I have an 85 GT 4-speed. There is a lot of play where the axles go into the differential. It is also leaking oil there. What is involved in fixing this. Do you have to drop the cradle out to do it? And are there bearings, or is it a bushing. I have seen the axle bearing stabilizer bearing & seal set. I do plan to install these also when I do this, but I want to do it right and replace what ever is worn out in there now. Any help would be great. Thanks a lot.

I am not entirely sure, but if the pre-88 rear bearings are the same as the 88, its actually a pretty easy job. No cradle dropping needed at all. First remove the center cap on the wheels, and while the car is on the ground break lose (but don't remove) the 30mm axil nuts. Now you can jack up the car, remove the wheels, brakes, etc. Once you have removed the axil nut, you will need some torx sockets (T55 I think) to remove the 3 torx screws that holds the bearing on. Thats basicly all there is to it. Just be sure to re-torque the axil nut to the proper spec when you put the new bearings on.

I think he's referring to the axel barring in the tranny, rather then what's referred to as the wheel barring....

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Seanpaul: Yes that is exactly what I am talking about. Where the axles go into the tranny / differential.

In that case then I believe you have to crack the tranny apart in order to fix it (which means it must be removed from the car). There was a thread a while back from West Coast Fiero about servicing a getreg. Had lots of pictures and pretty good explaination. However, I wouldn't consider it an easy DIY job.

Thanks 88-DOHC. That's what I was afraid of. Has any one used the bearing seal units from the Fiero Store? Do you think they would help buy me some time until I have the time and money to really tear into it and do it right? Right now there is enough play it causes some vibration at speeds over 55 or 60.

Rodney Dickman sells the stabilizer bearings. I'm sure he'd answer your questions. Get his e-mail address from the Fiero Parts Vendors section above.

These are tapered roller bearings. The axle stabilizer bearing are needle bearing. They will do nothing to resist axial movement of the differential assembly. Installing the stabilizer bearings is just a stop gap measure.

In my opinion you need to replace the differential carrier bearings. This can be done by a DIYer but you will need at least need a quality two jaw puller to get the bearings off and it helps to have a decent driver to install the bearing. There's also a chance that the bad bearings have already caused damage to the ring and pinion gear . If that's the case your best bet would be a used transaxle (~110 at Pick-n-Pull for FWD drive + ~$150 for Rodneys Dickman's conversion parts) or pay for a major rebuild (>$1000)

I installed one of the axle stabilizer bearings on the passenger side (worst to wobble) of a 125C automatic. It had about 1/8 inch of radial movement. It would vibrate at about 50 to 55 also. It seems to have stopped the vibration for now. I am having trany rebuilt in about 4 months.

Some advice to anyone using the aux. bearing/seal assembly. The instructions that came with it said to use Locktite on the bearing housing to transaxle mating surfaces. I guess I did not use enough and I have a transmission fluid leak. Minor, but annoying. I would recommend using some additional sealant (silicone?) where the bearing seats against the transaxle.

I purchased two of the aux bearings and only used one. I would sell the second for what it costs me. I it was $29.xx (will include original receipt). It is in mfg. package with installation instructions.