Top 10 Worst Fiero Repairs (Page 1/4)
reinhart MAY 15, 06:11 AM
I was thinking about this when I was replacing my front exhaust manifold that I don't think I've seen anyone ever compiled a list of worst repair jobs on a stock V6 Fiero so I thought I'd do it.

My criteria: Must be a common replacement item. Doesn't include pant/body work. Doesn't include something catastrophic like rebuilding engine or transmission.

Less Worse
11) Distributor rebuild
10) Alternator (especially automatic transmission)
9) Rear brakes with e-brake caliper rebuild
8) Outer Dew Wipes
7) Fuel Pump
6) Steering rack rebuild
5) Torsion bar replacement
4) Water pump
3) Rubber to Poly Suspension rebuild
2) Front Exhaust Manifold
1) Clutch
Worst
skywurz MAY 15, 10:19 AM
Most of my experience is with the duke. Ive done the clutch twice inside the car and the rear main. Id rank rear main seal worse. On the v6 you have that rear cam seal that is almost just as bad as a rear main. The oil pan is pretty awful. The valve cover gaskets on the V6 is not fun. I don't remember Poly being bad except i bent my rear control arm and had to swap to tubular as a replacement. I have 2 cars that need poly so we will see. Also 88 vs pre 88 poly will be different.

Just some things for the list
Dennis LaGrua MAY 15, 10:29 AM
One of the worse jobs that I ever did on my Fiero was the replacement of the window motor and side window glass. You've got to strip the door to the bone just to get in there. Dew wipes can be a PITA but doable. One of the most tedious jobs was stripping down the steering column to get at the 4 bolts that hold the tilt mechanism in place. The water pump can be a pain to replace as corroded bolts break. Clutches and transmissions require a lot of work to replace but none of the steps are usually hard, save for the rear cradle bolts on occasion.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

skywurz MAY 15, 10:50 AM
Oh side glass is a good one... What about back glass ive never installed one but removing them has not been fun.
cebix MAY 15, 11:31 AM
85 duke auto w/ AC. Owned 10 years as of this month. Driven maybe 20 000 miles during this time.

Diagnosing and replacing the fuel pump. Not enough fuel pressure due to leaking hose inside the tank.

Diagnosing and fixing an overheating issue and hot and cold start misfire - leaking intake manifold gasket causing cylinder nr 4 drinking just a bit of that coolant.

Fixing valve and pushrod cover gasket oil leaks. That is impossible, the covers themselves are too flimsy and prone to overtorque causing them to bend and never seal.

Headlight motors. Stripped gears, repair kits' rubbers too soft, torque switches inside the motor not bending enough to break the circuit. This system caused my headlights to be permanently up for years now.

Auto tranny jerking into D. Never fixed that. For all those years it still smashes into D and still works perfectly aside from this issue.

Overall build quality, panels not lining up, felt guides scratching the windows, rattling doors.

Aside from all this it just rides cool and there's nothing else like it on the roads today over here.

My 2 cents.
Dennis LaGrua MAY 15, 06:52 PM
Fieros........ making ace mechanics out of ordinary men! Not my quote but read it here a while back.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

reinhart MAY 15, 07:44 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

One of the worse jobs that I ever did on my Fiero was the replacement of the window motor and side window glass. You've got to strip the door to the bone just to get in there. Dew wipes can be a PITA but doable. One of the most tedious jobs was stripping down the steering column to get at the 4 bolts that hold the tilt mechanism in place. The water pump can be a pain to replace as corroded bolts break. Clutches and transmissions require a lot of work to replace but none of the steps are usually hard, save for the rear cradle bolts on occasion.




Actually did the removal on a junkyard car a few weeks ago. It wasn't *that* bad except no drill available because my cordless couldn't spin fast enough to drill out the rivets. Had to spend several hours trying to cut away at the metal with wire cutters until I got them free.Hands were blistered to heck. Had I been at home with electricity I don't think it would have been too bad. It can all be done inside the car door (not removing the skin). I'll be putting the replacement glass in my own car soon so maybe I'll have other thoughts then.

I guess it is harder than the dew wipes but is replacing glass a normal maintenance problem? This will be the first time I've had to do it in 5 Fieros I've owned. I've had to do one windshield replacement as well.
Will MAY 15, 07:47 PM
The V6 starter replacement is in there someplace.
fieroguru MAY 15, 09:10 PM
Throttle cable replacement isn't much fun.
Raydar MAY 16, 09:22 PM
V6 coolant crossover pipe replacement. What a complete pain in the ass.
Gave my vocabulary quite the workout. Even made up a few new words.
Even frightened the dog.