Four months of fun, this might be the end.

[Spike]

A few of you might remember me from my few novice posts trying to resurrect a 1990 L-Plus Auto.

Since I've started, I've done the following:

Replaced tank with used
Cap, rotor, plug, wires
Wheel bearings x 2 (front-right twice now.. more on this later)
Both rear hubs
Oil change, half of a tune-up
New tires
$439.39 front end work, including:
Both ball joints
Tie rod ends
FR CV axle
somethings else I just don't remember
New o2 sensor

Now after all this, plus $250 for the car and about $1300 invested so far..

Heard a droning noise once again, took to our mechanic..

Back-left wheel bearing scored nearly away (can't torque properly because someone put in a cotter pin [or whatever the 93s had on them, I can't remember the exact terminology] at some point, at an odd angle), front-right drones at transmission side, to what he can tell (without taking the whole side apart again).

One of the rear hubs is already stripped again, needs a front-right.

What do I do now?

I know this is probably in the wrong section, but I wasn't sure where to put it.

I'm out of money, working minimum-wage, trying to keep our heads above water.

He says sell it and find something else. The problem is, I truly don't want to sell it, and don't know if I could get the money I've put into it back out of it. It rides nicely down the road, aside from the noise.. has brake issues I was planning on fixing later (master cyl.), and I just plain love the car.

What do I do?

~Spike

[Charlie1717]

If you need brake parts FMS is having a sale!

http://www.festivamotorsport.com/

I'm sure someone else will be able to help you out with your bearing issue

[Spike]

That's a darn good deal on the Master..

~Spike

[geezerstiva]

Drive it till it falls down in the road or you have enough money to fix it again. It may be a long time before it dies on you.

[Movin]

The rear bearings are separate parts and should have a retainer nut that is staked with a round edge chisel. There are procedures to follow to adjust this retainer nut properly.The front bearings are a little different, the retainer nut is on the end of the cv and is torqued to 145 ft lbs and staked...BUT there is a little precision spacer between the bearings that adjusts them..another procedure. Someone familiar with these cars needs to do this, not just the cheapest mechanic out there. These are really good cars but not if your mechanic fixes them like any other import. They can be one of the most cost effective cars available!

[GenevaDirt]

droning noise is probably the wheel bearing. Are you doing them yourself or is someone else doing them? Did the spacers get reused that were in there? replace the rear spindle with a good one....if you don't care I don't think it matters if it is for that side or not. You will just have to remember how it is for nut removal in the future. Use a stake nut instead of the castle nut on the rear and tighten properly then stake it down. As far as the front bearings go....sometimes it is just easier to replace the hub with a known good one.

There are bunch of people in your state....maybe someone can lend a hand in fixing the vehicle properly.

[georgeb]

Get a junkyard front hub and rear spindle. Send the old ones to a knowledgeable site member for rebuilding.

[Spike]

The mechanic we use has worked on several of these in the past, and has kept them running well, to what I know.

I'm not doing them myself as I don't have a garage, necessary tools, ect.

Plus, I have nearly zilch in mechanical experience. The only Festivas I can find locally are at Auto Heaven in Bloomington, and these people.. they treat their parts like gold. When I wanted those original rear hubs, they wanted $75/ea, and I ended up getting them from the Festiva in PullaPart Indy at $20 for the pair (which is now crushed, or so their website leads me to believe), and that has been the only fair deal I've found on parts since..

I'm just at wit's end lately..

I swear, for 6 years in a row.. things always happen around two central points:

Birthdays (June)
Christmas

It's just been a constant thing. I'd laugh about it if I could.

~Spike

[Charlie1717]

I'd be happy to help out. I've got tools and space and am pretty close.
There is a festiva in the louisville pull a part (about the same distance away as indy). I believe it had the suspension components (not 100% I just checked for the quick goodies) But the engine was gone and I can't remember what was still there.

Anyway, I'd be happy to help out if need be!

[GenevaDirt]

Awesome Charlie.....there you go....help is just an asking distance away.

[gauge_half_inch]

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.

[GenevaDirt]

yup.....knew you were in the right place for help...lol

[Spike]

I thank you so much for your offer, Charlie. If I find enough for the parts later down the road, and can get them, may I contact you on here?

As to Louisville, 2hr 28min away, approx 112mi.

I guess it's not too much further, really.

If I were to go out there, and was lucky enough for it to have what I needed..

How does one remove a spindle?

~Spike

[FestYboy]

4 nuts on the back of the backing plate (14mm).

[Spike]

Thank you both for your offers of assistance!

My mom grew up in Greenwood, and that's not too far away for us. Could you hold the hubs for me? I believe the car can make it, but my mechanic has warned me just tonight about the safety of driving it. I've driven it about 3000 miles since the rear hubs were replaced, and haven't had any MAJOR trouble. Personally, I believe it would make it just fine..

How would we go about coordinating our 'adventure'?

~Spike