After I disconnected everything, it was time to hit the cradle bolts. The front ones came loose after a while, but the rear ones just kept spinning in the frame, so... peek-a-boo...
For those who have not had the fun of cutting into the frame to loosen the top of a cradle bolt, here is what the bastard looks like when it is out. I had to cut to get to each rear nut.
and here is how the thin metal in the frame holds the nut down -pretty flimsy stuff:
[This message has been edited by Saxman (edited 11-12-2007).]
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06:27 PM
Saxman Member
Posts: 5151 From: Melbourne, FL Registered: May 2005
So, I am ready to lay her down on a dolly with a cherry picker, then take the front cradle bolts and and jack her high to roll the whole thing out from underneath.
Other specs on the car include (from FieroRumors sale post): Body and paint looks good. Some frame rust (Surface rust typical of a NY car) The alt and cat are fairly new It has the Decah VDC Door Hinges (welded in) The AC blows COLD Stereo is decent. CD PLayer with Line in for Mp3 players... lights up red, matches the interior lights The interior is in good shape, no issues with the corners of the dash, no hole in driver side seat, and the center console looks good...Carpet isn't a show acr, but it's not too bad. Headliner is intact. No sunroof leaks. Power Windows work. Windows are tinted, and in good shape. No Transmission issues (auto). Power door locks work. Power trunk lock works. Cruise control works.(well, when the ENGINE used to, anyway) FieroStore slotted rotors and brake pads (less then 1,000 miles on 'em) tires have 90% of their wear left. Never been smoked in/ never ate bacon in it. The driver side headlight is a bit "winky" sometimes (it opens and closes if you have the hood up - so a Dickman metal headlight gear kit came with the car) He kept the hood for sentimental reasons. He had some nice artwork done on it.
My wife loves it (because she is not used to seeing a Fiero with nice paint). She wants it for herself when I am done. More to come...
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06:35 PM
blackrams Member
Posts: 31843 From: Hattiesburg, MS, USA Registered: Feb 2003
Actually, I just got through with that witch hat nut experience. You can either weld it back in to the frame or weld the nut to a piece of metal that will prevent the witch hat nut from spinning inside the frame rail. I personally don't have a preference. Nice project but, I'm still betting that there was bacon eaten inside it.
------------------ Ron
Never, never do anything or wear things that you don't want to have to explain to Paramedics, it can get very embarrassing. They talk!
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 11-12-2007).]
that cradle looks pretty bad, as that is where the struts are mounted. mine was not nearly that bad and was dirven on long island for almost it;s whole life. I had one rust hole near the mount, and wleded in a piece to repair it, but it looked no where near as bad as that. you need to at least "cable wheel" it clean with a grinder to be sure, but I would look for a better shape cradle.
as for the e brake piece, it is probably useable but for under 10$ I would get a new one from the fierostore. for ebrake cables, the wagner ones on rockauto worked fine and are hlaf (or more) the price of the fierostore ones, and are the same thing.
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07:56 PM
Alex4mula Member
Posts: 7403 From: Canton, MI US Registered: Dec 1999
.. Am I doomed after seeing this or will it still work?
Wow. How can a car look so nice outside and so screwed underneath. I have seen thing like that only on the junkers around here. Don't take me wrong. It is that where I come from that type of rust damage is kind of unknown. Hope you can fix it.
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08:19 PM
PFF
System Bot
Saxman Member
Posts: 5151 From: Melbourne, FL Registered: May 2005
Yeah - thanks for all the replies you guys. I think I'll check around for a cradle, but I don't think there are many around DC. I'll hit that arm with the wire wheel and see what's underneath when the cradle comes out. Know of any good cradles in Florida? I'm a Fla boy myself, so this kind of rust is a surprise. Kind of like when I found out that when you move away from central Florida, things freeze when you leave them outside all year.
The witch-hat nuts don't have much of a clean surface to weld to, but I'll have to dig around in there to see for sure. I was just happy to get those damn bolts out. It took my entire afternoon.
Musical instruments .. funny, Dave. Each time I think I have an easy project, it turns into a lot of work. I don't have time to improve my musical skill!
Thanks, TJM. I'll pick up the eBrake bracket when I order more of the wheel well liner plastic hold-downs.
I was going to go do more on it tonight, but I need a rest and a beer. More to come.
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08:38 PM
Saxman Member
Posts: 5151 From: Melbourne, FL Registered: May 2005
The only difference is in the 4 cylinder automatic cradle. It has an extra "shelf" on the left side for the goofy uni-mount bracket that the 4 cylinder automatic had. The other engines and trannies will bolt up just fine. The extra shelf will not be in the way, but it can be ground off if you don't want it.
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09:30 PM
Saxman Member
Posts: 5151 From: Melbourne, FL Registered: May 2005
Oh, forgot about the nuts fix.... weld a piece of flatstock to the long legs of the diamond base of the witch hat nuts, extend it past the point by about 3/4" . The stuff I used was some old flatstock from a bedframe I think, was about the same thickness as the nut base, and about 3/4" wide. was 2 years ago, so I don;t remember exactly. the longer pieces will keep it from spinning, and it will allow it to float so it can align with the bolt (that you will wire wheel clean and absolutley slather in neversieze, just like you will do to the inside of the nut.)
