CV joints...any suggestions?

[geezerstiva]

Hi guys. ok, i have a 1988 ford festiva L with the 4 spd tranny. i just ordered new cv joints and halfshafts yesterday. i have the ford shop manual with instructions, but just thought i'd ask if y'all had any suggestions. btw, i'm new if you couldn't tell.

[mechanicaldj]

it would have been cheaper and easier to have bought rebuilt CV shafts (complete) and a lot less hassle

and plus have a warranty to boot

[Tim]

I think you may have the record for the highest mileage Festiva... :shock:

[gdawgs]

Yep, I agree with mechanicaldj. See if you can take your parts back and get re-manufactured shafts(about $60 each). It will take you much less time and they'll probably last longer.

[geezerstiva]

I did buy rebuilt ones. they were $62.50 apeice. sorry i didn't specify. i should be getting them in today.

[mechanicaldj]

get a good and long pry bar with a flat tip
to pry out the CV axles of the transmission
and make sure you have a catch pan for the transmission fluid
and at least 2.6 quarts of transmission fluid

[FestivaLAqua]

I'm another amateur who replaced the axles in my 92 Festiva L last fall. I agree with mechanicaldj.

Also, there is another hammer type tool that might help getting the shafts out of the transmission. It is similar to the tools that are used for body work.

And, the original stake nuts on the hubs of my 92 were 1 1/8" socket size. However, the stake nuts on the rebuilt shafts were 29mm. I recommend that you check the new stake nuts and make sure that you have right size sockets to remove and replace them. It also might not be a bad idea to make sure you have a couple of extra stake nuts just in case you need to redo something.

Good luck & hang in there! Once you have the old shafts out of the transmission, it's down hill from there.

[freshtiva]

I think you may have the record for the highest mileage Festiva... :shock:

Did you see this post in march, 347,000 miles

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5037

[gdawgs]

There was a post a while back about a guy in California who had well over 600,000 miles on his. Original engine and tranny with no major overhaul work done. My first one also has well over 300,000 miles on it, although I no longer own it.

[geezerstiva]

I heard about a guy who had 500,000 on his and was still driving it. thanks for the suggestions. I'm planning on changing them on friday. btw, how much gear oil does the transmission hold? and where do you fill it?

[freshtiva]

2.6 quarts in my 5 speed. You have to pour it down the hole where the speedometer cable is. You will also find your dipstick there. You probably wont check level often though once you mess with the cable.

[getnhi1]

Also, there is another hammer type tool that might help getting the shafts out of the transmission. It is similar to the tools that are used for body work.

Where can you get something like that?

[mechanicaldj]

Also, there is another hammer type tool that might help getting the shafts out of the transmission. It is similar to the tools that are used for body work.

Where can you get something like that?

it is called a slide hammer

[geezerstiva]

do you have to take the instrument panel off to get to that speedometer cable? i'm guessing you do, but thats a hassle on the 88. on it you have to pull off the steering wheel and all of that stuff. i looked at a 90 and it looks like you could just pull off the black thing over the clear plastic without taking the steering wheel off.

[FestivaLAqua]

do you have to take the instrument panel off to get to that speedometer cable? i'm guessing you do, but thats a hassle on the 88. on it you have to pull off the steering wheel and all of that stuff. i looked at a 90 and it looks like you could just pull off the black thing over the clear plastic without taking the steering wheel off.

Freshtiva was referring to the transmission end of the speedometer cable which is on the rear of the engine below where the heater outlet hose connects to the engine. So, you do not need to do anything on the instrument panel end of the speedometer cable. You can access this area under the hood or from below the engine. You will need a good adjustable wrench for the speedo cable boot and a 10 mm socket for the gear sleeve attaching bolt to remove the speedometer gear sleeve. The procedure for checking (and refilling) the transmission fluid is on Page 00-03-6 in the Lubrication and Maintenance section of my 92 Ford Manual.