just got the festiva and death wobble :(

[diponyou]

well im stoked, this weekend i bought a nice 88 ford festiva.

i knew the driver side cv axle was clacking but ive had vehicles in the past that did this and was able to drive on them for a long time.

but when i was driving home after about 1 1/2 hours on the highway i could feel it start wobbling from the driver side and kind of jerking.so i limped it home for the next hour going 40-45 and it was ok.

im assumming i need the fms kit from ebay.

so i bought it already, it should be here within a couple days hopefully.

im hoping its not the cv axle yet.im kinda on a tight budget and dont mind replacing the ball joints and what not but would like to get some more use out of the axle.

what do you think?

i know the right answer would be to replace it but is it necessary?

[doylerl]

Around here, rebuilt cv shafts cost $60. I would recommend replacing it if it is known bad, but you could just check the boots for any tears, and repack it with grease for now.

[batstiva]

I think you are going to find that new LCA/ balljoints, outer tie rod ends, and possibly rack boots may resolve most of your side to side issues. Assuming there's no noise associated with the wobble? Also, put it up in the air, and check the tires over carefully. If they are the 12 inchers, they are kind of subject to belts breaking loose and causing wobbles as well. Are you smooth between 40 and 45, or just tolerable?

[diponyou]

well it was good between 40-45 but every now and then it would wobble and jerk.

but if i accelerate above that speed it will just wobble alot and then once it decelerates it will wobble more,its like i need constant gas for it to remain smooth.

[Festarossa]

If you can afford to, change it. Better safe than sorry!

[wrongfulleaf]

Any news on this? I am having the same problem and have quite a ways to go tomorrow. I am thinking I will take it to a shop and have them check the cv's and see if they can find why it is jerking so hard (almost unsafe).

[1988redfordfestiva]

i have new cv axles in mine and new ball joints and i think the front alignment might need to be done also has new tie rod ends to i think the person who owned the car before me really knew what he was doing the only thing i've been fixing is the rot spots in the rear been grinding down metal and putting in sheet metal what a pain

[batstiva]

well it was good between 40-45 but every now and then it would wobble and jerk.

but if i accelerate above that speed it will just wobble alot and then once it decelerates it will wobble more,its like i need constant gas for it to remain smooth.

No bearing noise, I presume? Please double check your tires. Our small tires are prone to breaking steel belts. Only takes one or two broken belts to produce a hellish drive.

[diponyou]

ok well it was the driver side cv axle.
i replaced it and it rides good again.now i just need to do the pass side and ill be ridin even better.

ohhh and doing the cv axles on these cars is a breeeeeeeeze.
i was happy about that.