Finally finished rebuilding the front suspension. Installed poly in the control arms. Installed modified 86 WS6 springs (FJF code. Shortened by 1 3/4 coils.) Installed new Monroe Sensa-tracs.
When everything went back together, it was "duck footed" by nearly a half inch. Since I reassembled everything pretty much where it was (using the alignment tools that are sold on eBay) I was surprised to find that there was that much disparity between the rubber bushings (which didn't seem worn) and the poly.
I whipped a quick "tape measure alignment" on it, and performed yet another gravity bleed on the right front caliper. (For the longest time, it's had an initial pull to the left whenever the brakes were nailed, after which it seemed to even out.) I kept on getting bubbles in the hose, even though I had dabbed generous amounts of bearing grease around the bleeder threads. I was sure I still had a leak, and kept on messing with it. Finally the fluid started running out "clear". Not sure if I did something, or if there was really that much air in the system.
Took it for a quick ride. The front end seems to be more "precise", but I couldn't really put it through any paces, or check the braking, because it's raining. Again.
The rear is next. It's also getting new Sensa-Tracs. NAPA camber bolts, Also getting the (stiffer) 88 front springs and fieroguru's camber correction kit. A friend of mine is going to cobble together the upper spring hats. (Some of you may have heard of John Fiero Champagne from Montreal. He lives here, now.) Actually, he's going to let me do it, and try my hand at welding. Promises to be lots of fun.
------------------ Raydar 88 Formula IMSA Fastback. 4.9, NVG T550 Praise the Lowered!
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 03-24-2013).]
After 2 years of driving my 88GT in south Florida WITHOUT air conditioning I put on a new compressor, charged the system and now have A/C...... will wonders never cease.
Ode to the ‘84 SE When I started my car there arose such a clatter, I crawled underneath to see what was the matter. And what to my wondering eyes should appear? Two nut-less studs; a bolt missing, quite clear. So how did the starter stay on you might ask, With only one loose bolt, left to the task? Off from the parts car, a bolt to make tight, Nuts from the wiper joint seemed to be right. So now it is fixed, & quite cheaply ‘tis said, Next is the leak from a screw in a tread...
Prepped for spring! Seafomed, found an ehaust leak (need to fix that). Reconditioned my window switches and replaced the plastic gray buttons with 84 black ones. Installed them in a new plate that I got from the fiero store along with a lightly used power mirror switch in preparation for my power mirror install. Also I migrated the wiring from a beachwood color consol to a dark gray cut t-top console for the performance sound package. One last thing was installed a battery disconnect on the battery with a 15amp pass through so when disconnected the radio remembers the time and the alarm still works.
Tomorrow I try and fix the Exaust leak and order some sound dampening.
I looked at all the parts I bought to put on my 87. I allso took the 86 gt my son drive to a restoration shop to have some work done to the door striker bolts , the thin sheetmetal around the bolts had cracked. a previous welding shop tried to fix it but only made it worse. I have seen his work and he says he will restore it to original look . The passenger side was so badly welded that it broke and fell out in an aproximate 3 inch section around it. found under seat two of my missing flashlites , my daughters spare car key, two insulated cups, tire gage, one womans ring, and assorted junk.
Swapped the winter toys for the summer toy... Moved the Fiero out of the corner of the garage, and put the snowmobiles away in that spot. Glad I didn't put the sleds away any sooner, was still out riding last weekend!!
I rebuilt my daughters steering column, those darn four bolts. Sorry to see Fieroman took down all of his posts. Thanks!!! to all the great information and gear heads on this sight. I would have never finished today without breaking something of launching the steering column into the neighbors yard with out you.
Nothing!!! Which is good and bad in the same sentence. Good, nothing needs fixing. Bad, don't have the time to tinker with it. Unfortunately, my daughters 66 Mustang needs some $$$$ and work. Looks like dad's car will take the back burner once again.
Got almost the whole car painted today,have to sand and prep the front bumper tommorrow and then paint all my trim, sail window inserts and engine vents.
[This message has been edited by fierogtlt1 (edited 04-14-2013).]
Today I installed a RD low temp fan switch / thermostat in my '87 GT. I also painted a replacement dash with SEM Presido (gray) / Satin Black and the HVAC surround, Fiero Store tray, speedo surround, aux surround and shifter surround in SEM Satin Black. I have some RD "OEM better quality speakers" that will get installed tomorrow (both front & rear) along with the dash and I'm going to re-wrap the speaker grills in RD Gray UV resistant speaker grill cloth.
Here's a pic of the painted dash / aux surround...
[This message has been edited by cpx (edited 04-07-2013).]
Changed a clutch disc and installed the engine back in the car. The small piece that broke out of the spring pocket wedged in the pressure plate and it wouldn't release. Kind of a hassel, but the guys a Spec did send me a replacement no charge.
Got mine to start, timed good, & backed it out of the garage! Due to expired tags I just took it around the parking lot & brought it back into the garage.
A friend of mine is going to cobble together the upper spring hats. (Some of you may have heard of John Fiero Champagne from Montreal. He lives here, now.) Actually, he's going to let me do it, and try my hand at welding. Promises to be lots of fun.
Hey ik John, he used to work with my brother. Great dude!
I spent the morning washing, waxing and detailing my 87 GT. It hadn't been out of the garage since the Daytona spring show and when I drove home it was all in the rain. Now I'm trying to locate my battery tender for it. It is somewhere in the garage, but I couldn't locate it. A sign of getting old I guess.
I found the battery tender...on the kitchen table..
[This message has been edited by Old Lar (edited 04-12-2013).]
haha bit of a first post anywhere but my one in the mall, but today I put new door locks and trunk lid lock in.......I swear to god, If I ever have to replace them again, someone else is getting paid, far to much of a job.
