" with bolt on rotors. To me, if you're gonna do a swap, why not get the best you can, unless you're just set on the wheels that are stock bolt pattern.

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the problem with "bolt on rotors". I'n aware of them, but no experience.

Thanks,