Four months of fun, this might be the end.

[Charlie1717]

If it can hold out for nicer weather Charlie and I could make an adventure of it, or you can scrape up a little cash to cover my shops greedy needs to get it in the door. I would be happy to help get your car in tip top shape. I work in Greenwood, I've help Charlie a few times if you need references. I also have an extra set of complete from hubs, I'm sure the bearings could use replaced, but I drove on them for a couple months before doing the aspire swap. I would practically give them away.

Dennis needs no reference he is a very knowledgeable person when it comes to these little cars (and just cars in general!) If you can get into his shop that is where some real damage can be done! You are about an hour away from his shop I'd imagine.

On a side note louisville is less than an hour from me I didn't realize how much longer it would take from bloomington. Regardless I'd recommend just getting it all from Gauge.

Edit: Oh and I'm up for any adventure! My Christmas schedule is Wednesday, Thursday, Friday I work until 5, but am off every other day and of course am free after 5. This is until Mid January.

[gauge_half_inch]

I'm currently short one rear spindle myself. I really don't have much free time over the holiday season. I can update my schedule after Christmas is over. Take a trip down to inspect/test drive and confirm you issues. Then if need be plan a time to get you to my shop. I'm kinda spoiled these days, air tools and lifts are wonderful.

[Spike]

I am unsure of my next week's schedule, but will be getting it tomorrow night.

If you do not have any time next week, I'm sure it can wait for a little bit.

I'll update as soon as I get my schedule.

Thank you all so much, for everything!!

~Spike

[WmWatt]

You can do rear bearings but fronts need a puller to separate the steering knuckle from the hub and a bunch of different tools. I've not done rear backing plates (spindles) but have replaced the brake line and emergency cable back there. The only annoying then would be bleeding the brake line after reconnecting. Brake bleeder nipples can get rusted on and mayb need heating with a propane torch. As for bearings here are photos showing what's involved incuding a complete rebuild of front junkyard wheels ...

http://www.photobucket.com/Festiva-frontwheel

http://www.photobucket.com/Festiva-backwheel

Good luck

[91mcnasty]

Dont you love the support this crowd offers? cause i know i do!!!! if you think your master cylinder is bad ill give you my stock festy one, its of no use to me. DONT GIVE UP ON THE CAR!!!!! once you get the little problems figured out you will be really glad you didnt! and if you need any other misc. items just shoot me a PM, if i have it ill most likely just give it to you.

[Spike]

Wow, WmMatt... that's.. wow. I'm not sure I've even seen something so informative and detailed. That's amazing!

91McNasty- Thank you so much for your offer.. with how many small things this ol' gal needs that I've had trouble locating, I'll likely be PMing you very soon. :p

And to update, here's my schedule for next week:

Tues, Wed, Thurs - 10-4
Fri - 4-9

I'll likely be called in or asked to stay late on two of those occasions.. but I'll make sure the rest of the week is 100% clear. Same for next week (most likely different schedule with more night shifts), will try to keep whatever is needed clear. Or if we planned a day, my manager is pretty lenient as of late, as long as I ask before next Wednesday (schedule posted on Thursdays).

I truly can't thank you all enough for everything!!

~Spike

[Charlie1717]

I think your best bet is to find out when Gauge is available. If you get it into his shop we can get alot more done (and in a much nicer climate :p). I'm fairly open for the next month so I have no issues. But I know gauge still has a lot going on. So I'd talk with him.

[Spike]

I sent Gauge a PM.

~Spike

[gauge_half_inch]

just an update...

We finally got this car going in the right direction. I would like to start by saying, there are some shady people calling themselves "mechanics" theses days. Poor Joe got taken for a large amount of money and all of it was to waste. Let's start with the issues (all currently repaired properly);
*The aftermarket wheels that had been installed were re-drilled to fit the Festiva bolt pattern and did not have tapperd seats, or the proper thickness to be installed.(too thick for the wheel bolt to grab proper threads) resulting in stripping the treads from the drums.
*The "master cylinder" leak he was told was actually both front calipers leaking fluid from the piston cups.
*The caliper slide pin boots were nonexistent on the drivers side, leaving the caliper to flop around.
*The loud roaring from the "trans side bearing" was actually the R/F hub bearing about to fall apart. No spacer shim, supprize supprize!
* The rear noise was caused by the L/R spindle nut not having enough preload caused by a cotter pin being drilled through on the incorrect place(had stake style hubs and nuts on) also packed with grease from a gun, used for chassis lubeing.

After rebuilding a pair of old knuckles I had laying around with new bearings, seals, rotors, nicer calipers with proper slide pins and boots, drilling out and pressing in wheel studs all around, repacking rear wheel bearings and installing some 87 323 13" steelies, our friend Joe is now safe and soundly driving his beloved Festiva again.
The moral of this story, be carefull who works on out little cars, they don't always know what there doing.

[zoom zoom]

Wow, man that is amazing, it was awesome of you to give him a hand with it! That's respect right there, you didn't have to do anything. I don't mean all "mechanics" but I was done wrong by a couple when I was still in school, and I could name a more than a handful of times when other people I know have been ripped off, which is why I hold a grudge against them in general and do all my own work..at least this way I don't have anyone to blame but myself, and it's cheaper. Grats on getting that beast rollin again! i hope it lasts you many years!

[gauge_half_inch]

As a career auto technician, it sickens me so much everytime I hear about this.

[Flyin4stroke]

^your the man for helping him out and getting him in the right direction.

[gauge_half_inch]

Just doing my part. This a great community, I'm glad to be apart of it.

[sc72]

gauge_half_inch

Dennis, it's a great community because of selfless members such as yourself, Congrats to Sike your car will last you a long time.

[Charlie1717]

Phew! Glad you got it safe for Joe. I saw it first hand and it was pretty scary. Joe is a very good guy and very deserving I'm glad he can finally drive his car safely! Good work Dennis!