How to make steering easier?!

[Matthew Ring]

Hi guys, I've recently decided I was gonna buy a 91 White Festy I'll post some pictures on Sunday but one thing I've really noticed is the steering can be kind of hard as it has no power steering, and I was wondering what are my options to make it a little easier on myself? (P.S. I am not at all car savvy so your gonna have to put this into simplemans terms for me )

[Team Lightning]

2001 Rio top mounts (strut top mounts 2 hole) and struts. They make it steer a lot easier. The Rio top mounts have a bearing instead of a friction plate the Festivas have.

[Matthew Ring]

Well Team Lighting you are differently a great person to go to for any questions! Is installing top mounts difficult or like could I leave it to my schools auto shop? We have a couple students who are certified Mechanics.

[drddan]

Anytime I could get someone to do the job for me, i'd be all over it! :mrgreen:
It's not hard, let the students do it!

[jawbraeka]

Will be getting a set of them soon then.. Was the rear suspension anything special, as in the rear suspension supports any good?

sent from the depths of hell.

[David88]

Is the 91 you are looking at Automatic or standard shift? I'm running two Automatic Festys. I've noticed they have heavier steering than manual cars. Not sure why though. Also, its surprising how much steering effort is added with a loss of 5lbs air pressure in the front tires. I over inflate by 5 because, even though the tire guy says there are no leaks, it doesn't stay there for long. Another thing is tire quality. Rolling resistance of poor quality or worn out tires (loose cords) added alot of steering effort. I'm now running yoka 12's from tirerack and they seem to be a good value. Cost a bit more but worth it to me. My wife drive the autos and she appreciates when I keep up on tire pressure and she can tell when I'm a slacker!

[TominMO]

2001 Rio top mounts (strut top mounts 2 hole) and struts. They make it steer a lot easier. The Rio top mounts have a bearing instead of a friction plate the Festivas have.

Can you just use Festy front springs, without modification, with the Rio top and strut? Or do you need to use the Rio spring?

[Aaronbrook37]

Can you just use Festy front springs, without modification, with the Rio top and strut? Or do you need to use the Rio spring?

I would infer Festiva springs are probably alright. The Rio top hats fit perfectly onto my coilover/KYB setup. Hard to say though with the Rio strut.

[Team Lightning]

I would use the Festiva springs if I was keeping it stock. My 93 Blue car has 2.5" x 10" coil overs on it using KYB Rio front struts and mounts and KYB Festiva rear struts. Both ends are 2.5x10 Coil-over Springs with the adjusters lowered all the way down.

[TominMO]

I would use the Festiva springs if I was keeping it stock. My 93 Blue car has 2.5" x 10" coil overs on it using KYB Rio front struts and mounts and KYB Festiva rear struts. Both ends are 2.5x10 Coil-over Springs with the adjusters lowered all the way down.

OK, thanx. I'm happy with normal KYB struts/stock springs on front, but eventually want to go to coilovers on the rear, for wheel clearance and a slightly stiffer spring. But also, how well do Festy front springs fit into the rear struts?

[Team Lightning]

I haven't tried the front springs on the back. My silver 90 was running uncut Aspire rear springs until I swapped to the FMS springs before Madness and it had about a 2-3" lift. Strictly a guess as I never measured it. I just know the rear set a lot higher than it did originally.

[getnpsi]

Get rid of the 80 series tires. I went to a heavier wheel and tire and its still easier to turn. I had my stock tires overinflated. No help. Dont turn steering wheel until you are moving walking speed, you wont griepe about steering effort. Our cars are small you wont hit anything lol. Twisting wheel left and right stationary is a rubber eater, mpg killer as well. Use the effort in foward movements.

[TorqueEffect]

To be honest, I didn't notice much difference in steering effort between the stock struts, and the Rio struts.

[Bert]

To be honest, I didn't notice much difference in steering effort between the stock struts, and the Rio struts.

Done right the difference should be very noticeable. I suspect that you have omitted to install the Rio top hats, or else neglected to place strategic 'contact' washers on top of the strut. If said strut rides on both inner and outer of the Rio bearing then you've defeated the purpose. This whole business is otherwise a no-brainer; Rio/Aspire/Festy/Capri/Escort etc struts are much the same in use and function but it is only Rio 'hats' that have a real bearing inside. Instead of relying on 'maybe lubricated' bushings, metal and nylon washers tightly rubbing against another to provide 'least friction', when turning the wheel.
Two years into this I wouldn't trade Rio hats for any sort of OEM set up.

[Bert]

OK, thanx. I'm happy with normal KYB struts/stock springs on front, but eventually want to go to coilovers on the rear, for wheel clearance and a slightly stiffer spring. But also, how well do Festy front springs fit into the rear struts?

Fronts have a diameter of 4 1/8" and rears are 3 7/8". Folks (forum discussions) tell me they're a direct fit but I've never personally tried. Likely you'll have to leave off the rubber 'seating boot' for one thing. Ordinary Aspire springs did wonders for me, and at very little expense. You'd be hard put to 'bottom-out' my car at the moment, which is quite different from the FMS Sport jobs I had on for year and half nor the 'bagged' Festy springs that were on it when I brought it home.