Front shock/strut spring---shock/spring combo?

[TominMO]

2001, and only the Rio strut. But with the skinny tires you have, I don't see any need for easier steering.

[Timothy]

I don't see any need for easier steering.

These guns be struggling though. [emoji23]



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[WmWatt]

Long time ago Bert posted that you need to add large washers to use Rio tops with Festiva struts.

[TominMO]

Long time ago Bert posted that you need to add large washers to use Rio tops with Festiva struts.

?? Where do you put the large washers? What function do they have?

[WmWatt]

Tom asks: "?? Where do you put the large washers? What function do they have?"
I would assume because the hole in the Rio top is larger than the one in the Festiva top?
Sorry, don't remember if he wrote why exactly, just something I remember from when I was investigating replacing my worn struts.
I have a pair of used Rio struts but as the work was done at a garagae didn't try using the Rio tops on the new Festiva struts.
Just rememberd Bert had the Aspire front suspension on his Festiva which may complicate things, Aspire struts different from Festiva struts?

[TominMO]

Bert's two threads on this:

1. http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...ht=front+strut

2. http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...ht=front+strut

Basically I'd say the simple thing to do is to just use 2001 Rio struts with 2001 Rio top hats. The Rio struts probably also have better damping. And use Festiva or Aspire front springs, unless you are going coilover.

[Shin Hayata]

You will notice that there is less room between the top of the tire top of the wheel well on the front of the car than the rear. I do not know if that is normal or not.

Is there any indication that a portion of the front tire (i.e., the new 155/80-12) is rubbing against any part of the suspension?

[Timothy]

No, not that I can tell.

I have noticed if I lean on the car for 4-5 seconds all of a sudden the strut gives out and the car lowers about an inch.

I'm hoping to work on this project in the week after Christmas, so it will be nice starting the work.

[Timothy]

Welcome to the Forum. You have come to the right place to learn about Festivas.

So far no one has mentioned the sway bar bushings. When they are badly worn you can experience symptoms similar to those you describe. A few questions.
How many miles on the car? Are the lower control arms original? Have you ever replace any of the sway bar bushings?
Is the loss of contact worse when you are turning?

Thanks man. It looks like you were on to something. Sorry it took me a whole month to look into your suggestions.


I am about to purchase all the parts to get my Festiva fixed up. I took a picture of the underside of my car and where the swaybar is attached. I've also labeled the photo with the parts that I know and the parts that I'm unsure of I put a question mark after. I know for sure the bushing at the end of the swaybar is bad because it is torn in half. If I want to replace that Bushing do I have to buy a whole new part (sway Bar link?) or can I buy that bushing alone. Also can you guys help confirm the parts I have labeled. Also the bushings that attach to the frame seem like they are in reasonable shape.

IMG_0222.jpg

[firebush357]

What you have labeled as a Sway Bar Link is actually a Lower Control Arm and if you order them on RockAuto they should come with new bushings, just check the pictures to make sure. They aren't very expensive, you might as well replace them so that you have a new fresh Ball Joint because if your bushing is ripped then your rubber seal around that ball joint is probably in no better shape.

[Timothy]

What you have labeled as a Sway Bar Link is actually a Lower Control Arm and if you order them on RockAuto they should come with new bushings, just check the pictures to make sure.

Awesome. Thanks for the help!

[ryanprins13]

What you have labeled as a Sway Bar Link is actually a Lower Control Arm and if you order them on RockAuto they should come with new bushings, just check the pictures to make sure. They aren't very expensive, you might as well replace them so that you have a new fresh Ball Joint because if your bushing is ripped then your rubber seal around that ball joint is probably in no better shape.

^+1 your balljoint looks like its about done. I got 2 new control arms off amazon real cheap but that was before i knew about rockauto.

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[ryanprins13]

Also what is typically referred to as swaybar bushings are the ones where the swaybar bolts to the lower rad support. There is 2 there, how do they look?

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[Timothy]

Also what is typically referred to as swaybar bushings are the ones where the swaybar bolts to the lower rad support. There is 2 there, how do they look?

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So I am looking for the control arm bushings. Yes?

They sway bar bushings look reasonable what do you think? I can't tell if the spilt in the bushing is supposed to be there or not.

IMG_0224.jpg

[ryanprins13]

That looks ok to me, so ya, its the control arms and the sway bar to control arm bushings you want.
On rockauto the second one on the list comes with those bushings. Should be like $40usd for both control arms and those bushings
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