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| 88 Cradle Rot (Page 1/2) |
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V8 Formula
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JUN 24, 01:33 PM
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I was driving my Formula to the grocery store last week when it started handling all weird. When I got to the store, the rear driver's side wheel was skewed out toward the front. So I gently drove it back home and parked it.
Yesterday, I pulled the wheel off and this rusty rotted mess is what I found:
Grrr...
So my questions:
1) Should I replace the cradle or try to have it repaired?
2) If I replace it, can I use a cradle from any '88 or do I need to get a cradle from an 88 V6 car?
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Rick Stewart
Yellow 5-spd Formula
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Patrick
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JUN 24, 02:14 PM
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Uh oh... a rusted cradle may be the least of your problems.
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cvxjet
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JUN 24, 02:18 PM
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88 cradles are all the same. And I would replace it- no telling how bad it is on the inside in some places. Start looking on "Row 52" in your area...also, you can check with The Fiero Store, and the Fiero Factory in Toney, AL....# is (256) 420-5391....and post in the Mall "88 Cradle Wanted".....
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V8 Formula
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JUN 24, 05:16 PM
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Patrick- Ack, that one's got the cancer for sure! Fortunately, my trunk and other areas are clean and rust free. I don't feel so bad now!
cvxjet- Thanks. I'll check those places and local junk yards. Sadly, car-parts.com doesn't list a "cradle" as searchable. (Edited) Oops, my bad- it's listed as "Engine Cradle".
Rick[This message has been edited by V8 Formula (edited 06-24-2019).]
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Patrick
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JUN 24, 05:21 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by V8 Formula:
Patrick- Ack, that one's got the cancer for sure! Fortunately, my trunk and other areas are clean and rust free.
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Rick, what are the chances that your cradle is rotted and your upper frame rails aren't?  Have you actually removed your rear plastic wheel well liners and had a good look up there? 
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V8 Formula
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JUN 24, 05:54 PM
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Yes, I removed the wheel well liners and my trunk carpet when I ran my backup camera wire- not a bit of rust! Kind of relieved to ONLY need a cradle!
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Gall757
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JUN 24, 06:00 PM
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Is that the cradle mount that is under the battery? Usually the trunk and frame rails are a mess before the cradle gets like that.
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V8 Formula
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JUN 24, 06:04 PM
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No, it's the driver's side cradle beam where the suspension attaches- under the air cleaner. Surprisingly, the battery tray is OK. It almost looks like it sat for a long time in a muddy field without wheels. There was mud all caked up around the suspension attaching points. [This message has been edited by V8 Formula (edited 06-24-2019).]
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Patrick
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JUN 24, 06:14 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by V8 Formula:
It almost looks like it sat for a long time in a muddy field without wheels. There was mud all caked up around the suspension attaching points.
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Interesting. Not the usual rot due to salted roads then.
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olejoedad
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JUN 24, 06:28 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by cvxjet:
88 cradles are all the same. And I would replace it- no telling how bad it is on the inside in some places. Start looking on "Row 52" in your area...also, you can check with The Fiero Store, and the Fiero Factory in Toney, AL....# is (256) 420-5391....and post in the Mall "88 Cradle Wanted"..... |
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Uh, no, they are not.
The 4 cylinder auto cradles have an outboard shelf on the driver side for the transmission mount. The mount under the water pump is also different than on the V-6 cradle.
I would look for a V-6 cradle.
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