quote Originally posted by randye: After carefully measuring what I needed for the assembled length, plus allowance for adjustments, I cut the OEM rod length to approx. 4.312 from the center of the eye to the end and threaded it a little over 1.50 inches The S-10 booster rod was threaded about 1.25 inches. The jam nut and coupling nut was threaded down all the way on the S-10 booster rod threads and set with Loctite. After installing the booster in the car, the OEM rod was adjusted to the perfect length, attached to the brake pedal and the jam nut secured to the coupling nut with Loctite thread locker. The whole rod assembly is very secure with plenty of thread engagement, (>3X thread diameter of both rods). So far I'm pretty happy with the improvement in braking.

This was WRONG advice for me. i cut my Fiero rod off at 4 3/8" from the center of the hole and cut the S10 rod off as long as i could make it. BUT my Fiero rod is at least 1/2 inch too short, and even tho i backed it out of the long nut 1/4" the brake light won't shut off. i have got to go to the junkyard Monday and get another Fiero rod cut to AT LEAST 5", or better yet, 5 1/4". i also wouldn't have 3x thread diameter if i were to back off the Fiero rod far enuf to disengage the brake light. i think that the brake light being on all the time is an indication that the atmospheric pressure valve is partially open as, altho i have much better braking, i only get one braking event before needing to "reload" the vacuum.

jon

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Astronomy says we will find a coded signal from outer space. Then we'll KNOW that life exists there, for coded signals aren't by chance.

Biology says there are coded genetic signals in every cell, but we KNOW that no intelligence created life.

I'm the original owner of a white ' 84 2M4 purchased Dec 10, 1983 from Pontiac. Always garaged, no rust, 4-wheel drifts are fun!

[This message has been edited by Red98422 (edited 10-13-2018).]

quote Originally posted by Red98422: Long john: if you used a grinder to cut the rod it could have heated the inside of the booster....I was having trouble on my first install with building boost I had to get another booster and use a hack saw to keep it cool As for engagement to the brake light switch, I was also short just under .25” so I moved the light switch tab to activate at its new location, where the pedal sits is mostly irrelevant as long as you have the appropriate throw to engage the booster/master. A quick test that I learned after the first booster was to suck on the end of the check valve and see if it holds vacuum....or I guess you could use a pump. This will tell you if it has a leak internally pretty quick. You could als just get another long nut thread it to your existing long nut then continue as originally intended. This should make up for your half inch and you should have better than 3x thread engagement then. ETA: this is also on my ‘84

My chop saw cuts so quickly that i doubt that it heated anything internally. im gonna do what you said for now, and get another rod from the junkyard later when i make another trip. My calculations were WAY off, i thot that i only needed to add 2" and that 4 3/8 " would be way more than enuf. NOT. However,i wanna drive till i take it off the road for the winter, so anything to get her on the road for another 2 weeks. The brakes are awesome even so. Good idea about sucking on the vacuum fitting. i'll try it. i doubt that i've lost vacuum, but you never know.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Every time this 12 year old thread comes up, I can't help but feel that too many of you have been skipping leg day at the gym.

Maybe this is boring for you, but this forum is not a social club for me but rather a resource of information that helps me keep my car on the road and performing better all the time. However, since i just saw this thread a coupla months ago, its fresh for me and i have enjoyed my brakes a lot so far. i'm glad i have done the mod, even with the hiccup of the rod length. i'm sure that its the right length for Randye but it wasn't for me, shoulda known better. Thanks to all who have made this thread what it is - a blessing to all Fiero owners.

jon

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Astronomy says we will find a coded signal from outer space. Then we'll KNOW that life exists there, for coded signals aren't by chance.

Biology says there are coded genetic signals in every cell, but we KNOW that no intelligence created life.

I'm the original owner of a white ' 84 2M4 purchased Dec 10, 1983 from Pontiac. Always garaged, no rust, 4-wheel drifts are fun!

Patrick: FWIW, some of us have to skip legs to fit into our beloved cars as we are owners of the ultra rare non-adjustable steering column!!!

[This message has been edited by Red98422 (edited 10-14-2018).]