If you've got rotten upper frame rails, most common spot for rust, you really should fix them. If the rust on a Fiero is not tended to a.s.a.p it will go downhill from there. If the upper frame rails on a Fiero are rusted away and you intend to put any high power motor in the car...most of the weight will be placed the rear clip...ones that gives way your Fiero MAY snap in 1/2 (extreme situation). A strong frame is the 1st step to a good car. To check if your rails are gone go to the rear end of your Fiero and put your hand up along the springs...once you pass the wheel well lining feel the area towards you...if you feel nothing...you don't have rails...if you feel something with holes in it....you barley have rails.
BASIC Materials Needed For this process ~Rotary Grinding Tool with Cutting Blades ~2-4 Jack Stands ~Car Jack ~Mig Welder ~8 - 10 Feet of 2 x 2 iron bars (hollow of course)
Heres is how to rebuild the rails.
A) Remove Rear Clip and Quarter Panel
- Once the clip is off you can see the rails and just how badly rusted they are.
B) Relieve some Pressure from the tires by placing 2 jack stands as close to the firewall as possible
- You need to be safe and take some pressure off of the tires and rails by lifting the car up slightly...Not anymore then a foot...Use the pictures above as examples.
C) With grinding tool shave off rails leaving 1 - 2 inches at the firewall. In order for you to weld new rails on you'll need a bit of rail left.
D) Shape and Measure new metal to the shape and curve of the origional rails (eyeball it...as long as it has somewhere on the frame to weld on to STURDILY.
- To do this you'll have to cut the metal, on an angle, in at least 2 places.
E) Weld each (pre measured and cut) piece of iron on, starting at the firewall and working all the way to the rear
- Remember that the rails have to end somewhere. The rails can be welded to the rear ligh assembly area (can't remember specific name)...look at where this rail was ended off at and use that an a guide
Repeat this step for both sides.
When you're done it should look like this
Remember that this job is not to be done 1/2 a$$ed...It’s very important part of the car and it's usually the 1st part to rust.
Treat the new rails with "Rust Check" (a sealant) before you rust-proof paint them. While you're doing this take off all that nasty sheet metal around the gas tank area...if you ever plan to add scoops to the side of your car you can actually make them FUNCTIONAL if you clear all that sheet metal away....it's useless and should go.
The final product should look like this...
&
This should only take a day or so to do and I do not suggest doing it yourself if you have no metal / welding skills. Asides from that it's pretty straight forward and VERY important to all of you who have beefy V8’s.... etc.
Anyway...Thanks a lot for reading along
Good Luck and Best wishes
Steve-0
EDIT: to fix a broken link ------------------
[This message has been edited by stevenrossi (edited 03-01-2003).]
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01:54 PM
lurker Member
Posts: 12355 From: salisbury nc usa Registered: Feb 2002
No Problemo guys. Just wanted to make sure everyone knew how to fix this pleague with fieros...expecially daily drivers in the northern part of North America. IF anyone has anything that needs to be cleared up let me know!
Thanks for the positive feedback guys!
Steve-0
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05:33 PM
Makinmycar Member
Posts: 23 From: Vicksburg, MS, USA Registered: Feb 2003
Yes, excellent thread. Thanks for the info, Steve. Unfortunately, I think mine is beyond that.
I took off the rest of my rear body today and let's just say........not good. My lower frame rails look worse than Steve's uppers. I can't believe they are supporting the engine and tranny. Here is where I cut my losses. I'm keeping the engine/tranny for rebuild and scrapping the rest. Anybody need anything off an '86 SE? Anybody got a Fiero for sale? I laugh to keep from crying.
Although I support what you want to do i think that a salvaged Fiero is more useful then a parts car. Nothing beats being able to tell a salvage story. If you can get a welder and hold on untill spring. You can make that baby better then when it was driven out of the factory...Drop the cradel and get some metal and start measurin' because i'd think that a rusted rail is less of a reason to part a Fiero then a poped fuse. Fix it and i'm sure many people will help. Take pics and we'll figure something out for you...just don't part it out...keep her!
Good Luck *gatta love 87SE's*
Steve-0
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06:19 PM
Makinmycar Member
Posts: 23 From: Vicksburg, MS, USA Registered: Feb 2003
Yeah, I sure hate to sent one to it's grave. At this point I guess I have nothing to lose by trying. The trick will be getting the cradle off without destroying the lower rails. I'll give it the old college try. Fieros are rare as hen's teeth down here in Mississloppy so I shudder at the thought of having to look for another one. However, if something cool pops up, I'll be forced to drop this rusty be-otch like a hot 'tater.
As long as you guys are offering advice and instruction, I'm taking. Thanks.
Get some pics of the damaged parts...make some measurements...etc. Find out what needs to be operated on and maybe someone close to you fromt he Forum will give a hand. Start ur own thread and i'm sure you can bring her back from the dead. Just don't part a good 87SE out...thats insane to think about!
Thank you for posting this steve. Im looking at the same thing right now.I got a quote from a welder and he wants $800 to do what you did. Any welders in the New Hampshire area want to make some $$$.
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08:09 PM
skitime Member
Posts: 5765 From: Akron, PA, USA Registered: Aug 2000
You guys must really love your cars. It must be a hobby for you, but in a practical since, you can pick up a fiero for about $1,500 running, when you count on the work that you have to do and the time that it will take you add to that the cost of parts and labor. I would suggest keep the bad fiero for parts and get another one take parts as you need and then to the salvage yard. My point is not to tick anyone off, just practical. Please don't take this as a flame.
Very cooooool! I never thought of stainless steel replacement parts...I guess it's just expensive. Maybe next time I do anything with regards to the frame i'll do it with stainless steel. Good Call
quote
Originally posted by Santa Cruzer:
Nice steve! My dad had stainless steel rails made for my fiero no need for Rust Check anymore
Great post steven!! Good to see some of us Canadians taking a greater interest in our Fieros. By the way Steven where do you buy some of your parts like poly bushings, high flow muffler, shocks, springs etc.... I've ordered a few things from US but man after exchange/shipping/taxes/duty its a real killer. Thanks for any info.. JT
------------------ JTFierolovin every minute of it!
Theres a few good places but their prices won't be much of an improvement. I, personally, buy all of my stuff from The Fiero Store...Good service and prices.
