My left-side decklid hinge suddenly snapped yesterday. I was about to head for the junkyard to get a replacement, but the torque rod is going to be a problem. Has anyone dealt with this before? Suggestions?
Happened to me last week end putting the deck lid back on. I had blocks of wood stuck between the rod and hinge to hold it down level(ish) as I was on my own, hinge pin just sheared off. I was lucky it did not take the back window out. I have the special torx bit you need to get the bolt out so I could separate the hinge from the torque rod. Then I manhandled it down so I could get a piece of pipe on there. Once I could get it down I stuffed more wood in there to hold it down while I put a new hinge on (had a spare), then bolted the short link to the new hinge. I think the main thing is to protect the rear window as much as possible. Tape a piece of thick wood/board over it. If you can do that then you can let the rod rest against the wood which gives you enough play to pull the other end forward to remove the pin and remove the whole torque rod.Then you can work with it off the car.
I couldn't find the special torx bit with the hollow end, so I tried to follow Rodney's instructions for hinge strap replacement by "peening" the little center pin off the fastener... all it did was hopelessly bend over without breaking. In the end, I used a cutoff wheel on my die grinder and made two small flats on the OD of the fastener which allowed me to get a pair of visegrips on it to get it off.
IP: Logged
05:18 PM
phonedawgz Member
Posts: 17091 From: Green Bay, WI USA Registered: Dec 2009
I seen a good pic on here, someone used ratchet straps and tied them back to the trunk latch but I didn't save it to fav's. I just changed the torsion rods on mine last week, I've changed them on different Fiero's several times, I have used small needlenose vice grips to get that security torx out. also wrapping a ratchet strap at the bottom on the torsion bar helps you to pull it back out to fit the spike, when it is all replaced, you can wrap the strap around in your hand to get a good grip, pull it back with one hand and push the spike in. I oiled them up after I finished.
IP: Logged
08:15 PM
rourke_87_T-Top Member
Posts: 1347 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jan 2009
Lowe's had the security torx set with the T40 bit on sale for $28 and I got a pair of hinges off an '85 notchie in the yard for $13. I used a pile of thick thermal insulation from the interior that was in the trunk of the junkyard car to protect the rear glass and will probably do the same with mine when I replace it later. I like the ratchet straps idea for holding the torque rods down, I'll definitely go that route.
Ratchet strap on the torsion rod worked perfectly. Didn't even have to take the decklid off, and was done in about 20 minutes. Decklid is a little crooked from being bent out of shape for a few days, but I'm hoping it'll settle back to its original shape in a few more.
IP: Logged
03:35 PM
Mar 27th, 2010
fierosound Member
Posts: 15190 From: Calgary, Canada Registered: Nov 1999
... at least get the Body Section I've made available separately for download. This is a small 113 page, 7 MB PDF file for quick download Click here to start it now.
It tells you how to change the hinge or rod WITHOUT accidentally smashing your rear window, or your hands. Manuals are a GOOD thing to have.
Manuals are a GOOD thing to have. 
