This '88GT is a recovery project - only 40k miles, but many years stored in the sun. It finally runs fine, but has so much road feedback and bump steer that it is uncomfortable. I know the redesigned '88 suspension doesn't include a steering damper, but something seems to be wrong.
What is the likeliest source of the feedback problem?
On another post someone mentioned a Rodney Dickman kit for the '88, but I did not find it on his website. It would be easy to fabricate brackets to fit a damper from another car.
No need for a damper on an 88! The first thing to worry about is alignment. The 88 suspension will track like a go-kart with a good alignment....and the alignment specs are for the 88 only, so if somebody was sloppy or just did it like any Fiero it is wrong, and you will notice it while driving. The second thing to worry about is tires. Old tires get hard, and some new tires are too hard. Avoid tires with a high mileage warranty. The only way that happens is with a hard compound rubber. Get the softest tires you can find. The rest of it is the usual maintenance stuff like bushings, shocks and struts, and you will be very happy with the handling with no added components.
Excellent - thanks! It's good to know that the potential for that front suspension is very high. I'll work on it.
The tires are about 16 years old, and most of that time the car was stored in the sun. Tread is good, but perhaps they just need replacing. This week it will get new shocks/struts and - in the rear - urethane bushings, and then will get a good alignment.
I would check all the bushings front/rear and all suspension bolts for proper torque. Then get it aligned (using the 88 specific alignment specs). The upper a-arm might have slipped and caused a severe toe out condition which will make the front end very darty.
The other common issue with the 88 suspension is in the rear where the long bolt that connects the lateral links to the uprights becomes loose and allows the rear wheels to "turn" in an out slightly.
The chassis may only have 40k miles on it, but the car is still 26 years old. And 26 year old parts can deteriorate, even when not in use. Take a good look at the existing parts and see what's going bad. Because if an '88 Fiero suspension is suffering from bump-steer and poor handling, something is definitely going bad.
The first thing to check would be the tires. If the rubber is starting to dry-rot, the tires need to be replaced. And if the air pressure is low, it can degrade the handling.
Next thing to check is the shock absorbers. Worn out shocks will degrade handling. While you're at it, you might as well jack up the front end and do the "wiggle test" on the front wheels. Grab the wheel at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock position, and try to wiggle it side to side. Then grab the wheel at the 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock positions, and try to wiggle it up and down.
Also, after checking the above, have the alignment checked.
