Took my Fiero out for it's first drive on the highway in many years, the old inspection was done back in 97. So after all my work on it since september 05, I was ready. Ran beautiful, the only thing i was worried about was it seemed a little loose on the freeway, like wanted to go from side to side. Maybe I just need to get the alignment done, but it didn't pull to either side. My best way to describe it, felt like the wind was blowing the car from side to side. The Fiero sits too low for that to be the case, If any of yall have had this problem, what was it????
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10:42 AM
PFF
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Jax184 Member
Posts: 3524 From: Vancouver, Canada Registered: Jun 2005
An allignment is always a good idea. It doesnt take much in a few key areas to make the Fiero feel pretty unsure on the highway. I'm sure a few others will be able to suggest what else to check.
cradle bushings can cause that as well, you didnt say if it was an 88 or not, but the 88's wouldnt have that problem as they are aluminum. I would go for an alignment first. If the toe is off especially that can cause that feeling.
Yeah I figured I needed an alignment seeing that I replaced the rack and pinion, but didn't think it would play that much. OK schedule that for next week. The Fiero is an 87 so I'm sure it needs new cradle bushings as well...... First things first, I can get the alignment done at work, not too exspensive, Then I can find a nice warm weekend to change the bushings. Thanks for your help
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12:01 PM
ltlfrari Member
Posts: 5356 From: Wake Forest,NC,USA Registered: Jan 2002
I recently had a similar problem with mine, nothing bad but just the occasional slight desire to wander on the freeway. Turned out all the rear tranny mounting bolts (the ones that connect the mount to the tranny) were loose. Maybe I forgot to tighten them up during my swap (oops), but anyway I tightened them up and it is fine now. I'd also say check every nut, bolt and bushing for anything connected to the steering and drive train for play or looseness. I found that the bearings in one of my front wheel hubs was dying and caused a similar problem.
Tires can also cause the darting around like you're describing. I have a low mileage 87 that had the same problem. I bought another 87 this summer and just swapped the tires and the problem went away. The problem tires "looked" good, but at least one of them is not. I used to do a lot of alignments and that's one of the first things we checked out in a case like this. Start with the simple things. If you don't have tires to swap around, maybe one of your Fiero buddies would let you try their tires out to diagnose the problem. Since you replaced the rack & pinion, "Yes" you should get an alignment to set the toe as long as the other steering components are in good shape. Good Luck!!! Let us know how it turns out.
I brought it in to work today to let the alignment guy have at it. I know it's not the tires, just put those on and I did the mounting and balancing with a hunter 9700 roadforce variance balancer...... I just wanted to make sure I had no vibrations <----- tire and wheel guy I'll check the tranny bolts and hmmm the rack and pinion bolts, kinda felt like it was in that area on the front passengers side
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10:17 AM
squisher86SE Member
Posts: 1350 From: Franklin, IN, USA Registered: May 2005
As to getting an alignment before changing bushings....I'd personally recommend changing bushings FIRST, since it involves taking the suspension apart a good ways, which could throw any alignment off.
EDIT: You can do what you like, but I'm just thinking of saving money in the long run incase you need an alignment after you change bushings, that way you only have to pay for 1 align job.
[This message has been edited by squisher86SE (edited 03-21-2006).]
Ok looked at it on the pad lift and noticed a gap where there should be a bushing on the upper control arm on one side. The other side had it so I'm not sure how much of the bushing is gone..... looks like I need to get the bushing kit from the Fiero store and fix that. That I think is where my knocking sound is coming from....could that be where I'm getting my sway from????
