Hey everyone! I have an ‘88 GT 5MT with a loose FR upper ball joint. Thing is, the previous owner installed tubular control arms, and I don’t know if I can press factory ball joints into them. Furthermore, the car in on aftermarket adjustable coil overs in the front, and the bushings are shot. I’ve tried searching the parts up but to no avail. I know it may be a long shot, but does anybody have any more information on these parts? These are the only pictures I have, but if need be I can get some more. Thanks!
It is probably a Held/Arraut tubular setup. Held sold to Arraut in 2011 and Arraut closed in 2018 or 2019.
I suspect the ball joints are stock 88 fiero, but it would be best to pull the suspension apart and verify. While the suspension is apart, you will likely need to measure the bushings and do some googling or call up prothane or energy suspension to find the right replacements.
BTW, You should never take your car back to the shop that put it on the lift. The two front pads on the lift are improperly located and bending up your floor boards.
[This message has been edited by fieroguru (edited 01-01-2021).]
BTW, You should never take your car back to the shop that put it on the lift. The two front pads on the lift are improperly located and bending up your floor boards.
I also noticed the coolant tubes. This makes me sad inside.
I also noticed the coolant tubes. This makes me sad inside.
Lol I actually lifted this myself, it was just for a quick inspection, brought ack down within a couple minutes. I was scared to bend the coolant tubes. The floor was already bent beforehand. What’s wrong with the coolant tubes? Also, is lifting it by the pinchwelds still standard procedure? My lift point guide doesn’t go back that far Still new to Fieros
Here are the dented/bent coolant pipes. They are restricting coolant flow and could lead to overheating issues. It is a shame they are bent, the underside of your 88 is very clean.
[This message has been edited by fieroguru (edited 01-02-2021).]
Thanks for the help everyone! Sorry I’m a bit embarrassed by that lift I’ll make sure I use the good ol frame next time. And yeah it’s super clean, especially for an Indiana car with 160k on the clock. Only your typical valve cover gasket seepage. From the picture, it almost looks as if something is welded to that coolant pipe where it looks bent. Is that the case or is it 100% bent? Thinking of 3800SC swapping it in the future so I’d like it to not overheat
I have the same setup on my 88, the ball joints are the OEM 88 Fiero ball joints upper and lower.
I have a spare set of lower bushings and they have 2621 molded in the end, probably an Energy Suspension part number. I would call them and if its not theirs then Prothane. The upper bushings probably have a number also, the number on mine is on the end without the flange.
Here are the dented/bent coolant pipes. They are restricting coolant flow and could lead to overheating issues. It is a shame they are bent, the underside of your 88 is very clean.
Those are not dents from lifting. Those are the drain plugs.
Still new to Fieros
