My 1988 LFX F40 build. (Page 54/68)
Daryl M OCT 03, 07:46 PM
At the risk of appearing foolish, I have to fess up. I made many mistakes that led up to this issue. These are the big ones.
1. Leaks in the hydrolic line.
2. The left axle was not incerted all the way into the diff.
It looks like the transmission is fine. I just need to be more careful with my mechanic work.
sourmash OCT 03, 08:01 PM
Well the pics and discussion will help someone. It helped me understand them a little better.
Joseph Upson OCT 04, 05:27 AM

quote
Originally posted by Daryl M:

At the risk of appearing foolish, I have to fess up. I made many mistakes that led up to this issue. These are the big ones.
1. Leaks in the hydrolic line.
2. The left axle was not incerted all the way into the diff.
It looks like the transmission is fine. I just need to be more careful with my mechanic work.



It takes a lot of character to come back and admit a mistake like that after all of the unnecessary labor that has resulted from it. It's also encouragement I believe for those of us trying to help to be more critical and insist that one check those little details that we tend to assume are too simple to miss and forgo mentioning them.
Raydar OCT 04, 04:41 PM

quote
Originally posted by Daryl M:

At the risk of appearing foolish, I have to fess up. I made many mistakes that led up to this issue. These are the big ones.
1. Leaks in the hydrolic line.
2. The left axle was not incerted all the way into the diff.
It looks like the transmission is fine. I just need to be more careful with my mechanic work.



Ya' know... Zhit happens.
You are also not the first Fiero person to make those identical mistakes. Probably not even this year.

Onward and upward...
Daryl M OCT 04, 05:27 PM
Thanks for the encouragement. When I started this project, I think I mentioned that I hadn't done much mechanic work since I was in my early 20s. That was 40 years ago. A lot has changed about cars since then. I am learning, but not without a bunch of trial and error. Retirement is not as easy as it looks.
Joseph Upson OCT 04, 07:25 PM
If it makes you feel even better, I put my first Fiero clutch disc on backwards, not realizing it was possible and not bothering to check, upon looking at the disc before install and seeing it was offset different on both sides. The symptom was failure to fully disengage and difficulty shifting into first, like in the F40 at times, until the springs wore down enough to clear the flywheel bolts. The clutch lining came apart after about 200 miles of driving, or less.
Daryl M OCT 04, 08:39 PM

quote
Originally posted by Joseph Upson:

If it makes you feel even better, I put my first Fiero clutch disc on backwards, not realizing it was possible and not bothering to check, upon looking at the disc before install and seeing it was offset different on both sides. The symptom was failure to fully disengage and difficulty shifting into first, like in the F40 at times, until the springs wore down enough to clear the flywheel bolts. The clutch lining came apart after about 200 miles of driving, or less.


Oh no!, I guess I have a 50/50 chance. What way does the offset go?
Joseph Upson OCT 05, 09:09 AM

quote
Originally posted by Daryl M:

Oh no!, I guess I have a 50/50 chance. What way does the offset go?



It should be stamped, or labeled on the clutch disc, but from the situation I had with the stock clutch, the highest offset side goes toward the pressure plate, which moves the dampening springs away from the flywheel bolts.

If you don't recall specifying that detail during assembly, it's cause for concern, as even if the springs do not interfere with the flywheel bolts, the reverse direction of rotation as it relates to contact shearing forces may still cause the lining adherence to fail, as was the case for me.

[This message has been edited by Joseph Upson (edited 10-05-2020).]

Will OCT 05, 11:09 AM

quote
Originally posted by Daryl M:

2. The left axle was not incerted all the way into the diff.



Just coming back to this thread after a little bit...

That was what I was going to suggest you check. As FieroGuru noted, the transmission would have to be SERIOUSLY broken for this not to be the problem.

Good to hear it wasn't.
Daryl M OCT 05, 12:08 PM

quote
Originally posted by Joseph Upson:


It should be stamped, or labeled on the clutch disc, but from the situation I had with the stock clutch, the highest offset side goes toward the pressure plate, which moves the dampening springs away from the flywheel bolts.

If you don't recall specifying that detail during assembly, it's cause for concern, as even if the springs do not interfere with the flywheel bolts, the reverse direction of rotation as it relates to contact shearing forces may still cause the lining adherence to fail, as was the case for me.




Looks like I got lucky. I guessed that would be the logical way it goes. Good to know there are so many knowledgeable people willing to give advice. Thanks again to all that give input.