Rescuing my dads old Fiero GT 1987 (Page 7/23)
fierofool OCT 17, 11:30 PM

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Originally posted by RWDPLZ:


The Fiero seat belts use an uncommon pendulum system, so they do lock in sudden stops when they need to, but not the annoying way modern seatbelts do when they're moved quickly.





I've also found that they will lock up on a very steep hill if you stop. Only way to get them unlocked is to hold the shoulder strap in position while sliding the seat back or leaning the seat back.
Repulsiv OCT 18, 07:17 AM

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Originally posted by fierofool:

If you're only doing the headliner, you don't need to remove the seats.



Ah, thats good, even if I now probably should remove the driver seat anyway to get rid of all the water..


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The front speakers are 4 x 10s. https://www.crutchfield.com...-Speakers.html?tp=99 It's likely that yours still has the original Pontiac speakers. Aftermarket speakers don't have the same harness ends. To avoid splicing your speaker wires, you can get an adapter that plugs into the factory harness, then onto the aftermarket speakers. https://www.crutchfield.com...-Wiring-Harness.html



I looked it up, they are pretty expensive in sweden.. around $160.. but I probably could order online.. however, I will first remove the old ones and see if they are cracked.


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When removing the headliner, there are two 'gotcha' areas. Remove the lenses from the overhead lighting console and look for screws hidden up inside. The other is the A pillar trim. The retaining tabs often get broken because people are unfamiliar with their design. Even an upholstery shop broke one on my 87, but they had the proper glue to glue the tab back on.



Would be nice to see a image of how they look like so i dont break them



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The trim strip that tucks the headliner in around the sunroof will usually have gotten stiff and shrunken over the years. You can place it in a pan of warm water and soften it. Start by installing one end at the sunroof latch and stretch it just a small bit as you work your way around.




Probably even worse in this cold weather in sweden..
Repulsiv OCT 18, 08:07 AM

quote
Originally posted by RWDPLZ:
The Fiero seat belts use an uncommon pendulum system, so they do lock in sudden stops when they need to, but not the annoying way modern seatbelts do when they're moved quickly.

http://articles.chicagotrib...s-strapped-in-safety



Never seen those before, but i googled for it and found an explanation here in a thread here on PFF



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Originally posted by agranlund:

My registration papers also says something about seatbelt exemption. They don't lock when you pull them quickly as in all "normal" cars but I think they lock properly when braking or crashing (as in, if you yank the seatbelts while breaking they should lock?).
"Bilbesiktningen" has never said anything about the belts in my car.

I crashed a Fiero once, many many years ago, the seatbelts behaved the same as in my current car and they stopped me properly in the crash.



A, a fellow Swede ..Good that bilprovningen is aware of how they work.. or at least, sometimes ..I guess it can be a bit hard to do a function test on them.

I know that SAAB's (at least 9000) have both the "G-type" lock, and the normal "pull fast" lock at the same time.


I was alos a bit afraid that they would complain on the VIN-plate, since I heard they do not approve those anymore, but yesterday I saw that the VIN also was stamped beside the rear shocks when I lifted the engine hood..
fierofool OCT 18, 08:09 AM
If you do remove your seats, put some never seize on the studs before reinstalling them.

Be cautious on your speakers. Large magnet speakers won't fit on the driver's side due to the metal support bar underneath. Same goes for the B pillar speakers. There's almost no extra clearance behind the speaker for a larger magnet.

I think I have an A pillar trim in my storage. I'll check and post a picture if I do.
fierofool OCT 18, 09:40 AM
This is the left hand A pillar trim.

The lower end where it fits to the dash.
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There should be another clip like the one on the left, in the vacant space.
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And the tab that's at the top near where the trim tucks underneath the B pillar trim. I think due to the angle that it fits into the metal clip attached to the body is what causes people to break it. They try to pull it out horizontally.
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Repulsiv OCT 18, 03:29 PM
Great, I will study that when i remove them would be nice to get the inner roof out to see where it leak and also make it as new again..

I took some photo of it yesterday, I probably should post it, not very nice..
Repulsiv OCT 18, 03:36 PM
This is how it look like, it actually look better in the photo..



..And this is how the car look right now..



I booked a time witth he tyre-guy next week (thursday), thats why the wheels are off, and I will try to change oil and filter before that.. then I might be able to do a (illegal) testdrive, becaue I haven't driven the car at all yet..


I also talked to my dad on phone today, and asked him about the gearbox, he said it was NOT that hard to shift before, so probably some oil in the right places will fix it.. I sprayed 5-56 on the joints I could see, hope it will work.. otherwise I have to do something more serious.

He seem to be happy that I do things with the car, i dont think he liked that it was just standing there. ..he also told me he originally was going to buy a red fiero with automatic instead of manual gearbox, but finally bought this one instead, good for me, I sure prefere manual.

[This message has been edited by Repulsiv (edited 10-18-2017).]

Rexgirl OCT 18, 04:43 PM
Charlie, Can you tell us the pulling angles needed to remove each of the A trim tabs? And can the front of the panel be removed with the dash in place? The pictures are a great help but I would like to be sure.
fierofool OCT 18, 06:31 PM
The white plastic tabs need to be depressed with something slid underneath the trim. Pulling on the trim will sometimes break the spring steel clip loose from the trim. The tab that's cast onto the top slips into a spring steel clip on the body. It pulls straight down. The orientation in the last picture is the way it fits up to the top of the car if you were looking at it from outside. The mobile headliner guy that did my 87 pulled the trim loose horizontally and broke that tab off. As said, he had the special glue for that type plastic and glued it back on.

The trim can be removed without removing the dash.

Rexgirl, good to see you on again. By the way, Repulsiv, don't try to remove the B pillar speaker grills. They're molded onto the B pillar trim panel.

[This message has been edited by fierofool (edited 10-18-2017).]

Rexgirl OCT 19, 01:58 AM
Thank you Charlie. You are always so nice, and helpful. Would you know the name of that special glue or the type of plastic the trim is made of?
And Repulsiv, very cool you are restoring your father's GT.