'84 - '87 Manual Transmission Axle Replacement - Step by Step Photo Log (Page 3/4)
FirstDrCar DEC 04, 08:54 PM
Very nice write-up. I appreciate the detail and pictures. I am placing this into my Favorites
Twilight Fenrir OCT 02, 11:39 PM
Free bump, as it's something I'm going to have to do pretty quick here... Thanks!

my '84 SE's loosing transmission oil around the drivers-side axle of my Muncie 4spd... I thought for sure pulling the axle would be really involved, and require me to get an alignment... I'm just thrilled that it looks like it can be easily done in one afternoon! Never had an axle out before, so I was a little worried about the process... you make it look easy.

Thanks again!

[This message has been edited by Twilight Fenrir (edited 10-02-2011).]

deezil MAR 15, 09:46 AM
How much different would this step by step be on a 1988 GT?

Or is there a write up on the 88s only someone could point me to?
Bloozberry MAR 15, 12:08 PM
It would be the same procedure except that there is no rear tie rod on the '88's to remove, nor is there any lower ball joint so just ignore those steps. On the earlier models some people have found that there is enough room to pull the axle out of the transmission without disconnecting the lower ball joint, so on the '88 you may be able to get by without disconnecting the two lower links, which replace the lower ball joint. Many people have found that removing the two lower links can be very difficult since the single bolt that holds them in place often seizes to the knuckle. If this is the case, you will almost certainly have to remove the bearing assembly from the knuckle as shown above to give you the room to pull the axle far enough outboard to get it out of the transmission. The rest is pretty much the same.

If you're not sure what I'm talking about, once you get the wheel off and have a look, it should become a lot clearer. If not, then just start a new thread and I (or others) will be able to help you out if and when you get stuck.
mcguiver3 MAR 15, 01:05 PM
I hope I didn't miss this in your thread but definitely drain the trany fluid in the manual units.
It saves a lot of clean up.
Bloozberry MAR 15, 01:10 PM
I did post something about it... you only lose about a liter (quart) of oil if you pull the axles out without draining it, so as long as you have a pan under the seal area it's not absolutely necessary to drain the transmission. Automatic trannies will drain a lot more as mentioned elsewhere.
Arns85GT JUL 10, 03:12 PM
Thanks for a detailed and well presented lesson +

Arn
CheshireGrin NOV 01, 10:58 AM
Cant give you another + but can thank you again.
Very informative and clearly written.
Thanks for taking the time
Ryan
hypo327 NOV 16, 06:16 PM
Bloozberry, When you finally kick the bucket, they need to place a gold wrench in your hand, inscribed, "King of the Fiero Forum," or something like that...lol! You the man! I just got through successfully doing a 3.4 swap on my '86 Fiero, and, thanks to all the help, from guys like you, it started right up and purred like a kitten (video on you tube.) Sadly when I took her to town for a maiden run, my Getrag selector locked between 4th and 5th, and I couldn't get it out no matter what I did. It happened once before on me, about a year ago, but it cleared after I towed it home, and didn't give me any more problems until now. I happen to have another low mileage '88 Getrag that I'm going to replace the locked-up one with.

Well, I dropped the cradle again and have it sitting on my garage floor dolly, but I've never pulled a Fiero axle before, so this thread is FANTASTIC for me! Thanks so much! And the yellow components make it perfect! I did install new bearings and hubs about 6-months ago, so I was somewhat familiar with the process, but good instructions and pictures (especially when they are so well done and concise...right down to torque specs and everything...well, that's just excellent! What more can I say...?! :-)
hypo327 NOV 24, 09:42 PM
I finished swapping the '88 Getrage, I had as a back-up, with my '86 Getrag with the stuck selector. Following this guide thread, made it an easy job, but I have one problem. I put two quarts of Pennzoil Synchromesh oil in while sitting on my cradle dolly, but when I checked the dip-stick ( the '88 Getrag has one) the oil level barely hits the end of the dip-stick...well below the add line! Two quarts is all I ever put in my '86, so does the '88 hold more oil for some reason, or does it just measure different when in the car?