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DIY REPAIR ADVICE FOR NEW FESTIVA

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  • DIY REPAIR ADVICE FOR NEW FESTIVA

    I just bought a '93 L 5 speed with only 99k miles, but I need to rebuild rear brakes, adjust parking brake, replace both cv axles, steering power arm, and all struts. If anyone has any advice on how to fix this stuff let me know. Mechanic said it would be over 3k to fix. Ain't happening. I waited two years to get this car and am stoked to be here. Can't wait to hear back from everyone!

  • #2
    $3,000?! AHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHAAAAAA... ha.

    Get a Festiva shop manual and a Haynes and get working on it. Full set of new rear brakes on Rockauto = $100. Adjust parking brake = free, cv axles = $100 both, steering power arm (guessing steering rack), $200 new. Struts like $150.

    That's a lot less than $3k, and no way it's $2k+ in labor. Tell that mechanic where to shove it.

    Also, welcome to the forum.

    -Joe

    Oh, and search is your friend. Almost anything you ever needed to know about Festivas is on here and has been asked a few hundred times. Also a lot of things you never needed to know! Take an hour or two and search around, you'll find any answer you need. Also, when searching for something specific, say control arms, make sure and search like this: "control arms", with the little "quotation" marks.. Otherwise you'll get a lot of useless stuff.
    Last edited by Spike; 04-05-2014, 11:09 PM.
    White '92 GL 5-speed BP, G series, Aspire/Rio swapped, "Nancy"
    White '89 LX 5-speed, Aspire swapped, Weber carb
    1988 LX 5-speed
    ​​​1993 L 5-speed B8, E series, Aspire/Rio swapped

    Gone:

    1986 Chevrolet Sprint 1990 L Plus Auto

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    • #3
      welcomsign
      That's very interesting. I also bought a '93 Festiva GL on eBay for $248. I spent about 3K in repairs!

      It already had the Aspire suspension conversion. Then I installed a rebuilt B6 engine block, twin carbs, A/C, power locks, power steering, power antenna, leather seats, cruise control, rebuilt CV shafts, brand new parking brake cable, rear spoiler, new black carpeting, lighted vanity visors, custom floormats, custom shift knob and power windows. That is what $3000 buys. That is why I am a member of ff.com. We stick together and help each other.
      Last edited by bravekozak; 04-06-2014, 06:11 AM.

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      • #4
        Welcome to the forum! Suggest you put your location in so we know whereabouts you are. Might be a member nearby who can help.

        And don't listen to these guys. You should only take your Festy to an Authorized Ford Repair Facility for all repairs, and spend whatever they tell you to.

        Not!

        Also not sure what you mean by "steering power arm". With that mileage you probably don't need the full rack, just outer (and possibly inner) tie rods. So here's how I would price this out, for parts. All prices approximate, in US dollars:
        Four struts = $200 (get the KYBs)
        Inner and outer tie rods, both sides = $150 (get Moog)
        LCA (lower control arm), both sides = $100 (important safety item, like tie rods; also Moog)
        Rear brakes, $50

        So far that's $500 into it. And I'm assuming the best-quality parts. Check out www.rockauto.com for ordering.
        Last edited by TominMO; 04-06-2014, 08:24 AM.
        90 Festy (Larry)--B6M (Matt D. modified B6 head), header, 5-speed, Capri XR2 front brakes, many other little mods
        09 Kia Rondo--a Festy on steroids!

        You can avoid reality, but you can't avoid the consequences of avoiding reality--Ayn Rand

        Disaster preparedness

        Tragedy and Hope.....Infowars.com.....The Drudge Report.....Founding Fathers.info

        Think for yourself.....question all authority.....re-evaluate everything you think you know. Red-pill yourself!

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by ewh898 View Post
          I just bought a '93 L 5 speed with only 99k miles, but I need to rebuild rear brakes, adjust parking brake, replace both cv axles, steering power arm, and all struts. If anyone has any advice on how to fix this stuff let me know. Mechanic said it would be over 3k to fix. Ain't happening. I waited two years to get this car and am stoked to be here. Can't wait to hear back from everyone!
          First Festy I bought (11 years ago) was for $50. The original owner had had a quote for $1500 for brakes/bearings/ball joints/muffler and shocks on a 10 year old 60,000 mile car. I got hold of the Haynes manual and devoted a month to repairing this stuff and was out on the road with it after investing $500. Parts ain't cheap in Canada. The reason you see fewer and fewer older cars on the road is that it is cheaper to buy a new car on a 5 payment plan and then immediately ditch the car than it is to get cumulative and rude surprises at around 60,000 miles. Labour rates (thanks to business/worker/liability insurance rates/taxes on labour etc etc) these days have gone through the roof.
          The stuff you need to tangle with is straightforward and and you can shop around for the parts. Be forewarned that some things are not so easy to come by anymore though. Through this site is a good time to search out 4Green in Korea.
          Good luck!

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          • #6
            It's the horizontal part with the rubber boot that is between the engine and firewall of cab.

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            • #7
              Labour costs in North Americxa are high. You can save money by learning to do things yourself, provided you have the time. For exmple I was quoted over $800 to replace the brake lines on my Festiva by two garages. Not knowing anything about it I looked up information and shpped around for parts and materials and working part time over 3 weeks did the job myself fro $83. You have to have tools, and some like a brake line fla ge maker, can be borrowed from some auto parts stores on their tool loan programs. If you start now you can accumulate tools on sale and at rummage and garage sales. When I do repairs I take photos and put them on Photobucket to share with people on this site. By helping ourselves we can get a lot done on our own. You'll also find members of this forum a good source for used parts, also junk yards. Good luck with your project.
              Original owner of silver grey carburetted 1989 Festiva. 105k km as of June 2006. 140k km as of June 2021.

