Looking for a good repair place

[Team Lightning]

I've lost 2 spindles (right rear) because the ASE certified mechanics didn't understand the operation of an impact wrench.

[Pu241]

The "mechanics" paid for those didn't they?

[Team Lightning]

Not all of it!!
They also didn't get anymore business from me. Nor any recommendations!!

[batstiva]

The "mechanics" paid for those didn't they?

In my case, the answer would be yes. Yes for the spindle, and yes for a whole lot more.

Jerry Lee, curious what excuse they came up with when they decided not to pay. Seems kind of open and shut to me. You break the car, you fix it.

[sc72]

BeBandit

If you make it down to help Teresa,take some pic's so we know what we are working with.

[Teresa]

If the car can be driven your daughter can take it in for a free brake inspection at some national chain, like Canadian Tire here in Canada. Here in Ontario there is a government safety inspection all cars must pass before they can be registered by a new owner. If the same is true in Georgia your daughter will get a list of things the car needs, if any, before she can change the tags over to her name. Many of the standard parts for the Festiva are still available new if she is not willing to look for them in junk yards. She should get an estimate for all the work that needs to be done before deciding if she should keep the car.

The car is already registered in her name, and there's nothing that keeps it from being street-worthy. Hopefully it doesn't need as much mechanical work as I imagine, since it does run relatively well. She's not afraid of a challenge, and will be willing to check at junkyards, if she knows what she needs and how to know if it's in acceptable condition when she finds it. I hope that she will meet with Jerry as soon as possible and then go from there.

I'll try to find a few pics and post them tomorrow.

[htchbck]

Met the car and Amanda (Teresa's daughter) yesterday to replace the rusty pass side headlight, and its in pretty good shape overall. A few dings and dents here and there, and the clearcoat on the roof is fading, but mechnically its pretty solid. Only real problem I noticed were the rear wheel bearings are a little worn, and the fronts are getting pretty bad, can hear there whirring even at 30MPH. She's going to try not to drive it this week and next weekend we'll be going back down there with the Aspire swap off of my parts car, instead of replacing the bearings. After that and maybe a drivers side axle, and some maintenance here and there it should be good to go, then its just the little things like dual mirrors, stereo, speakers, stuff like that. Good solid little car to work from though. She's already asking about motor swaps too, so I'm looking forward to having some fun with this car since I don't have one of my own to play with right now. I'll keep everyone updated on progress and also what parts we may need down the road!

[TominMO]

That's a heckuva good deed you're doing there, htchbck! That's why this site is so great--the people.

[Teresa]

Joseph, A huge thank you!

It's good to have somebody who knows what they're doing, guiding and helping us on this project. I'm very excited anticipating the finished project. I've always loved this little car, and it will be so much better once we've jazzed it up.

[htchbck]

Wait till you see it with the new wheels this weekend! Makes a BIG difference in both appearance and safety, should also get rid of some of the vibration at highway speeds too

[Pu241]

We want pics before and after!

[htchbck]

yeah, I meant to get pics yesterday but I'll make sure I do this weekend. All thats been done to it so far is replace a rusty headlight that had a tiny hole from a rock but enough to let water in and rust get started

[Teresa]

I'll try to find a few pics and post them tomorrow.

I only found one pic and it's not worth posting. Amanda and/or Joseph hopefully will post some soon. I asked her to take a bunch of interior and exterior.