Rear Inner Tie Rod Ends (Page 1/4)
ArthurPeale MAY 17, 11:58 PM
Either my search FU is off, or there aren't a lot of posts on the matter. I've found a few.

I found this where a guy used 1991 Chevy Lumina inners on his rear, but couldn't find a writeup on the how

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/...021104-2-021600.html

Is it just a matter of unbolting the old, and bolting in the new?
Patrick MAY 18, 01:42 AM

quote
Originally posted by ArthurPeale:

Either my search FU is off, or there aren't a lot of posts on the matter. I've found a few.



Don't know how many you've found, or how many you need... but using the words in your subject heading, I found five threads under Subject/Username... and 1064 threads under Entire thread.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05-18-2021).]

Dennis LaGrua MAY 18, 09:44 AM

quote
Originally posted by ArthurPeale:

Either my search FU is off, or there aren't a lot of posts on the matter. I've found a few.

I found this where a guy used 1991 Chevy Lumina inners on his rear, but couldn't find a writeup on the how

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/...021104-2-021600.html

Is it just a matter of unbolting the old, and bolting in the new?



I believe that using the Lumina tie rods to replace the Fiero rear tie rods was an option created by Anthony Cook of Nova Scotia. The Lumina rods do not have threaded studs on the joint end so It works as follows. You use the Fiero tie rods, to make studs for the Lumina rods so cut you off the threaded end and use this as a stud to mount the Lumina Rod on the inner side. . Then you put Loctite on those studs you made and insert them into the threaded ends of the Lumina tie rods but not to far to bind the joint. You tighten them in place with a nut and lock washer. Then you just use that rod to replace the Fieros but the mounting hole just needs to be enlarged just a bit. The adjusting nut is the same for both rods and is reused.

------------------
" 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 "

ArthurPeale MAY 18, 10:36 AM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:


I believe that using the Lumina tie rods to replace the Fiero rear tie rods was an option created by Anthony Cook of Nova Scotia. The Lumina rods do not have threaded studs on the joint end so It works as follows. You use the Fiero tie rods, to make studs for the Lumina rods so cut you off the threaded end and use this as a stud to mount the Lumina Rod on the inner side. . Then you put Loctite on those studs you made and insert them into the threaded ends of the Lumina tie rods but not to far to bind the joint. You tighten them in place with a nut and lock washer. Then you just use that rod to replace the Fieros but the mounting hole just needs to be enlarged just a bit. The adjusting nut is the same for both rods and is reused.



I've read that a bunch of times, but I could deal with a visual much better. Is there a photo writeup? Better, a video? It sounds like there is welding involved?
ArthurPeale MAY 18, 10:41 AM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Don't know how many you've found, or how many you need... but using the words in your subject heading, I found five threads under Subject/Username... and 1064 threads under Entire thread.




I found the five, but they didn't seem to be much help to me. "five" is what I meant by "there's not a lot out there".

If that info is within the 1064 threads containing various iterations on those words....well, information overload.

I have to imagine that more than five people have dealt with this specific issue.

also, it looks like very few merchants sell them. They're not on Rock Auto (that I've found). Rodney Dickman has them, but they're also four times EACH the price of other inner tie rods.
Dennis LaGrua MAY 18, 12:10 PM

quote
Originally posted by ArthurPeale:


I've read that a bunch of times, but I could deal with a visual much better. Is there a photo writeup? Better, a video? It sounds like there is welding involved?


Sorry, I do not have a video or pictures as I am not doing this repair right now. Re-read my post. I laid the process out step by step. I did not mention any welding. Its actually very simple. Make a stud by cutting off the threaded end of the Fiero tie rod. Now throw the rest ot the rod away. Now you have a fully threaded stud about 3" long. Screw the threaded stud that you cut from the Fiero rod into the inner end of the Lumina rod and just bolt it in using nuts and washers. Add the standard Fiero outer tie rod to the Lumina rod. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes to get this done.

------------------
" 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 "

Patrick MAY 18, 02:49 PM

quote
Originally posted by ArthurPeale:

If that info is within the 1064 threads containing various iterations on those words....well, information overload.



That's where adding relevant words to the search terms comes into play.


quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

...using the words in your subject heading, I found five threads under Subject/Username... and 1064 threads under Entire thread.


[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05-18-2021).]

ArthurPeale MAY 18, 03:13 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

Sorry, I do not have a video or pictures as I am not doing this repair right now. Re-read my post. I laid the process out step by step. I did not mention any welding. Its actually very simple. Make a stud by cutting off the threaded end of the Fiero tie rod. Now throw the rest ot the rod away. Now you have a fully threaded stud about 3" long. Screw the threaded stud that you cut from the Fiero rod into the inner end of the Lumina rod and just bolt it in using nuts and washers. Add the standard Fiero outer tie rod to the Lumina rod. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes to get this done.




Thank you. I am sorry that I didn't understand it the first time. I did read it several times before replying to clarify. I've always been a visual learner, so a text description does make it more challenging.

Your second attempt was incredibly helpful! Thank you.

What kind of Loctite? Red, or, blue?

Should i use a thread chaser on the piece that I cut off to make it easier to thread into the tie rod end? If so, I'll have to get one.

Then, the new tie rod is inserted into the cradle via this stud, and secured with a washer, a lock washer, and a nut, does that sound accurate?

Wow, if so, that's remarkably easy.
ArthurPeale MAY 18, 03:20 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:
That's where adding relevant words to the search terms comes into play.



Very true.

The challenge, for me is, then, what are the relevant words for a search?

What I did end up doing was going through, page-by-page, looking at possibly relevant subject lines and article blurbs. I didn't find exactly what I was looking for, but I did find a link to a fellow who had an interesting way to tighten a tie rod end that just spun.

That's my overall issue - the tie rod ends are okay when I disassembled them, but when I went to reassemble, they would simply spin in the joint.

Although at this point it's likely that I'll just replace the whole shebang with a '93 Lumina end, since that looks to be the easiest thing to do.
Dennis LaGrua MAY 22, 05:51 PM

quote
Originally posted by ArthurPeale:


Thank you. I am sorry that I didn't understand it the first time. I did read it several times before replying to clarify. I've always been a visual learner, so a text description does make it more challenging.

Your second attempt was incredibly helpful! Thank you.

What kind of Loctite? Red, or, blue?

Should i use a thread chaser on the piece that I cut off to make it easier to thread into the tie rod end? If so, I'll have to get one.

Then, the new tie rod is inserted into the cradle via this stud, and secured with a washer, a lock washer, and a nut, does that sound accurate?

Wow, if so, that's remarkably easy.



When I make the studs for the Lumina rod I just cut off the threaded end of the Fiero inner tie rod. If the cut has rough edges I just smooth the edges on the bench grinder so that it is easy to thread them into the Lumina rod. I use Loctite Red. Then use a nut and a lock washer to hold the stud in place. Just don't screw the stud in too deep or it may bind the new rod at the joint. Now you should have an inner tie rod with screw threads at both ends. Secure the inner side in place on the cradle with a nut and lock washer and screw on the Fiero outer tie rod.