1991 FORD FESTIVA strut

Fig. 3: Exploded View of Strut Assembly (Typical)

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Inspection
Check jounce bumper, spring seat insulator and strut rod bushings for wear or damage. Ensure strut is not leaking.
Installation
1. Slide jounce bumper and shield onto strut rod and cylinder. Install bumper seat and lower bushing on strut rod. If upper spring seat
insulator has been replaced, install new insulator on spring upper end. Seat end of coil against step in insulator.
2. Place spring on strut. Ensure end of coil seats against step in strut spring seat. Install strut assembly into tower from wheelwell. Guide
strut rod into tower mounting hole.
3. Line up strut lower end with mounting hole in wheel support arm. Install mounting bolt to hold strut in position. Working from in sid e
cargo compartment, install rod upper end bushing, bushing washer and flanged nut. Tighten nut to 12-18 ft. lbs. (16-24 N.m). See Fig.
4 . Hold flanged nut while tightening jam nut to lock it in position.
4. Tighten strut lower mounting bolt to 40-50 ft. lbs. (54-68 N.m). Remove spring compressor. Install wheel and tire assembly.
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Fig. 4: Installing Strut Flanged Nut

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
TORSION BEAM
Removal (Festiva)
1. Raise and support vehicle so rear struts are fully extended. Remove both wheels. Remove struts and disconnect brake lines as previously
described.
2. Disconnect parking brake cable clevises at brake backing plates. Remove parking brake equalizer and cables from torsion beam. Remove
4 nuts from back of each brake assembly to release backing plates and wheel spindle supports.
3. Remove torsion beam pivot bolts from body brackets. See Fig. 5
. Do not loosen or remove torsion beam body brackets if they are not
to be replaced. Remove torsion beam.

Fig. 5: Removing Torsion Beam Pivot Bolt

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Installation
1. If removed, install torsion beam pivot brackets. Do not tighten mounting bolts at this time. If a new torsion beam is to be installed,
install new pivot bushings in beam arms. See TORSION BEAM BUSHINGS.
2. Install bushing flange washers and position beam arms in body brackets. Align pivot bolt holes and install bolts. Do not tighten nuts at
this time. Install brake backing plates and wheel spindle support assemblies. Tighten nuts to 32-45 ft. lbs. (43-61 N.m).
3. Install parking brake equalizer assembly on torsion beam. Install cable clevises to brake levers with clevis pins and cotter pins. Clip right
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and left brake lines in place. Install rear suspension struts and wheels. Block wheels and lower vehicle to load suspension to normal ride
height. Tighten torsion beam pivot bolts at body brackets to 69-87 ft. lbs. (93-118 N.m).
4. Check rear suspension alignment. Place an alignment mark at the center of the underbody, at a point of equal distance from the right and
left body bracket inboard mounting bolts. From this alignment mark, measure distance to centers of right and left strut lower mounting
bolts.
5. Both measurements must be within .20" (5 mm) of being the same. If not, shift torsion beam body brackets from side-to-side to center
suspension. Once centered, tighten upper body bracket mounting bolts to 40-50 ft. lbs. (54-68 N.m) and lower bolt to 69-87 ft. lbs. (93-
118 N.m). Bleed brakes.
TORSION BEAM BUSHINGS
Removal
1. Raise and support vehicle to fully extended rear struts. Remove wheels. Remove retaining clip at right brake line routing bracket and
disconnect brake line. Remove clip from left brake line and disconnect at body crossmember.
2. Remove torsion beam pivot bolt bolts and nuts at right and left body brackets. Swing torsion beam trailing arm downward to clear body
brackets.
3. Using piece of wood, block beam in disengaged position. Using Bushing Remover/Replacer (D80L-1002-L), remove bushings from
inboard side of torsion beam arm. See Fig. 6
.

Fig. 6: Removing Torsion Beam Bushing

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Installation
1. Place bushings on outboard sides of torsion beam arms with marks "F" and "R" aligned parallel to arm axis. To ease installation,
lubricate bushings with soapy water. Press in bushings using bushing remover/installer.
2. Remove wood block holding torsion beam out of body pivot brackets. Place bushing flange washers on outboard faces of bushings.
Raise torsion beam arms into brackets until pivot bolt holes align.
3. Install pivot bolts through brackets from inboard side but do not tighten nuts at this time. Connect brake lines at routing brackets.
Reinstall brake line retaining clips. Reinstall wheels. Lower vehicle and block wheels. Jounce vehicle until suspension is fully loaded in
its normal riding position. Tighten torsion beam pivot bolt nuts to 69-87 ft. lbs. (93-118 N.m). Bleed brakes.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
NOTE:Bushings have "F" (front) and "R" (rear) stam ped on bushing face. Ensure these m arks are right side
up when "F" is toward front of vehicle.
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Capri
Control Arm Bolt-To-Spindle45-55 (61-75)
Inner Control Arm Bolts69-86 (93-117)
Rear Hub Lock Nut18-21 (25-29)
Rear Stabilizer Bracket32-39 (43-55)
Spindle-To-Strut Bolts69-86 (93-117)
Strut Rod Upper Flanged Nut40-50 (54-68)
Strut-To-Strut Tower17-22 (23-29)
Wheel Bearing Lock Nut18-21 (25-29)
Wheel Lug Nuts67-88 (90-120)
Festiva
Brake Backing Plate Spindle Support Bolts32-45 (43-61)
Lower Body Bracket Mounting Bolts69-87 (93-118)
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Rear Hub Lock Nut18-21 (25-29)
Spindle Attaching Nuts31-45 (43-61)
Strut Lower Mounting Bolt40-50 (54-68)
Strut Rod Upper Flanged Nut12-18 (16-25)
Torsion Beam Pivot Bolts69-87 (93-118)
Upper Body Bracket Mounting Bolts40-50 (54-68)
Wheel Lug Nuts67-88 (90-120)
Copyr ight 2009 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Article GUID: A00121555
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WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICAT IONS & PROCEDURES
1991-92 WHEEL ALIGNMENT Ford Motor Co. - Specifications & Procedures
ADJUSTMENTS
CASTER
Caster is permanently set at factory and is not adjustable. Caster should be checked however as a possible cause of suspension complaint.
CAMBER
To adjust camber on Festiva, see Fig. 1
. Camber adjustment on Capri is similar. Instead of 2 strut mount studs, Capri has 4 studs.

