Why hasn't the Fiero Store, AusFiero, Rodney Dickman, SOMEBODY reproduced the recalled weather strip for the rear decklid?? It can't be too hard to make a copy and everyone will buy one! They always sell instantly on the mall, ebay, and elsewhere. Last I heard, they were a scapegoat; they didn't actually cause a problem but GM needed to blame the engine fires and etc on something so they got recalled. Now we all have cars with the rear window steaming up and the forward manifolds in danger of cracking every time it rains! If I had a way to make these rubber strips, or access to one to try and copy, I'd do it, but I don't. So who wants to take on the challenge?
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04:24 AM
PFF
System Bot
Fierokid87 Member
Posts: 4954 From: N. Ridgeville, Ohio, USA Registered: Jan 2001
well I was able to find a good one in a junk yard car. But when i first got my blue 87 coupe. I had it. However i only had part of it. when who ever performed the recall, instead of removing it they cut it.
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04:38 AM
AusFiero Member
Posts: 11513 From: Dapto NSW Australia Registered: Feb 2001
Titanium edged-fabric rubber replacements were available from a Florida vendor a coupel of years ago. Unfortunately, I have forgotten his address/name. They were about $25.00. Looks, installs and functions exactly as originals.
Maybe the vendor will recognize this post and announce the availability.
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09:39 AM
RossT Member
Posts: 3038 From: Bismarck, North Dakota Registered: May 99
Ok, I found the pics for now, will post his e-mail later when I dig out the parts. I don't think they are titanium, but they do install easily and you can use either the stock clips or a small nut on the decklid side. The other side slips under the window, and forms a nice U shaped chanel for the water to bybass or run off. It is very flexible and should last a long time. I have a set of Darrel Morse powder coated silver stock clips that I was going to use. I think the crome/silver clips would look good with the aluminum edge on the weather strip. Yes it was $25 (at least it was 2 years ago) and that included shipping. There are 3-4 ways to install it. The pics I have only show 1 way. But you don't have to remove the decklid to do it. If you don't have the stock clips, you use a sheet metal scew. You can also use a small screw and a nut if clips are missing. It looks nothing like the stock unit, but should do a better job and won't be very noticable. Instructions are included too!
[This message has been edited by RossT (edited 12-28-2003).]
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11:11 AM
Denny Member
Posts: 1410 From: Leola, PA USA Registered: Apr 2001
The guy's name is Mike Freed. Last I heard from Mike, I bought two of the last three of those that he had. Don't know if he had any more made.
Mike's email at the time was Mwfreed1@aol.com, but that was about 4 years ago. I think that is still current, since it's listed on the Space Coast Fiero website ( http://spacecoastfieros.com/ ).
[This message has been edited by Denny (edited 12-28-2003).]
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11:55 AM
GARY TUCKER Member
Posts: 694 From: OOLTEWAH, TENNESSEE Registered: Oct 2003
I have seen these listed on e-bay...I think there is a guy making them in small quantities of them and selling them one at a time on e-bay...I have bid on several of them and when they get up around $30.00 I have quit bidding or they have sold while I was at work or something....then about a week later I would see another one by the same fellow for sale again....when he lists it on e-bay he has a picture of in on ground nest to a Fiero and he calls it the Rare recalled weather strip off of Fieros...but I have seen so many of them by the same guy, I figured he was making them beacuse they always have a winning bidder....and the other stuff he is selling he fabricates.
------------------ 1988 Gary Tucker (GT)
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04:33 PM
Fastback 86 Member
Posts: 7849 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Sep 2003
Yeh, thats why I was hoping someone would make them a little more commercially so they wouldn't get to be ludicrisly expensive or hard to find. I sent Mike Freed an email, so I'll let you guys know about that when he writes me back.
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05:11 PM
Dec 29th, 2003
RossT Member
Posts: 3038 From: Bismarck, North Dakota Registered: May 99
Fastback... Let us know what Mike has to say. I know that mine is high quality and will go on my next fiero (if it doesn't have the stock unit). Many of the oem ones on e-bay that I have seen are bent or dinged when taking them off the car.
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05:00 PM
FormulaGT Member
Posts: 789 From: Santa Barbara, CA USA Registered: Sep 2003
I was able to get one for my GT from Kick Hill Farm for $25.00 shipped. I got lucky when I found one for my Formula at a Pick your Part for $2.00 This is a must have for the weather element challenged Fiero. Good luck people!
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09:30 PM
PFF
System Bot
FieroMGDriver Member
Posts: 961 From: Concord, NC USA Registered: Nov 2001
Ha, ha. I have all the original clips on my 87 GT, but no weather strip. I always wondered how a weather strip preventing water from entering the engine bay could promote fire. I guess if your front manifold were on fire and it was raining outside, you could open your decklid really fast and extinguish the flames. I removed some of the clips to save my arm when changing the spark plugs. I think that flexible strip you have pictured above is the perfect solution.
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09:40 PM
derangedsheep Member
Posts: 3089 From: Myerstown, PA Registered: Mar 2003
does anyone have good pics that show all angles of the factory strip? i was thinking we could maybe use one of those strips that you put on the bottom of a door to keep the air out, heres a pic on my front door. it sticks out about 1/8" from the door, maybe less
and a close up of the edge
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11:09 PM
Bradbitz11 Member
Posts: 1826 From: Kawkawlin, MI Registered: Dec 2002
Anybody have pics of a stock one installed from above and below? I just bought one from Electrathon, and don't think I've ever seen a pic of one installed.
------------------
86 GT -- All Options except Performance Sound
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11:12 PM
Fastback 86 Member
Posts: 7849 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Sep 2003
UPDATE: I emailed Mike Freed and he has some of the weather his weather strips, pics of which have already been posted, in stock and is still selling them for $25 shipped. He said for anyone interested to contact him at mwfreed1@aol.com I'm mailing payment for mine tomarrow
I tried something like the door strip and it didn't really work at all. The factory strip attached to both the decklid and to the firewall, so the water HAD to go off to the sides.
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11:54 PM
Dec 30th, 2003
Electrathon Member
Posts: 5234 From: Gresham, OR USA Registered: Dec 2002
Here is an end view of the weatherstrip. It attaches only to the lid, not to the body. If you open the trunk it will creat a gap when opened. The other one in the pic would trap crud and have to be cleaned. It is a more positive seal, but definatly higher maintiance. It is totally differant in appearance that the factory one too, if that is an issue.
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12:35 AM
2000RagTop Member
Posts: 3999 From: Sussex, (Milwaukee) Wi. USA, Earth Registered: Jun 2003
Mike Freed's design keeps you from dumping accumulated water on your exhaust and spark plugs when you open the decklid. And any accumulated crud (leaves, dirt) gets washed out when you wash the car.
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10:22 PM
jtiger186 Member
Posts: 158 From: Fairview Hgts, IL. USA Registered: Nov 2002
Must say that Mike Freed is a great guy to deal with. Received mine the other day and it is well made and has great instructions with it. Now if I can find the time to put it on