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12:42 AM
Saxman Member
Posts: 5151 From: Melbourne, FL Registered: May 2005
Oh, forgot about the nuts fix.... weld a piece of flatstock to the long legs of the diamond base of the witch hat nuts, extend it past the point by about 3/4" . The stuff I used was some old flatstock from a bedframe I think, was about the same thickness as the nut base, and about 3/4" wide. was 2 years ago, so I don;t remember exactly. the longer pieces will keep it from spinning, and it will allow it to float so it can align with the bolt (that you will wire wheel clean and absolutley slather in neversieze, just like you will do to the inside of the nut.)
I'm guessing that you had to put the nut and flat stock in the frame before you welded it or did you just cut a bigger hole?
Thanks for the advice-
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02:06 PM
fieroguru Member
Posts: 12131 From: Champaign, IL Registered: Aug 2003
The E-brake was workin' when I had the car...and the body panels I removed only had some minor rust spots...I hope you don't find any more surprises!!!!
Good luck with the swap, and thanks for creating the thread...
-FR
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04:26 PM
tjm4fun Member
Posts: 3781 From: Long Island, NY USA Registered: Feb 2006
these are the junkyards i could find that had some 88 fiero's that are somewhat near you
BTW im not sure they have a cradle, you'd have to call and check all 88 cradle's can be made to work on a v6 car, the auto 4cyl's just had that small shelf welded on, but it can easily be removed.
Thanks, MoshMan. I couldn't find any in their listings, but the search will go on. Cheers to you!
make sure to call them, alot of them will only list the easy to pull parts, i did searches for 88 control arms or brake calipers and came up with those locations.
matthew
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12:48 AM
Francis T Member
Posts: 6620 From: spotsylvania va. usa Registered: Oct 2003
We did check around this car and it was hidden on the cradle behind the wheel - and hard to see. It was a great deal, so this is not a deal-breaker or anything. So far, the rest of the car's steel looks good. I can't wait to get her back on the road. Chris is sending extra stuff, too, so that helps!
Back to the work: as of tonight, the cradle is resting on the dolly, so the car comes up off it next. Wahoo! Garage time is so theraputic. I feel like I've had an entire weekend, but it was only 2 hours under the car.
(Robert2 - I took off your quote. Thanks for reposting with some helpful info I appreciate it)
[This message has been edited by Saxman (edited 03-02-2008).]
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06:54 PM
Robert 2 Member
Posts: 2401 From: St Hubert Quebec Canada Registered: Jan 2006
More has been discovered. I showed the headlight covers to Lildevil and he showed me that it was not original paint. There was overspray on top of the old paint around the edges of the cover. I guess he is checking to see if it matches the 88 paint code, because the cover matches the rest of the car.
I tried to get a paintable hood from the salvage yard, and even found a red 87 with a few scratches on it, but no damage that went into the fiberglass (paint code is close, but not a perfect match for the 88 color). When the yard-tech pulled it, he crushed the back corners. It must have hit the ground too hard or something, so I couldn't use it. Bummer - and it was only $100!
I'm still in search of a hood...
I'll be back in the garage to start lifting the body off of the rear cradle tonight...
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05:04 PM
Robert 2 Member
Posts: 2401 From: St Hubert Quebec Canada Registered: Jan 2006
too bad we are too far we have around ten hoods here but i think the shipping price will be too high
Thanks, but I think you are right, Robert 2. There must be some hoods around here!
And thanks, Dave (bmw). The friggin' tolls getting up there make shipping a thought! If I can't find something decent closer, I may have to come get one. The beers are a gimme, since I owe you a few regardless!
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07:16 PM
Nov 16th, 2007
Saxman Member
Posts: 5151 From: Melbourne, FL Registered: May 2005
Got it out! Here is what I posted on the other thread... ___________________________________________________________________
OK, here it is - my ugly mug in the engine bay. It's tough to hit the time-delay on the camera, duck under the car and stand - all withing 7 seconds (with my big azz). Should I send it in to "Am I Hot or Not.com"?
I finally got that bastard-of-a-cradle out. The top of the strut assembly was hanging up on a small lip (lower pic). I can't believe that was enough to lift the passenger side of the cradle/engine off the dolly, but it was. I had to pry hard on it as the arm was lowered. "Sumb*tch" came to mind quite a few times.
Here's the lip that was hanging out - catching the top of the strut. You can see the shiny part 3-4 inches below the bolt hole) where it kept hanging up:
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03:42 PM
Saxman Member
Posts: 5151 From: Melbourne, FL Registered: May 2005
Thanks, Robert 2. I'll have to check what Kick Hill's price is - plus shipping. I have a line on 3 of there here, so we'll see what happens. At least it's out now...
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03:43 PM
Robert 2 Member
Posts: 2401 From: St Hubert Quebec Canada Registered: Jan 2006
I had no idea that arm was so rusted! 
