No one seems to be able to align '88 Fiero's correctly. This time in a way they have an excuse because I can't find the '88 alignment settings (computer crashed). Can someone look in the '88 manual and check for me? Any other ideas if that doesn't work?

thanks,
jeff

I can't help you with the specs, but I can sympathize with what you're going through. I have yet to find anyone in Colorado who knows how to align '88s either!

When I bought my first Fiero back in 1990 (a black '88 GT) I took it in to Goodyear for new tires and an alignment. They quoted me $150 for the alignment because they had to "rotate the balljoints". I said nevermind and I left. Too many shops confuse the '84-'87 Fieros with '88s....they have completely different specs (as you know).

Another problem I ran into was using the wrong '88 specs......Sears aligned my GT to coupe specs (slightly different). Their computer didn't show GT/Formula specs....of course that was many years ago, maybe things have changed??

Bottom line is no one is willing to take the time to do the job right.

Good luck....let us know how you make out.

[This message has been edited by mrfiero (edited 08-27-2000).]

Pontiac revised the alignment settings for '88 Fieros. The revised settings have been posted here before. I will run a search and post them on this thread. My '88 Formula will be going in for alignment on Monday. I asked about it at one of the local Pontiac dealerships(never had service performed there, just bought parts, but have always been very impressed at how customer oriented they are). I asked the service rep how much and how long would it take to align my '88 Fiero. He told me it was a same day job with no appointment necessary, and the charge would be $60. I hope this dealership knows their stuff, they hav always known what they're talking about before.

Yes, Pontiac issued a service bulletin on the '88 specs because there was a misprint in the manual. A decimal point was misplaced by one digit. Kinda obvious.

In my experience (12 years, many alignments) the factory specs don't cut it. You need .5 degrees neg camber in the front and at least 1.5 (2 is better) degrees neg camber in the rear. Elongating the lower bolt holes in the rear strut will help. Factory spec is 0 degrees in the front and (I think) 1 degree in the rear. The rest of the factory numbers will work. Make sure the front caster is around 5 degrees pos and within a half degree difference side to side.
If you need the other numbers I can post them tomorrow, my manual's at the shop.

PJ
ITA #66 Black

Thanks guys. I am going to Sears probably and bring with me everything you guys gave me. Hopefully I won't have any squeeling when going around a turn.

I read on another list that someone with an 88 GT took it to an alignment shop and they only had the Coupe specs in their computer.

He then told them that he had "power steering" and up popped the correct specs.

No he didn't have "power steering" but that is how the computer program listed the correct GT/Formula alignment specs.

So try that next time you go for alignment.

Paul

Here are the specs from the '88 manual:

FRONT
Toe (per wheel): 0.3° ± .2° Total
Camber: 0° ± .5°
Caster, Manual Steering: +3.0° ± .5°
Caster, GT & Formula: +5.0° ± .5°

REAR
Camber: -1.0° ± .5°
Toe (per wheel): .15° ± .1°

Obviously the caster #'s were formulated when the power assist was still planned for the GT & Formula. The car (Coupe, Formula or GT) will track better at highway speeds with the +5° caster. The extra steering effort is negligible unless you do A LOT of parallel parking.

PJ
ITA #66 Black