Now I haven't replaced the shocks yet, and I now belive that the unstable shittyness is coming from the front end. When I go down an uneven road the car just wants to dart whatever way the road bumps.
Will replacing the shocks fix this? I think I heard somebody say that the upper control arm bushing being shot would cause what is happening. (Then again, I don't have any idea what I am talking about) So do I need new shocks/bushings or just shocks?
------------------ The Black Beauty (85 GT) - Bustedato (86 SE, Parts car) Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things AOL IM: KSSouter MSN IM: I_R_Sootah@hotmail.com
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03:09 PM
PFF
System Bot
FieroJoe Member
Posts: 2314 From: Southfield, MI Registered: Nov 2000
Try moving around your control arms by hand, if you can move them and wiggle them around the bushings are probably shot. If you're trying to tighten up your suspension at all, time for poly bushings all around. 7-2034 (I think) from summit, $75, but will take forever to get there.
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03:15 PM
WeAZz2M6 Member
Posts: 290 From: North of Toronto, ON,Can Registered: Mar 2002
Could also be a wheel that is out of alignment. Bad shocks and a front wheel that might be dogged alittle pretty much feel the same when your driving. Is the car bouncing all over the place over bumps? or does it just feel like the bumps are making the car change direction slightly?
------------------ Auto racing fans fall into two categories:Tattooed,shirtless,sewermouthed drunks, and their Husbands
I had the same thing. I replaced ball joints ,control arm bushings , shocks , struts , sway bar bushings and it never got better. I was told to try a good alignment shop so since it was going to be aligned again I cut the springs and lowered the car. To my shock the handling got a lot better. Not perfect but I could drive the car around. Lowering changed alinment specs so that why I think it got better. Friday it will be aligned so I hope it will be perfect. My advice is to find a good alignment shop, recomened by a fellow Fiero owner. If something is worn they will tell you.
Sootah.. Might be too far to drive, but if you can get it up here in Bountiful, Jays American Car Care is AMAZING. They can get it right back to factory specs, and wont give you a bunch of BS about whats shot and whats not. So far, they are the only ones that have not tried screwin me over by saying stuff is shot (Other then NTB, wich went under) when i know its not (I used to be ASE Certified in Susp & Brakes). Other then that, if you have a Sears Auto down there, they can do good work as well, but i would STAY AWAY From the dealerships.. nothin but heartache there.
And also, since i AM a moron recently, have you checked your steering stabilizer? If its shot, your gunna get horrible bumpsteer. Out on the Freeway, does it drift either way, or is it a white knuckle drive? If you DID redo your struts, and not align it, then no matter how good you are, your out of alignment.
Also, did you do the wiggle test? With the wheel off the ground, you should have ZERO wiggle left to right, and up and down. Anythin other then minimal is time for new parts or at least a bearing pack. (front end)
-Karl
If ya need more info, drop me a line at FieroJones@aol.com, and I'll ask a friend up here if he knows of any good shops your way if you need more then an alignment.
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04:51 PM
Sootah Member
Posts: 2457 From: St. George, Utah Registered: May 2001
My friend came over last week with his crappy 4 cyl notchback that has been doing the FIERO dance since he has bought it. Its shifting from side to side. My first fiero did this but i forgot what I did to get ride of it. The last 3 or 4 GT's I've had have treated me right. NO DANCE over bumps or high speeds. In any case we replaced his lower rear control arm ball joint but that didnt help. It looks like the bushings are REAL bad so thats next to be replaced along with his rotted out factory front end links. He just bought new shocks n struts all the way around and that along w/ a alignment still had not fixed it. Some of these cars are junk> OUT.
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09:54 PM
West Coast Fiero Member
Posts: 2044 From: Los Angeles, CA, USA Registered: Jun 2001
Kevin, if and when you make it out here on the 18th for the BBQ, I will personally go over your car to help source the issue at hand
*sniff* I love you man.
Looks like I'll be able to get the 17-20'th off...
------------------ The Black Beauty (85 GT) - Bustedato (86 SE, Parts car) Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things AOL IM: KSSouter MSN IM: I_R_Sootah@hotmail.com
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10:34 PM
Apr 24th, 2002
West Coast Fiero Member
Posts: 2044 From: Los Angeles, CA, USA Registered: Jun 2001
Barbeque? Is this a west coast (Cal) event? If so when and where? I didn't think there was anything out here till the thing in Reno. (Hey, I'm still new here! :-) ).
------------------ 87 GT V6 Fiero Automatic
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01:22 AM
West Coast Fiero Member
Posts: 2044 From: Los Angeles, CA, USA Registered: Jun 2001
May 18th we are going to have a BBQ / open house here at the shop ( WCF ) and it essentially is a very laid back atmosphere for everyone to gather tech info, gossip, down some beers, and stuff themselves with all they can eat from the grille. Tommorrow if time permitting, I will kmake the addition of information about it on the Fieros West Home page ( Fieros West )
------------------ ( the above was the thoughts, views, and opinions of a disgruntled Fiero mechanic, and do not express or imply those of West Coast Fiero, Fieros West, or any other organization - just that of this poor bastard ) :) Eric Nelson Technician, West Coast Fiero 310-305-4111
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02:12 AM
RBeaubien Member
Posts: 775 From: Glendale (Phoenix), AZ, USA Registered: Mar 2002
Sootah, what size tires do you have in the back. My rear went squirly when I put 245/50/15's on the rear. In my case, it is the bumpsteer problem in my 87 GT. I put a rear sway bar which helped, but it still is a little weird to drive at higher speeds. I am going to install Held Motorsports, Zero Bumpsteer correction kit.
------------------ - Robert Beaubien - 87 GT 5-speed -
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02:42 AM
Sootah Member
Posts: 2457 From: St. George, Utah Registered: May 2001
Bad tracking is caused by worn out parts or tires and/or bad alignment. Your alignment shop should have checked everything - especially if you described your symptoms before the work was done. I would take it back to them and go over the symptoms with a service manager. Best case get them to test drive it while you are riding so they can duplicate what you are feeling. At the very least, they may point out something that was overlooked and may offer to work with you on a re-alignment following needed repairs.
Or just take it somewhere else and pay again and never go back to the first shop.
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10:58 AM
BOILERMAKER Member
Posts: 1334 From: Indianapolis, IN, USA Registered: May 99
I always eliminate the obvious first. If you are sure you have bad shocks, why wait around. They aren't that expensive, won't ruin your alignment and are relatively easy to put on. Once that is done, then go to the next step if you still have a problem.
Yes, it could be bushings or ball joints, but why jump to step 2 when step 1 isn't finished?
