I've been looking for the sliders to fit the front brake calipers on my 88 GT. I can't seem to find them anywhere. Rodney doesn't have them and the Fiero Store only carries the bolts but not the sliders. Haven't been able to find them on eBay either. In the mean time I pulled them out of the passenger side and cleaned and lubricated them but they are not in great shape with obvious signs of scraping and "chattering" kind of nicks and marks. I'll probably do the drivers side tonight.
Are these things really that rare? If so I might go back to Pin N Pull and grab a pair from an 88 I've seen there.
Edited to ask..... Does anyone know if there are other GM models that use the same sliders?
------------------ John Wayne as John Bernard Books in The Shootist... " I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."
My rides... 1988 GT with a 3.4L V6 automatic 2006 Harley Sportster 'cause I love the twisties on two wheels or four.
[This message has been edited by Rsvl-Rider (edited 09-04-2015).]
I normally just sand the corrosion off, lube, and re-install.
The only other "similar" caliper is from the rear of the late 80's AWD Pontiac STE. They had solid rear rotors, so the bridges are narrower. The 88 Fiero parts are popular compared to those.
I normally just sand the corrosion off, lube, and re-install.
The only other "similar" caliper is from the rear of the late 80's AWD Pontiac STE. They had solid rear rotors, so the bridges are narrower. The 88 Fiero parts are popular compared to those.
LOL Beat me by fifteen seconds!
I didn't realize those were narrower though. I've pirated the pad springs off a few in the junkyard, but those won't differ between Fiero and 6000.
I'd buy a 6000 AWD if I could ever come across a nice one. I like those various odd GM cars.
I normally just sand the corrosion off, lube, and re-install.
I cleaned them up, lubed them and reinstalled. These pics are right after cleaning. They still look pretty rough to me. Wish I had replacements instead. I'll test drive it this weekend and hope for the best.
[This message has been edited by Rsvl-Rider (edited 09-05-2015).]
I'm with you. If I have to work on it now, I'd as soon it be perfect. So, I replace, which leads to lots of used parts. These can't be hard to make, though.
could you not go to a machine shop and have some made? I am pretty sure they are just hardened aluminum or alloy.
I hadn't thought of that. Sounds expensive though when the other year parts are just a few bucks. I'll keep it in mind if my recent maintenance doesn't do the trick and I can't find a decent set somewhere.
the way with computers now if it is just a metal sleeve it should be pretty easy to scan and have someone make. probably 100 for setup and couple bucks a slider. now make a 100 and sell them for?? 10 a slider or so and make your money back and then some.
I could look at this if there is enough demand. I would guess they are hardened steel out of a very high grade steel. Possibly hard chrome plated. Certainly center-less ground to a very high surface finish. Maybe somehow polished after the center less grinding? Not just that easy to have made. These have to be very precision and have a very polished surface finish. I should have the slider boots made. I have always heard the ones available do not fit well.
------------------ 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
Hmmm. At $10 for both sides, sure. I may need a set someday. I guess it depends on price. I'm an ignorant consumer. While I realize that there are lots of development costs, I know that things are discussed and we show interest, then they are developed, and the price is high and demand vaporizes. I guess my interest all depends on price.
Rodney, can you machine the parts yourself, or is everything outsourced? Reason I ask, is that while I no longer have access to a machine shop, I do have someone who makes molds and dies. In theory, they could make just about anything. Right now, they have a side business making engine parts for a drag racing team. I have no samples of the sliders, and no way to verbalize the specifics of making them.
Anyone still remember the cam-driven green screw machines, with a multi-tool and a tube feeder, powered by the big belts? Got rid of the last one.
Machines can now do the job, and text or call you when the job is complete. The only thing they don't do is clean up all the little metal filings that get everywhere.
It wasn't until I got my Formula two years ago that I discovered '88 caliper slider boots are next to impossible to find replacements for. Fortunately mine are fine... for now.
I was just going to say the same thing. I would put those in a vise, cut a strip of wet sand sandpaper ( maybe 250-400 grade) and smooth th out a little. Note to self....grab " good condition" front sliders from 88's whenever an 88 is at a yard. Kit
I could look at this if there is enough demand. I would guess they are hardened steel out of a very high grade steel. Possibly hard chrome plated. Certainly center-less ground to a very high surface finish. Maybe somehow polished after the center less grinding? Not just that easy to have made. These have to be very precision and have a very polished surface finish. I should have the slider boots made. I have always heard the ones available do not fit well.
Agreed! They don't fit quite right, and they dry rot in minutes. (less than a year) I've found that the original ones, if not torn or broken should be wiped off, re-greased and reused.
IMO, the sliders SHOULD have been polished 304 or some other 300 grade of stainless. It's easy to machine and will last forever without pitting from corrosion, and strength wouldn't be compromised. Considering the caliper around them is aluminum, I wouldn't expect the slider's to have been made with anything tougher than some crap grade steel, that is simply chrome plated for corrosion resistance.
If they are chrome plated they are hard chrome plated because hard chrome is very, very tough.
------------------ 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
I could look at this if there is enough demand. I would guess they are hardened steel out of a very high grade steel. Possibly hard chrome plated. Certainly center-less ground to a very high surface finish. Maybe somehow polished after the center less grinding? Not just that easy to have made. These have to be very precision and have a very polished surface finish. I should have the slider boots made. I have always heard the ones available do not fit well.
quote
Originally posted by Rodney:
If they are chrome plated they are hard chrome plated because hard chrome is very, very tough.
Nothing of the sort is even remotely close to being required. These parts ride in an aluminum bore and the surface speed is ZERO. They could almost be pot metal. GM used the CHEAPEST crap they could get. I had to bead blast one. It is definitely NOT hard chromed. It is also quite soft, as I had to strike it pretty hard to get it out and marked the end significantly.
Threadsurrection! I just cleaned and regreased my rear sliders. I didn't know the boots and sliders were NLA until I started. My RR was lightly pitted, just enough to be seized, but came unstuck fairly easily. Those two clean up with isolated pitting and most of the original surface remaining. On the LR, one was a disaster and one was pristine.
I made a sketch of the one pristine part while it was out, but I don't think I'll have time to whip up a model and a print until Tuesday.
On the plus side, hand brake travel is half of what it was before and brake pedal take up is MUCH improved.
quote
Originally posted by Fierobsessed:
IMO, the sliders SHOULD have been polished 304 or some other 300 grade of stainless. It's easy to machine and will last forever without pitting from corrosion, and strength wouldn't be compromised. Considering the caliper around them is aluminum, I wouldn't expect the slider's to have been made with anything tougher than some crap grade steel, that is simply chrome plated for corrosion resistance.
This, exactly. The reason the sliders corrode and seize in the first place is that GM used cheap crappy steel in them. Since the maintenance mode is corrosion, the natural preventive is to use stainless. 304 as mentioned to last almost forever or 321 if you want to spend some money and have it last literally forever.
[This message has been edited by Will (edited 11-04-2017).]
