Another thread about these caught my eye (https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/088546.html)
and thus I created this one to make the idea more clear-


At any rate- I have now heard repeatedly that the rubber slide pin boots for the '88 Fiero are not available any longer except in a fairly expensive kit that includes new sliders...

Soooo....I just got a set of rebuilt calipers from a rebuilder and he told me that he is using replacment slider boots that are "not oem for the Fiero" but work just fine. The guy has told me that he might be willing to start selling the boots he uses to rebuild '88 calipers, but that he is hesitant because he "can just foresee some people complaining because they aren't quite right and I don't really want to get all mixed up in that." I have told him that the people on here likely would NOT complain about it as long as they function properly and work as required, because right now we have NO alternative! I know he says he has a TON of the boots that will work on hand currently and that he would "like to sell some." But he's worried about customers complaining and such is the deal. I will get mine installed and maybe post some pics of them so anyone who's interested can compare to factory ones (I don't have any factory '88 calipers with oem boots on hand to compare).


I will keep working with this guy IF THERE IS ENOUGH INTEREST HERE? Please let me know by posting in this thread.


-Gary

[This message has been edited by FieroFanatic13 (edited 02-15-2008).]

how about offering to buy them and sell them yourself... if they work?
Tell the guy you will sell the first 50 sets and will not release his name. If all the feedback is positive, then you will turn over the customer base to him and he can sell them... or something like that.

J.

quote Originally posted by jaskispyder: how about offering to buy them and sell them yourself... if they work? Tell the guy you will sell the first 50 sets and will not release his name. If all the feedback is positive, then you will turn over the customer base to him and he can sell them... or something like that. J.

Not a bad idea, actually. The thought had crossed my mind to just let him stay out of it completely and just buy them from him to sell here on the forum, but I hadn't thought of this angle...

Mark me down for a set

quote Originally posted by Fierostarvin: Mark me down for a set

I'll keep a tally and let him know how many people seem interested after this weekend...

Thanks for the reply Fierostarvin.

-Gary

I'd like to buy 3 sets to start with.

JazzMan

I'd be interested probably. One set.

[This message has been edited by PineyCreek (edited 02-15-2008).]

Mark me down for 2 sets!

I'll take 2 sets. Maybe someone like Rodney may want to find out the root source of these and offer them if they work.

I'll definitely take a set. But I'd really like to get them in the next few weeks, as that's when I'll be rebuilding my calipers. I'd like to avoid pulling my calipers again.

quote Originally posted by jsantini: I'll definitely take a set. But I'd really like to get them in the next few weeks, as that's when I'll be rebuilding my calipers. I'd like to avoid pulling my calipers again.

You have a pm jsantini.

I'm keeping a list of everyone who says they are interested in these and will keep posting updates in this thread.

-Gary

I'll go for a set too! I ws gonna pm you in that other thread and ask you to pick up a set, I can;t patch mine anymore...

I'm in, PM me on how it's going?
I've got a R Rear that has a minor hangup?

------------------
Ol' Paint, 88 Base coupe auto.
Turning white on top, like owner.
Leaks a little, like owner.
Doesn't smoke, unlike owner

quote Originally posted by DtheC: I'm in, PM me on how it's going? I've got a R Rear that has a minor hangup?

Do you need just the boots or the slider too? This is just the rubber boots as clarification.

I'm having trouble figuring out what part we are talking about. A picture would help.

I would be interested in boots and sliders for two cars all four corners.

------------------
'88 Coupe (extensive mods underway)
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/086359.html

quote Originally posted by jscott1: I'm having trouble figuring out what part we are talking about. A picture would help.

We're talking about the rubber boots that go on each end of the caliper sliders- they seal in the grease and seal out dust and dirt, etc. Boots are circled in red:

If you find out what it would be total PM me a price.

------------------
'88 Coupe (extensive mods underway)
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/086359.html

quote Originally posted by HTXtremes: If you find out what it would be total PM me a price.

Will do...

[This message has been edited by FieroFanatic13 (edited 02-17-2008).]

got it and responded.

quote Originally posted by tjm4fun: got it and responded.

