Real Fiero Tech

The replacement hub still has 0.005" runout: IMG_0009.jpeg Better than 0.015", but still too much. I asked sluppy123 to inspect his work before shipping (I told him that I was expecting 0.003" max); looks like he didn't. The corner radius of the endmill used to cut the pockets changed...

The combination of parking brake cables I bought for my Ford Ranger aren't working together (wrong length), so I need customized cable lengths + some adjustment. I found this: DODGE > 2010 > RAM 1500 PICKUP > 5.7L V8 > Brake & Wheel Hub > Parking Brake Cable Equalizer (many other years work; the...

The replacement hub showed up yesterday on 2023-11-22.

I'll check the runout in a week or so, the next time I go visit my parents (where my Fiero is currently located).

With some nagging, I finally got a tracking number (currently at label created) today, 72 days after I reported that my hub was scrap and that replacement was required.

I have modified your drawing to represent a bit better how I imagine that the red part is squeezed between the lifter body and the blue part. If possible, I would trim the rivet relatively short. This way, the weld shrinkage pulls everything together. If the rivet is too long (drawn exaggerated to s...

How much of trucks riding like tanks is because they need stiff (could be progressive) springs (regardless of type, leaf or coil) to accommodate heavy payloads, versus the type of axle location (leaf springs versus links)? I suppose that with a leaf spring, you can tune it by rotating the spring in ...

It seems to me like sway bar tuning is done at the very end, once everything else has been selected.

It appears that sluppy123 only answers messages when he has good news, otherwise, radio silence. After some unanswered messages, sluppy123 told me last Thursday that he received the raw material: 1.png On Monday, he told me the replacement hub was done: 2.png So it may show up, possibly... I don't l...

Welding used aluminium sucks, but what if you look into using glue instead?

I wouldn't want to butt-glue runners on, but if you can make slip-fit joints with your homebrew cast runners...

Have you tried getting a brand-new intake manifold from a dealer?

I sent another follow-up message on Friday 2023-10-06. No answer.

Looks like I'll end up having to deal with this on my own...

I normally stop driving the Fiero around mid-November, so yeah, I'm running out of time. I'll re-ping sluppy123 on Monday to see if he has any updates. In the meanwhile, I found this publication from Timken: https://www.timken.com/resources/cv5-correct-fits-for-your-wheel-bearing/ If I end up making...

When I installed the hubs on the car on 23 August 2023, the wheel one one side wobbled (the opposite wheel turned normally). I figured that the cause was the hub face which had 0.015" of runout: https://youtu.be/mytS2BFMlpQ With prodding, sluppy123 agreed to make me a replacement hub (I would h...

The Dark Side of Will wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2023 8:41 pm I guess you mean install the shocks fully extended. With a little muscle, they can be R&R'd with the vehicle on the ground just by turning the wheels full lock.

I was speaking in the context of installing the shock on the production line.

I don't remember if the shocks were installed at that point, so I could recheck the endlinks with the shocks installed. If what you're saying is true, then there is a specific assembly order that must be followed to avoid damaging things. Yes, the shock droop limiter is above the crossmember droop l...

I'm not sure there's room to make one that won't spread... maybe I'll play with it on a spare control arm. Sendcutsend does have steel options which are stronger than mild steel. I don't know what you used. ******************************************************************************** I don't thi...

I have also used sendcutsend. I like them.

I had an issue (on my 84-87 Fiero) with Rodney Dickman zero-lash links whereby the ball-and-socket joints didn't have enough range of motion to work on my Fiero: I'm not sure what went wrong, but it's something to watch out for.

Here is a photo I took of the most misaligned pivot (viewed in the direction that most accentuates the misalignment). By tracing lines on top of the image, I should be able to figure out the misalignment angle. Misalignment.jpg As a reminder, my Fiero is mostly stock, but its forward LCA pivot has b...

Spherical bearings: I finally installed the bearings into the '84-'87 rear control arms I had welded and powder coated Here's one with the snap ring that retains it. The press fit is rather light in order to keep the preload torque in a range that it reasonable for a suspension pivot. Most of these...

It looks a lot like mine: The shaft on mine has a male hexagon, so I drive it with a hex socket and square drive adapter in a drill.

The spherical bearing shells are now installed in my Fiero's LCAs. The tool works pretty much as it should. I wouldn't change it. I was able to install/uninstall bearings with the force available from a 4" bench vise. Axial dimensions of the shells and spacers are good. I wouldn't change those....