Brakes or Swap?

[falkenfighter]

Just purchased my first festiva and can hear the bearings growl and the brakes are junk. Is it worth just going ahead and trying to do the aspire 4x100 swap with the brakes or just rebuild what i have.

Rebuild of what i have seems simple but also seems like it would be kind of a waste of money since I think that even used aspire stuff will probably be better then some new festiva brakes.

I need to really tear it apart and see what all i need first i suppose. It pulls to the right under acceleration and to the left under braking. Definitely needs love.

[sketchman]

I have both a car with good stock brakes and one with an Aspire/Rio swap. The swap is a vast improvement over the stock stuff even when the stock parts are in good shape. It just feels right if that makes sense. Especially if you plan on bigger wheels/tires I'd go ahead and swap it.

[falkenfighter]

Ill have to reread what all is needed and see if i can source it from the junkyard. I need to do a bunch of work to it getting it up to par to drive on the road

[bravekozak]

No question. Swap. Dump the solid rotors for vented ones. If you are good with a hacksaw and a vice, then buy some -3 teflon-lined stainless flex hose + fittings and replace all four of your rubber flex lines, while you are at it.

[falkenfighter]

Im gonna go junkyard hunting tomorrow if its nice out. Probably gonna order some stuff tonight as well. As far as wheel bearings and axles are they the same for the conversion?

[sketchman]

Axles are the same spline. Not sure on the bearings. Same design, though. Check the cross ref on rockauto to be sure.

[william]

Temkin set 11 is used for festiva,aspire and rio.

[falkenfighter]

Cool cool. I hear em growling like crazy so i figure ill do em all. Is there a picture thread on the conversion?

[Team Lightning]

You need both steering knuckles, and the rear beam with the E brake cable from the Aspire. Some swap the sway bar also.
You need the hoses from the Aspire for the front and rear brakes, although I did use the Festiva hoses on the rear of my swap.
You also need a set of 4x100 Aspire or compatible wheels as this swap changes the bolt pattern and the stock Festiva wheels no longer fit.

[falkenfighter]

It looks like the weather isnt gonna cooperate today so i think ill strip the interior and start cleaning

[turbokid]

Friendly word of advice, if you are pulling aspire brakes front and back, bring a friend, PB blaster,a pickle fork, and a breaker bar, dont forget the big socket for the axle lug i believe its 29mm but a 30mm works. Also, check the donor cars front bearings before you take the time to pull them. Learn from my mistakes

[Flyin4stroke]

For the ball joints, you don't need a pickle fork. Just slam the ball joint with a hammer and it will fall out.

[falkenfighter]

Yeah i have all the tools i need, just gotta con a friend into helping lol. I figured i would replace all the bearings anyway.

[Damkid]

Brakes or Swap?

I personally never rely on my friends to help out.... If I want something done on my car, I do it myself :lol: but that's me

The aspire swap is extremely worth it, you'll be happy with it for sure

[falkenfighter]

Oh i do my own, im talking about going to the junkyard to get the stuff lol