Fig. 1: Adjusting Front Camber

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
FRONT TOE-IN NOTE:Before adjusting alignm ent, check riding height. Riding height m ust be checked with vehicle on level
floor and tires properly inflated. Bounce vehicle several tim es and allow suspension to settle.
NOTE:See Fig. 2 for toe-in adjustm ent procedures.
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TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (CAPRI)
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (FESTIVA)
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Strut Upper Mounting Nuts17-21 (23-29)
Tie Rod Jamb Nut
Front26-30 (35-40)
Rear41-47 (55-64)
Wheel Lug Nuts66-87 (89-118)
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Strut Upper Mounting Nuts32-45 (43-61)
Tie Rod Jamb Nut22-37 (30-50)
Wheel Lug Nuts66-87 (89-118)
Copyr ight 2009 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Article GUID: A00054866
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1988-94 AUT OMAT IC T RANSMISSIONS
Ford ATX Overhaul
APPLICATION
APPLICATION
DESCRIPTION
The transaxle consists of 3 main units: automatic transaxle, torque converter and differential assembly. The automatic transaxle consists of
front and rear clutches, one-way clutch, low-reverse brake assembly, oil pump and hydraulic controls (valve body and servo piston
assemblies). The valve body is controlled by the governor valve, vacuum throttle valve diaphragm (modulator) and kickdown solenoid. The
torque converter on the Aspire model is a mechanically operated (centrifugal type) torque converter clutch. See Fig. 1
.

Fig. 1: Transaxle Component Identification

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
LUBRICATION & ADJUSTMENTS
See the appropriate TRANSMISSION SERVICING - A/T article in this section. Refer to the following menu:
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
BAND APPLY SERVO R & I
Removal
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove left front wheel. Drain transaxle fluid. Remove valve body. See VALVE BODY . Remove front
stabilizer frame brackets. Carefully raise staked portion of left axle nut. Apply brakes and loosen, but DO NOT remove, axle nut.
Remove left lower control arm ball joint clamp bolt. Pry downward on lower control arm to separate control arm from knuckle.
2. Insert pry bar between transaxle case and left axle flange. Carefully apply force to pry bar until axle circlip is disengaged. Slide knuckle
assembly off axle shaft, and remove axle from vehicle. Quickly install appropriate plug in transaxle.
3. Loosen band adjusting stop and band adjusting stop nut. Remove band strut. Using "C" clamp and socket, compress servo piston into
transaxle case. See Fig. 2
. Remove snap ring. Remove servo retainer, servo piston and spring.
Installation
1. Lubricate servo piston with ATF. Assembly servo retainer, piston, piston large seal and spring. Insert assembly into transaxle. Usin g "C"
clamp and socket, compress assembly and install snap ring. See Fig. 2
. Install band strut to intermediate band. Install band adjusting
stop to band and tighten to 9-10 ft. lbs. (12-15 N.m). Loosen adjusting stop 3 turns. Install and tighten band adjusting stop nut. See
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
2. Install remaining components in reverse order of disassembly. Fill transaxle with fluid.
ApplicationTransmission
1988-89 Mercury TracerATX
1988-93 Ford FestivaATX
1994 Ford AspireATX
NOTE:T he AT X transaxle is used in som e Mazda m odels and is referred to as the F3A for those m odels. T he
AT X transaxle is also used in som e General Motors and Isuzu m odels and m ay be referred to as the
KF100, KF400 or RMC. Som e of the figures used in this article are courtesy of General Motors Corp. and
are valid figures for this Ford Motor Co. transaxle.
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sun shell slots. Record measurement for reassembly reference. End play should be .020-.031" (.5-8 mm).

Fig. 7: Measuring Front Drum End Play

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
4. Remove oil pump. If oil pump is difficult to remove, tighten band adjusting stop bolt 106-133 INCH lbs. (12-15 N.m) and then remove
oil pump. Remove brake band adjustment stop bolt, lock nut, band strut and band. See Fig. 8
. Store band partially closed with a piece
of wire.
5. Remove front clutch assembly. Remove rear clutch needle bearing and rear clutch drum. Remove front ring gear. Remove needle bearing
and rear clutch hub assembly. Remove thrust bearing and sun gear spacer from front planetary gear. Remove planetary gear carrier.

Fig. 8: Exploded View Of Transaxle Housing & Primary Components

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
6. Remove the sun gear, spacer and connecting sun shell. See Fig. 8
. Using "C" clamp and socket, compress servo piston with and remove
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