So a new set is about $900 and I don't think I can find these used... It would bring the total to about $4,500. Still wouldn't be able to buy another Fiero for that price so, yeah. Something with bullet and biting.
So the price of $900 is probably for a set of 4 springs, but I only need the rears.
One member here generously offered a set of rear lowering springs which he isn't using. Now the only question is: are there different length lowering springs? I wouldn't mind if the rear is slightly higher than the front, but the other way around looks terrible...
My mechanic said the current springs on my Fiero are probably the lowest in existence so he wasn't really worried about the "new" springs being too low. Also, he said that even if they were too low (or too high) it would at least get the car through inspection and I could always try to find the proper length afterwards.
So the price of $900 is probably for a set of 4 springs, but I only need the rears.
One member here generously offered a set of rear lowering springs which he isn't using. Now the only question is: are there different length lowering springs? I wouldn't mind if the rear is slightly higher than the front, but the other way around looks terrible...
My mechanic said the current springs on my Fiero are probably the lowest in existence so he wasn't really worried about the "new" springs being too low. Also, he said that even if they were too low (or too high) it would at least get the car through inspection and I could always try to find the proper length afterwards.
Hey Cliff, we have a good set of USED WS6 springs (the highest stiffness) from a stock Fiero. They are still in great shape. Let me know if you need / want them (for free).
Sage has been so generous to offer me his spare rear lowered springs!
I went to look at the car yesterday (had to bring some extra parts) and the mechanic had been preparing for the job. I'm now even more convinced he will be doing a great job. Next to the car was a table with all replacement parts laid out in order. The engine was ready to be taken out completely, and he even went as far as to clean up the car from all junk I had in it (old parts, bottles of oil and coolant, all kinds of tools). He even removed the chairs to remove crap from there!
So I'm actually feeling good about this. I just hope he will not find other (big) things that needs to be repaired because I'm already way over budget. 😬
Maybe nows the time to let us get a care package of parts to you? Belts, gaskets, hoses, vacuum lines, trim pieces, what do you need? Since the motors coming out, nows a good a time as any. Im sure most of us are sitting on at least a small pile of fiero parts lol
Maybe nows the time to let us get a care package of parts to you? Belts, gaskets, hoses, vacuum lines, trim pieces, what do you need? Since the motors coming out, nows a good a time as any. Im sure most of us are sitting on at least a small pile of fiero parts lol
shem
Yes, give us a list of parts that you might need? I can offer welding/fabrication if needed? My car is structurally good so I could maybe copy the lower frame rails that you have rusted out, and make up some patch panels?
------------------ "Turbo Slug" - '87 Fiero GT. 3800 turbo. - The fastest Fiero in France! @turboslugfiero https://youtu.be/hUzOAeyWLfM
Another thing, when they sent me this picture I couldn't remember the rims being this clean nor the car being so shiny. When I asked about that, they said they washed it first before they drove it into the garage. 😄
I ordered a new Balancer from RockAuto (Dorman 594-013). That was actually cheaper than have someone ship a used one to me. Shipping cost alone would be around $80. A new balancer including shipping from RockAuto was $68. And it will be delivered on friday. Still don't understand how they are able to ship so cheap.
I ordered a new Balancer from RockAuto (Dorman 594-013). That was actually cheaper than have someone ship a used one to me. Shipping cost alone would be around $80. A new balancer including shipping from RockAuto was $68. And it will be delivered on friday. Still don't understand how they are able to ship so cheap.
Cliff, your mechanic will probably already be aware of this, but the correct timing mark will need to be added to this balancer. (See the quote/link below.) And a big thumbs-up to RockAuto. They really improved their service to international customers. It used to be abysmal. I like to think that This thread contributed in some way to them turning things completely around. (What a shame all the images are now missing from that thread. )
The Dorman part number is 594-013 for 85-87. This is the same part you'll get from TFS.
The timing mark is different.
After mine was replaced I checked the timing with an adjustable timing light to see where the new mark falls. For #1 cylinder that is 40 degrees and #4 42.5. I think this would be in advance.
You can also do the procedure to get top dead center and then make a mark on the new damper or you can get products that wrap around the outer ring to give you the correct mark for different applications.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 09-17-2024).]
So the engine is back in the car and the new springs have been installed! When compared side by side, the springs I got from Sage were a bit lower but since they were much, much stiffer than the old springs, I already suspected they wouldn't be too low and actually be a bit higher than the old once installed on the car. And I was right:
Wondering why they would reinstall the engine before doing the frame repair. Wouldn't they have better access with the engine out?
It's a section under the car, probably no easier with or without the engine, they may have installed it to keep the cradle mount aligned during the cutting and welding, as it's right around there.
Just a reminder Cliff that since your car was recently jacked up on / near the coolant tube’s, do not forget to have your mechanic check out both sides (the whole length) and check for collapsed/crushed tubes while he’s got it up on the lift. He’s got a lot of patchwork to do and we don’t want him to forget to address it. 😊 Kit
I got the car back yesterday and it passed inspection! 😊.
When I went to pick it up, they had it inside in their garage. The first thing I did was look under the car. No oil/coolant spots! Yay! The other thing I noticed was the sound when I started it. This is how a Fiero is supposed to sound! There were no sounds of leaking exhaust headers, or a chirping belt. Only the sound of the V6 rumble. Also, this was the first time I actually heard it suck air into the air intake. Then when I drove it, I felt what I hadn't felt in a long time. Being pushed back in my seat! Also, the rear spring I got from Sage are much stiffer than the ones that were on there before and this feels so much nicer! [b]So thanks again, Sage![b] Only now do I realize how bad the old springs were. I'm thinking about trying to find a matching front pair. That would improve handling by quite a bit!
But the car is still far from perfect, though. There are still a lot of things that need to be done but I can do all of them myself. But at least engine wise, nothing else needs to be done (except maybe replace the oil sender).
There were a few small issues (which I posted about in the TD&Q section), but those should not be hard to fix.
Anyway, they also made some pictures while they were working on the car:
I think he means here... it's the only thing I see. Looks like it may have hit something at some point. Not a big deal really, the frame is still intact, but that should be straight like the rest. Likely didn't affect anything since of course it was bolted in...
Well, no idea how or when that happened. Could have happened a month ago, could have happened 25 years ago... With a car as low as mine, it's not all too strange that the bottom sometimes hits something. Although again, this must have happened while backing up.
Oh wait, I was looking at it incorrectly. This happened while going forward. I think I know how and when this happened. I was driving a cobble road and a manhole cover was sticking out. Not much and I actually didn't notice it sticking out, but when I drove over it, I heard (and felt) a very loud bang. I checked under the car and couldn't see anything so I had no idea what it hit.
)
