I removed the front nose on my '87 nGT and found what looks to be two blocks of some type of plastic reinforcement under there. They are just hanging under the car by two bolts. One on each side almost by the parking lights/turn signals. They don't seem to do anything, support or protect anything? Are they really needed? I see the reinforcement or honeycomb being needed but what the heck are they for? Parking lot stops? If anyone has a pic on how they are supposed to be mounted on the car, I'd appreciate that. Installing new factory bumper tomorrow! I can't believe how distorted a bumper that was stored and wrapped in shrink wrap is such a wrestling match to fit! Any ideas?
Are you talking about the honeycomb solid protrusions underneath the parking lamps?
I'd leave those there. They're part of the impact support system - that is, if you're hit in the front end, they'll help to alleviate some of the damage taken by the hit and could mean the different between just replacing an aero nose or replacing portions of the front space frame.
I've read elsewhere on PFF that those blocks were for protection during transportation from the factory and were supposed to be removed by the dealerships. What the truth is, is anybody's guess. I can't see them being useful in any kind of frontal collision.
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10:08 PM
Apr 10th, 2011
joshh44 Member
Posts: 2166 From: Nanaimo, B.C, Canada Registered: Aug 2007
sometime in december. i was going down a slight hill and hit a patch of ice on the road. at the end of the road was a blue metal dumpster. i believe it was empty but i ended up hitting it with the front corner of my fiero. a week later i was walking towards my car. and i noticed 2 odd shaped blocks hanging there. i thought to my self ill take a look at it when i get home. by the time i got home they were gone. they must have fallen off on my drive home. so i hope there not good for anything. because i no longer have thos funky looking corner block things anymore.
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02:44 AM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
I've read elsewhere on PFF that those blocks were for protection during transportation from the factory and were supposed to be removed by the dealerships. What the truth is, is anybody's guess. I can't see them being useful in any kind of frontal collision.
It seems improbable that the dealerships across the country could have been that clueless to leave so many in place, especially by the time the 88s were rolling out. However, they are mounted in the most peculiar way that doesn't seem like they would absorb much if any force in a collision. I personally wouldn't have a problem leaving them off.
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03:18 AM
Patrick Member
Posts: 36239 From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Registered: Apr 99
I thought I read just recently here that they helped support the front end when the car was being picked up/transported by the old-fashioned style tow-trucks (with that big black sling thing).
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 04-10-2011).]
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03:23 AM
Tinkrr Member
Posts: 412 From: Whitby,ON, Canada Registered: Aug 2004
Don't trash them before listing them in the mall, even if only for the cost of shipping. Somebody might want them either to keep their car as original as possible, or even for what they were intended for. Nobody's making these parts anymore so you never know.
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12:10 PM
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Patrick Member
Posts: 36239 From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Registered: Apr 99
Right from the GM published 1984 manual for tow truck drivers towing instructions. It looks like all GM vehicles of the day that did not have steel bumpers had these tow blocks in some form placed at the same universal dimensions as a Fiero.
Fred
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12:21 PM
Tinkrr Member
Posts: 412 From: Whitby,ON, Canada Registered: Aug 2004
Right from the GM published 1984 manual for tow truck drivers towing instructions. It looks like all GM vehicles of the day that did not have steel bumpers had these tow blocks in some form placed at the same universal dimensions as a Fiero.
Fred
Wow, that explains a lot! Thanks for posting it!
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09:57 PM
BtotheB Member
Posts: 2581 From: Peterborough, Ontario Registered: Dec 2001
Right from the GM published 1984 manual for tow truck drivers towing instructions. It looks like all GM vehicles of the day that did not have steel bumpers had these tow blocks in some form placed at the same universal dimensions as a Fiero.
Thanks for posting... Just when I thought I had heard every piece of Fiero trivia, something new comes along.
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11:25 PM
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jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001