So....going by the directions, it is pretty clear how to put this together, and how to drill the frame, etc...basically, it goes together like the pic below (the cigar cutters holding it up represent the frame):
The question is...it also came with four bushings...shown below (one on a bolt to show it's size). It doesn't seem to mention them anywhere in the instructions, and I don't see what their purpose is. Any thoughts before I harass Rodney on the phone again?
They go under the flat square washers on top of the Fiero frame (inside the opening you cut). Without them you would end up with the floating plates bolted solid to the frame. They provide the space for the floating nut plate to "float".
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
They go under the flat square washers on top of the Fiero frame (inside the opening you cut). Without them you would end up with the floating plates bolted solid to the frame. They provide the space for the floating nut plate to "float".
I wasn't following that at first, but I see that the holes in the replacement plate must be larger then the bushings themselves to allow them to move around once the outer bolts are tightened to the frame rail. Great idea really!
Gotcha...that makes sense. Was wondering why you made the holes so big there. Figured that was a bit excessive to compensate for drilling imperfections. Thanx Rodney.
Installed it this morning. Wanted to add a thanks to Rodney for another wonderful product. This went far smoother than I expected. I think the hardest part was folding the flap down so I could work on it.
Now...if I mix threadlocker and anti-sieze and use it on the rear cradle bolts....then they will stay in until I want them out, then come out smoothly, right?
I removed the wheel well since I was removing the cradle but didn't have to remove anything else. they worked great, need small fingers for the inner nuts.
Yes, I do need them. The passenger side was the only cradle bolt that didn't come out easy peasy... I'm planning on replacing all the suspension/cradle bushings, shock and struts this weekend. I was going to get a head start on the project this weekend by replacing the cradle bushings... Now I have to go through this process to get to the cradle bushings. :-)
