84-87 rear spindle - why not swap out for a newer GM FWD spindle w/ large brakes? (Page 4/6)
qwikgta MAY 25, 06:10 PM

quote
Originally posted by jscott1:


All I want is to be able to mount Corvette wheels without using adapters and experiencing catastrophic bearing failure. Like you said it's probably been done 20 different ways but I'm not smart enough to know which is the "best" way to achieve what I'm trying to do. I need one of you smart guys to build something that I can bolt on. Oh and I need it for an 88 and I need two sets. How hard is that?



I'm in, 2x for me as well.
Rickady88GT MAY 25, 06:49 PM

quote
Originally posted by jscott1:


All I want is to be able to mount Corvette wheels without using adapters and experiencing catastrophic bearing failure. Like you said it's probably been done 20 different ways but I'm not smart enough to know which is the "best" way to achieve what I'm trying to do. I need one of you smart guys to build something that I can bolt on. Oh and I need it for an 88 and I need two sets. How hard is that?



LOL, I like your style.
I have wanted to machine hubs in a CNC to be able to use larger bearings. BUT I do not have a CNC. SO,.. it could be as easy as sending me a HAAS TM3 wired for 5 axis and a tilting rotory table
jscott1 MAY 25, 06:55 PM

quote
Originally posted by Rickady88GT:


LOL, I like your style.
I have wanted to machine hubs in a CNC to be able to use larger bearings. BUT I do not have a CNC. SO,.. it could be as easy as sending me a HAAS TM3 wired for 5 axis and a tilting rotory table



Well I priced out what that would cost and looks like I'll be shopping for wheel adapters and just keep my life insurance paid up.
RacerX11 MAY 25, 10:21 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Mender, just to clarify... which struts do you use?


You can use Fiero struts with the A-body heavy duty knuckles.

mender MAY 25, 10:40 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Mender, just to clarify... which struts do you use?



84-87 Fiero struts. Konis the first year, then KYBs after the rules changed, and now back to the Konis after another rule change.

[This message has been edited by mender (edited 05-25-2020).]

Patrick MAY 25, 11:03 PM

quote
Originally posted by RacerX11:

You can use Fiero struts with the A-body heavy duty knuckles.




quote
Originally posted by mender:

84-87 Fiero struts.



Great, that'll be good to know for anyone considering the A-body knuckle swap into their '84-'87 Fiero.
lou_dias MAY 26, 09:44 AM
A few years ago, I remember seeing one of those Factory Five 818 supercar kits ... they used a 2003-2007 WRX or Impreza suspension (spindles and all) and remarking how similar it looked like the 88 suspension...



At 3:19 on this video you get a nice view of the rear spindle and what looks like an 88-like tri-link design.

At 1:36 you see the front setup. It would be funny to put a Fiero body kit on this 818 car...


This video here shows an Outback knuckle...but I can't imagine they'd be terribly different... When combined with the Subaru bearing (and struts) and outer CV...it looks like it may work...


Axle nut is M22 vs M20 on the Fiero...
https://www.dormanproducts....p-30034-615-160.aspx

[This message has been edited by lou_dias (edited 05-26-2020).]

Raydar MAY 26, 04:43 PM

quote
Originally posted by mender:

That's what I run on my Chumpcar Fiero. 1990 P6000 wagon hubs, spindles, and outer axle stubs. Big bearing, 5 x 115 wheel bolt pattern. No failures or issues. Other Fieros that get used for endurance racing seem to shed rear hubs regularly. Use the non-ABS hubs.



Thank you!
By the lack of comments, I thought that maybe I had hallucinated that.
Not that I have anything at stake, one way or the other. (And I knew I didn't do that many drugs in HS.)

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 05-26-2020).]

mender MAY 26, 11:14 PM


Here's a picture of my bump steer eliminator on the right side of my '87 Chumpcar Fiero with the A-body spindles, hubs and Fiero struts. Rear link puts the outer pivot in the same plane as the lower ball joint and makes for quick toe adjustment. I used a longer bolt through the inner control arm bushing (Lemforder monoball now) to hold the inner heim on the toe link.

If this is used with the stock rubber bushings, the outer wheel will toe in under the cornering forces because of the solid rear link and the rubber control arm bushings. That also occurs with the stock toe link and that deflection might be what most people are feeling as bumpsteer. Any deflection or slop in the bushings will result in toe-out during braking, just before switching to toe-in when in the corner so it can make the rear move around a fair bit on corner entry. That seems to be largely taken care of with poly bushings, so I think that should be a first step as has been mentioned by several people.


Here's a trial fit of the left side on the bench. I added a tab that bolts to the part of the spindle that sticks down onto the square tubing for strength.

Rear brakes are 313 mm front rotors off a 2006? Jetta drilled for a 5 x 115 bolt pattern, with C4 Corvette HD front calipers. I don't need any more brake than that on the rear even for racing, no ducting so far and they're good.

[This message has been edited by mender (edited 05-27-2020).]

sourmash MAY 27, 09:11 AM
Trying to wrap my head around this as a newb. Thank you for the tutorial and hope I understand this.