I purchased a set of shocks and struts on ebay, set of Gabriels. They were cheap, but this is an '84 coupe that is merely a daily driver, and I don't really have have any performance needs for this car. So my question is:

Should I purchase any other related accesories for the installation? Hardware, pads, etc.? Or would it be ok to just install the shocks and struts? I believe everything on this car is still original...sure feels like it, since when I hit a pothole it feels like the car is going to break in half!!!

Thanks

replace all of the rubber bushings with Prothrane. you will see a big difference!

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i wouldnt do poly mounts if its a DD the car gets stiffer
but u might want to replace the old rubber with new rubber

As much as I would love to switch over to poly, I don't have a place to do the work on the car myself, and I have neither the tools nor the mechanical aptitude to tackle a job like that. If anything, I would order a kit with rubber bushings (OEM replacement style) which would still be worlds better than my 24 year old parts. My question is actually more in reference to things like spring pads, mounting plates, hardware, etc. In other words...installing new parts (the shocks and struts only) but retaining old hardware and such.

rear a-arm poly is a very good improvement

As for your question: "Should I purchase any other related accesories for the installation? Hardware, pads, etc.? Or would it be ok to just install the shocks and struts"?Just install them.First mark the location of the three nuts, at the top of the strut in nthe engine compartment (the big center nut isn't removed,by you) .From what I remember,your going to have to take your struts to most any auto shop and have the new struts swapped over,if they ask,just tell them your doing it your self.You can easyiley do the front shocks.Buy a minney grease gun and grease the chassie while the car is in the air.You might want to install and end link set,while you gave the car in the air (Autozone,about $16).

You may want to check out the condition of the dust boots that cover the shaft of the struts. Generally the boots are bad on most Fiero's. You may need some bolts that hold the struts to the rear knucles since they seize easily.

Strut replacement is not a beginners job ,If you have a lot of experience in auto repair and a manual go for it remember the motor heads on the forum concider the transmission drop "" no problem "" you can eyeball the assorted rubber components and decide if you want to replace make legibel marks to ease remount use 5 marks up top if you have little experience
The chilton manual has a good section for this mark top and bottom
Do not do this unless confident of your ability this is an easy inexpensive job at many garages especially those that specialize in brakes and supensions.. shops that do this all day
It is not to difficult to do if you want to attemp just make sure to keep alignment use level to check wheels before you remove and recheck after install
I often make up a piece of cardboard as my own alignment tool ,with the level I attain real close alignment.. works real well if you have center line in tire

I appreciate all of the feedback guys. I did a complete cradle drop last summer. All by myself in a tiny one car garage, with no service manual, and up to that point I had never even done so much as a tune up by myself. So I am confident enough. But I lost my workspace (it has become a storage unit for all intentions).

I guess the reason I asked this question was fierostore's website. They offer a strut package which includes some accessories (spring pads,etc) so I figured as long as I am diving into it I might as well do it right the first time. I think I may do the front shocks myself and take the car to my guy (NIFE member, owner of several Fieros, member here, and service manager at a local shop) and let them do the struts.

And regarding the aforementioned cradle drop I successfully completed, it was only possible due to much help from all of you kind people!