Got it tjm4fun- thanks!

one set will work for me

I am a bit confused yet. I could use a set for a car. 16 boots right? How much would they cost? Where do I send the money? Thanks, Mark

quote Originally posted by Mark A. Klein: I am a bit confused yet. I could use a set for a car. 16 boots right? How much would they cost? Where do I send the money? Thanks, Mark

I was given a price of $20 SHIPPED for a set of EIGHT BOOTS- this is enough to do TWO CALIPERS (four sliders). For SIXTEEN BOOTS it'd be two sets of eight, at about $40. I am still trying to see if I can get the cost a little lower but that may not be possible.

As for where to send the money, that will be to me, but I am finishing my install before I commit to selling any as I would prefer to be able to answer questions and vouch for the item before I get anyone else to buy!

-Gary

Bump Any updates?

quote Originally posted by Mark A. Klein: Bump Any updates?

Sorry- Had some trouble coordinating with the guy I've been talking to- and found out some further info on the boots. Looks like because of their slightly smaller diameter from stock, that they require taking one of the lip edges on the slider down a little so that you can get the second boot on. The first side is a snap- but the second side is virtually impossible to install without grinding the slider lip down a tad so that it doesn't catch the second boot and just push it out of the caliper body. I can't see where it would be a big problem, but I'm thinking that most people would prefer NOT to do this to their sliders. Still trying to figure out if there is another option now.

I guess I'd pose the question of whether or not people would be interested if they have to mod the sliders slightly to use the boots?

So you mean you're not sure 100% it's gonna fit ?

Probably not...

A trick that I've found that works "sometimes" is to fill the grove on the slider pin with some filler (bondo or the like) then slide the pin thru the boot and remove the filler. I have even thought of making some plastic or metal filler rings split in have to form 2 "C" shaped pieces to put in that first groove.

quote Originally posted by Robert 2: So you mean you're not sure 100% it's gonna fit ?

They WILL fit, yes. And seem to work just fine as far as I can tell.

BUT, it requires modding one lip on the slider to get the second boot installed is the issue. You have to take the outter lip on one end down about half way in order to get the slider through the second boot is the issue. The alternative boots are slightly smaller diameter than the oem '88 boots and are a little tight during the install process. But once installed, they look like they belong there...

[This message has been edited by FieroFanatic13 (edited 03-11-2008).]

Have you got any pics of that procedure .???? My imagery ( mind ) doesn't catch .

[This message has been edited by Robert 2 (edited 03-11-2008).]

quote Originally posted by Robert 2: Have you got any pics of that procedure .???? My imagery ( mind ) doesn't catch .

I will try to get some pics when I do my second caliper this weekend and get them posted up asap. But here is a basic illustration:



The illustration (sorry- I'm not a master at this) shows a slider in profile. I'm going to speak plainly just in case others look at this who don't know exactly what we're talking about, so anyone who is skilled or knowledgeable please chime in if I am wrong but don't be upset by my wording! Okay-

At each end is the "lip" that holds the outer end of the boot on the slider. The caliper body has a groove inside that holds the other end of the boot in place, creating the "accordian" effect of the boot as the sliders move. The first boot you put on each slider is VERY easy to install AS IS. But the second boot is seemingly impossible to install without pushing the boot back out of the caliper body. This is because the "alternative boots" are slightly smaller diameter than the OEM '88 boots, and the slider catches the edge of the boot inside the caliper body bore and pushes it out. The solution is to grind the "lip" on one end of the slider down slightly- in this illustration, it's the one on the right. I've shown the removed portion in red. Take it down just enough to allow the use of the plastic cone shaped "tool" illustrated to fit over the lip AND inside the caliper body's slider bore. You can then install the second boot and push the slider/tool combo through the tighter boot. Once the slider gets past the boot lip and the boot seats in the caliper bore slot (I feebily illustrated a boot and the lips it has on it), you're home free.

Hope this makes some kind of sense? It appears to me that it wouldn't cause any issues. The boots fit nice and tight, and I don't see that removing around half of that lip on one end would allow the boot to come off either. I can slide the one I have installed back and forth with no problems that I can see.

Did this help?

-Gary

[This message has been edited by FieroFanatic13 (edited 03-12-2008).]

Yes thanks .
And were do you get that plastic tool ???

If there's any way for me to get one of these boots for evaluation before committing to purchasing my full quantity I'd be grateful. If they'll work for me I'll want to purchase a total of 24 boots.

Thanks!

JazzMan

quote Originally posted by Robert 2: Yes thanks . And were do you get that plastic tool ???

That tool would be provided to anyone purchasing the boot "kits" would be the plan. The guy I'm working with says he has many of the tools as well as the boots we're talking about.