86 GT. I get a real bad sway when driving on the freeway. Its not scary, but it is definately noticeable. I seem to remember it happening when I got new tires put on the rear. I'm currently running 205/40/17 in the front and 235/45/17 in the rear. Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR on 17x7 wheels. Is this more likely the issue, or would it be more likely that there is something else off with the rear suspension.
Originally posted by Gall757: I assumed you checked inflation....any tire will move around if it is underinflated.
Yes. I have run 32 psi, 35 psi, and even 40 psi just to see.
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Originally posted by ag9123: Sounds like worn cradle bushings. The stock ones get very spongy with age. Check out the aluminum replacements from Rodney Dickman...
They have been replace with poly very recently.
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Originally posted by Grantman: Rear inner tie rod replacement fixed my sway on a 1986.
I'll have to check that out. Where did you get yours from?
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Originally posted by 2.5: Could be bad alignment or bad rear struts too.
I did replace the struts a while ago (don't have many miles on them though), but kept the original springs.
I got mine from Rodney. I had new struts, replaced cradle bushing with poly when the motor was out, after the alignment the mechanic pointed out that one of the rear tie rods was bad. I replaced both and it solved my problem. no more swaying. but on these cars there are many things that it could be.
I'm voting alignment as well. I just drove my 88 1621 miles across country and the steering was terrifying. Wander was nearly uncontrollable on uneven roads so it is off to the alignment shop today. I have Koni struts and 350# springs (LS4) so anything other than smooth roads really amplify surface problems. Washboard roads are particularly bad. Worn tierods will definitely cause an issue as well. How many miles are on your car?
Dr. W.
Car has roughly 96,058 miles. An alignment was performed after I replaced the struts in the rear.
My plan is to replace the tie rods and ball joints, get it aligned again, and see what that does.
From reading this short thread it seems that a wheel bearing may be the issue, or at least part of it. I have a screeching/grinding noise but thought it was from my brakes. I'll replace the bearings too.
This is the kind of information that is important for problem solving, no matter how unconnected you may think it is.
Agreed, but its hard to determine what to share and what not to share, vs just sharing every little thing that is wrong with my car. I'm getting good ideas from everyone so far so I think I did ok.
And there are times multiple things are bad all at the same time only confounding the problem. my 3800SC had a bad fuel pump and wouldn't start, as soon as that was fixed it stutters over 4,000 rpm and throws a code which will need to be sorted. thought the stuttering was the bad fuel pump. oh well.
------------------ 1986 Fiero GT fastback SC3800 3.4 pulley, LS1 TB 1986 Fiero GT Fastback 3.4Lpr with 4T60 - SOLD 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee with "big boy" 5.9 motor 1983 Honda Goldwing 1100 Interstate
And there are times multiple things are bad all at the same time only confounding the problem. my 3800SC had a bad fuel pump and wouldn't start, as soon as that was fixed it stutters over 4,000 rpm and throws a code which will need to be sorted. thought the stuttering was the bad fuel pump. oh well.
I understand.
My 3800sc had the same stutter problem when you got on the throttle as well. I replaced the plugs and wires and the issue went away. I metered the old plug wires and one of them showed infinite so I'm pretty sure it was a plug wire vs a plug.
[This message has been edited by bomluuk (edited 05-29-2014).]
The hub nut can be loose. I have experienced this sway badly on a race track. The newer 28mm hub nuts are not as good as the older 30mm (sold by Fiero Store). I went through 3 hubs until I fixed the nut problem and never looked back. Check the torque and quality of the hub nuts.
Check the struts again - one could have gone bad. I have had that happen - 6 months old, started to get a sway. Checked everything and decided to remove the struts and check those and sure enough 1 was bad.
Had the issue as well with a bad bearing nut a year after that (it had backed off and the bearings was ruined) - new bearing and nuts both sides.
[This message has been edited by Mickey_Moose (edited 05-30-2014).]
Check the struts again - one could have gone bad. I have had that happen - 6 months old, started to get a sway. Checked everything and decided to remove the struts and check those and sure enough 1 was bad.
Had the issue as well with a bad bearing nut a year after that (it had backed off and the bearings was ruined) - new bearing and nuts both sides.
When you say check the struts, do you mean take the strut apart and compress it?
if you changed the struts and did not realign the rear it makes the swaying bad. When I replaced mine I went for a drive and it was really bad. A small change in the camber of the rear wheels makes a big difference in the toe of the rear and causes the sway you feel. When you change the struts it changes the camber and thus the toe. You don't have to be as concerned with the camber as the toe. I dialed my toe back to 0 and the sway went away.
Hubs have been replaced, but the sway still remains. I torqued the cradle bolts to spec and that didn't help either. The grinding noise was my brake dust shield touching my rotors. At least that's fixed. This weekend: tie rods and ball joints.
I'm gonna throw my $.02 in here and guess it's the tie rod ends. My 87 GT had this problem when I bought it, new tie rod ends throughout the rear fixed it.
FWIW, I run a wider than stock tire and on poor road surfaces at speeds above 60 or so I notice a "sway" where the car seems to dance in its lane. Not noticeable in other cars on the same section of road. I heard somewhere a while ago that the stock Fiero suspension does not especially like wide tires and always contributed it to that since my car car tracks perfectly down good road surfaces and most suspension components are fairly new. Again, just my $.02.
[This message has been edited by fastblack (edited 06-04-2014).]
I'm gonna throw my $.02 in here and guess it's the tie rod ends. My 87 GT had this problem when I bought it, new tie rod ends throughout the rear fixed it.
FWIW, I run a wider than stock tire and on poor road surfaces at speeds above 60 or so I notice a "sway" where the car seems to dance in its lane. Not noticeable in other cars on the same section of road. I heard somewhere a while ago that the stock Fiero suspension does not especially like wide tires and always contributed it to that since my car car tracks perfectly down good road surfaces and most suspension components are fairly new. Again, just my $.02.
I'll take any 2 pennies anyone throws at me. I've got the tie rods already and I'll start the install tomorrow.
I think you were on the right track in the first place. You said it started after you changed the rear tires. Before spending money, I would swap the tires, or at least rotate front-back and test drive again. While you have the rear off, check for play in the bearings, tie rod, and ball joint.
