Rear cradle assembly - Stupid Questions (Page 2/3)
ZaraSpOOk NOV 13, 05:38 PM
you do not need a cherry picker or similar, simply put an 8' 4x4 just slightly behind the jacking point on the car, place a hockey puck ($1) between the frame and 4x4
now use a floor jack under the ends of the 4x4 sticking out from the sides of the car, you will have about 18" outside the car, jack up each side
I place 3' 2x6's (flat side) under the 4x4, eventually using jack stands as double safety, the car will need to sit on 9 of these 2x6's on each side to allow you to take the cradle out the passenger side
I've done this twice now
this can even be done with only one jack if you go from side to side only placing one 2x6 each side as you go
Todd's directions are excellent and make it easy
buy 2, or better yet 4 dolly's from Harbor Freight as your support for the cradle
I can uplaod pics of the dolly assembly (cost about $40) and my car in the air if you ask
Thunderstruck GT NOV 14, 11:34 AM
Thanks for all the replies. They're all helpful.

My end game is to be able to have a rolling assembly. I "plan" on dropping the cradle assembly while the car is on the trailer so that once it's out I can run the remainder of the car to the scrap yard.
qwikgta NOV 14, 05:52 PM

quote
Originally posted by Thunderstruck GT:

I recall back then on the GM front wheel drive vehicles, dealers would drop the complete cradle assembly with complete drivetrain assembly attached. I don't recall them doing this to the Fiero.

My questions are....

Can this procedure be done on a Fiero?

Can it be done on the ground (without a lift)?

If anyone here has done this, how did you lift the car high enough to get the assembly out?

Anyone have photos of the car supported in the air?

All this will be done on a 1988 with a V-6

Thanks in advance




You have over 2600 posts, and have been here for over 5 years and you are really asking these questions?
Dennis LaGrua NOV 14, 07:02 PM
Here is how we do it. A 2 post Rotary Lift and a 1000 lb hydraulic lift table

For a long time car enthusiast it doesn't get much easier than this. If you can afford it, the investment in a lift makes repair work so much easier.

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 11-14-2020).]

Notorio NOV 15, 12:35 PM

quote
Originally posted by ZaraSpOOk:
....

I can uplaod pics of the dolly assembly (cost about $40) and my car in the air if you ask



I'm curious to see what you have done, even though it might not apply to the current removal situation ...
Thunderstruck GT NOV 15, 03:08 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

Here is how we do it. A 2 post Rotary Lift and a 1000 lb hydraulic lift table

For a long time car enthusiast it doesn't get much easier than this. If you can afford it, the investment in a lift makes repair work so much easier.




My shop has too many cars in it therefore there is no room for a 2 post.

Besides..... I'm not rich like you.
eti engineer NOV 15, 06:12 PM


This is a cradle I built using information from the Toddster who posted in here. I have found this cradle and a cherry picker to be the best combination. Using this, I was able to pull the cradle intact and then with the aid of a cherry picker, separate the engine to put it on an engine stand and I left the transmission on the cradle I built. Works great!!! Thanks, Todd
eti engineer NOV 15, 06:25 PM


picture of the tranny on the wooden cradle
eti engineer NOV 15, 06:27 PM


Engine on hoist, ready to put on the floor or on an engine stand to free up hoist for other things. This has worked very well for me, but to each his own.
Thunderstruck GT NOV 15, 07:00 PM

quote
Originally posted by eti engineer:



This is a cradle I built using information from the Toddster who posted in here. I have found this cradle and a cherry picker to be the best combination. Using this, I was able to pull the cradle intact and then with the aid of a cherry picker, separate the engine to put it on an engine stand and I left the transmission on the cradle I built. Works great!!! Thanks, Todd



As mentioned...….


quote
Originally posted by Thunderstruck GT:

My end game is to be able to have a rolling assembly..