New to Festiva's

[nitrofarm]

Hello friends,this is a Father & Son project I'm working on. This is our first Festiva and we are in for the long haul. I have ordered a dealership manual. But it hasn't arrived yet. My first question is concerming the rear brakes. I am used to a rear drum having an automatic adjuster. But there doesn't seem to be any installed? Are you just supposed to loosen the bleeder,compress the wheel cylinder. And then install the drum over the shoes? Also what is the clip for on the backing plate? (I posted some pics). I'm trying to get the "E" Brake cable adjusted. But the jam nut is corroded badly. (I'm hoping I can get this cable from a dealer) Any suggestion's would be most appreciated!

[hotfordcat]

E-brake is no longer available from the Dealer. I did find one from a locater at http://www.directfordparts.com/partl...D=279523764511
It was $135+ shipping, but that was two years ago. Best bet would be [WTB] add posted here, or a local JY.

[takeone51]

their was an adjuster on mine, you should have seen a small spring under the brake cylinder if the previous person that changed the brakes didn't loose is...

[nitrofarm]

This is what I have I dont see anyway to manually "Adjust" the brake.

[takeone51]

can u not get the drum back on? it will adjust it self once you put the drum on and step on the brakes..

[Gforcefd]

I believe but I may be wrong (probably). Under the red spring in your picture that is that piece of metal attached to the brake shoes, if you look closely one side actually has teeth underneath. You set taht so the pad is at its maximum away from the drum, put the drum on, and I believe when you press the brakes it self adjusts out to the proper distance.

Logan

[TominMO]

The blue spring is attached to the adjuster, the thing with teeth. Normal use should adjust it if it is working properly.

Get a Haynes manual as well. Never hurts to have several reference sources. One source might have a better explanation or better pictures.

[Safety Guy]

Yep, the blue spring is attached to the combination self-adjuster/handbrake lever part. You need to flip the toothed gear over when you redo the brakes. Also, this part often requires soaking in PB Blaster for a while to unfreeze it when it sticks. When you remove it from the brake drum assembly, check to see if it moves freely. If not--soak, soak, soak. Then bang it on a cement floor some and soak it some more. Repeat as necessary till it moves freely. Then make sure the teeth are flipped over when reinstalling.

If it won't free up, then go to a 'yard and get some more (may as well pull a whole brake drum or two if you care to).

Aspire drums are the same design, but larger and usually last longer and are IMO a bit easier to work on. If you begin having a lot of problems with your Festiva stock brakes, I highly recommend the Aspire brake swap.

Good luck!

Karl

[lessersivad]

E-brake is no longer available from the Dealer. I did find one from a locater at http://www.directfordparts.com/partl...D=279523764511
It was $135+ shipping, but that was two years ago. Best bet would be [WTB] add posted here, or a local JY.

I just checked that site. $109.24. Shows as discontinued. Checked Greens also. Nada, zilch. Called the dealer where I bought mine a few years ago. They ran a parts search. Nope, nobody.

Part # is E8BZ2853A in case someone wants it.

[hotfordcat]

I just checked that site. $109.24. Shows as discontinued. Checked Greens also. Nada, zilch. Called the dealer where I bought mine a few years ago. They ran a parts search. Nope, nobody.

Part # is E8BZ2853A in case someone wants it.

Yeah, I figured they were long gone!!!

[nitrofarm]

Thanks guys that helps. I think I'm going to have to to do a little fab work to get the E Brake CABLE to adjust. I think I'm going to cut into the rectangle bracket. This will allow me to get a wrench on the adjuster. Then when I'm done I'll weld the bracket back together.

[nitrofarm]

Yep, the blue spring is attached to the combination self-adjuster/handbrake lever part. You need to flip the toothed gear over when you redo the brakes. Also, this part often requires soaking in PB Blaster for a while to unfreeze it when it sticks. When you remove it from the brake drum assembly, check to see if it moves freely. If not--soak, soak, soak. Then bang it on a cement floor some and soak it some more. Repeat as necessary till it moves freely. Then make sure the teeth are flipped over when reinstalling.

If it won't free up, then go to a 'yard and get some more (may as well pull a whole brake drum or two if you care to).

Aspire drums are the same design, but larger and usually last longer and are IMO a bit easier to work on. If you begin having a lot of problems with your Festiva stock brakes, I highly recommend the Aspire brake swap.

Good luck!

Karl

Thanks Karl,whats the purpose of flipping the gear? Thanks -

[xaero_81]

I don't think flipping the gear adjusts your emergency brake cable. That's only for regular brake adjustment after shoe replacement.

[nitrofarm]

I don't think flipping the gear adjusts your emergency brake cable. That's only for regular brake adjustment after shoe replacement.

Ya Thanks XAERO I understand that about the E brake. I was just wondering. Does it turn itself over during normal break wear. Then you are required to flip it during shoe replacemant? Thanks-

[xaero_81]

Let's say swivel instead of flip. It automatically swivels as the shoes wear and yes you return it back once you replace your shoes.