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              • #8
                Biggest worry is rear brakes. All stopping power is in front and e brake doesn't do anything at all. Not sure where to start. Oh and I am in Greendale, WI.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by ewh898 View Post
                  It's the horizontal part with the rubber boot that is between the engine and firewall of cab.
                  OK, you mean the steering rack. The fact that he quoted you $3K means he knows you are a car-repair noob, and wanted to soak you for a whole new rack. I still say you just need tie rod ends, and possibly inner tie rods.

                  The repairs you have mentioned could all be done in one day by you and an experienced Festy guy to help/advise.
                  Last edited by TominMO; 04-06-2014, 10:34 AM.
                  90 Festy (Larry)--B6M (Matt D. modified B6 head), header, 5-speed, Capri XR2 front brakes, many other little mods
                  09 Kia Rondo--a Festy on steroids!

                  You can avoid reality, but you can't avoid the consequences of avoiding reality--Ayn Rand

                  Disaster preparedness

                  Tragedy and Hope.....Infowars.com.....The Drudge Report.....Founding Fathers.info

                  Think for yourself.....question all authority.....re-evaluate everything you think you know. Red-pill yourself!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Welcome!

                    The first thing you need to buy are either a Ford shop manual or the Haynes manual for Festiva/Aspire.

                    Both would be better.

                    Then you'll need tools. Most work can be done with a set of basic hand tools. You'll then buy any specialized tools as you get things done (as you need them). Some tools can be borrowed from auto parts places, as noted. Advice and encouragement can be found here.

                    I'd suggest starting not with the worst thing, but the easiest thing, in order to build your confidence. Do a couple of the easier things and then tackle the most needed thing.

                    I just hope you have another car to drive in the meantime. That helps quite a bit!

                    Karl
                    '93GL "Prettystiva" ticking B3 and 5 speed, backup DD; full swaps in spring!
                    '91L "AquaMutt" my '91L; B6 swap/5 speed & Aspire brakes, DD/work car
                    '92L "Twinstiva" 5sp, salvage titled, waiting for repairs...
                    '93GL "Luxstiva," '94 B6 engine & ATX; needs overhauled
                    '89L "Muttstiva," now a storage bin, future trailer project

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                    • #11
                      Where is Greendale? I'm up by green bay, glad to help if needed.

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                      • #12
                        I know this may sound silly, and my questions have probably been asked many o'time, but I am researching parts on mypartsgarage.com and found self adjusters for the rear brakes. I am hoping to replace as much junk back there as possible since I have no brakes whatsoever in the rear. Just free spin. I noticed people said self adjusters were hard to find. Here is the link: http://www.mypartsgarage.com/brakes.html?auto_type=5610 in case anyone could recommend a brand or what to look for. Also, what are good brands for drums, shoes, wheel cylinders...etc. Any feedback will be appreciated. Also, do the metal brake lines rust through often on the festivas, or do they just have surface rust. Wondering about replacing brake lines. I see no leaks, but lots of rust. Should I just hit with wire brush???

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                        • #13
                          That looks nothing like what's on mine.
                          Do you have a repair manual for your Festiva? Those help a lot.
                          Also, if you are not familiar with a Festiva rear axle, the right rear axle nut has REVERSE threads.
                          Be careful with the right rear as the axles are no longer available new.

                          And WELCOME to the MADNESS!!
                          Last edited by Team Lightning; 04-09-2014, 12:01 AM.
                          Jerry
                          Team Lightning



                          Owner of Team Lightning
                          90 L "Peewee" B6D. Bought new May 16,1990
                          92 L Thunder BP G5M-R Turbo B6T electronics. Jan 2016 FOTM winner SOLD
                          93 L Lightning. BP



                          Not a user of drugs or alcohol, Just addicted to Festiva's

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                          • #14
                            The brake adjusters are easily fixed! (I cant believe it hasn't been mentioned already)
                            Take the adjusters out and literally beat them with a hammer! LOL

                            Just kidding .... somewhat! The adjusters get frozen up with rust, dirt. Spray liberally with PB Blaster and let it soak in a few minuet. Take a hammer and tap around on the adjusters until they free up. The rivets that hold the pcs together need freed up. Kinda wanna spread the head of the rivet a little til they move. Then grease the heck out of 'em and spin and tap with the hammer until they really free up and move easily. Done! Put 'em back on!
                            Dan




                            Red 1988 Festiva L - CUJO

                            Black 1992 Festiva GL Sport - BLACK MAGIC

                            I'm just...a little slow... sometimes:withstupid:

                            R.I.P.
                            Blue 1972 Chevelle SS-468 C.I.D. B'nM TH400-4:56 posi-Black racing stripes-Black vinyl top-Black int.
                            Black on black 1976 Camaro LT-350 4 bolt main .060 over
                            Silver 1988 Festiva L

                            My Music!
                            http://www.reverbnation.com/main/sea...t_songs/266647

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                            • #15
                              I only have the Haynes, and I don't feel like it is very helpful. What is this Ford shop manual that everyone talks about.

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