I opened the rear deck yesterday an heard the strap snap. It was very hard to close the lid again but I finally was able to. The result:
I haven't been able to have a closer look yet but this is the result of only the strap snapping, right? So Replacing the strap and all should be well?
I found this thread about replacing the straps and it doesn't seem like a fun job to do. Is this still the only way to do it? There isn't a method for adding another strap without having to completely remove the hinges?
Looks to me like the entire hinge broke. All the strap does is stop the hinge from opening too far. You're going to need something to hold the tension off of the spring while you replace it (the hinge.)
Be very careful. Your fingers/hands are no match for those springs.
So, when are you going to PM me if I have the part and at the same time order it from the USA while I dig it up ? I'm pretty sure I have complete hinges, but I wont look for them unless you are sure about "what" exactly broke and needs to be replaced.
Ok I will look for them anyway. I suck.
Strange failure btw, never seen that happen.
edit: I found them, $500 plus shipping. Each.
[This message has been edited by Fie Ro (edited 05-14-2015).]
Yeah, probably the hinge pin (or hinge metal) snapped and the torsion rod is pushing up the decklid (see the metal "hanging down"... that is the tension rod connector pushing up). A good used hinge should fix it. Any pics with the lid up (be very careful when lifting decklid, as it may shift and cause the tension rod to snap up and damage something.
[This message has been edited by jaskispyder (edited 05-14-2015).]
Looks to me like the entire hinge broke. All the strap does is stop the hinge from opening too far. You're going to need something to hold the tension off of the spring while you replace it (the hinge.)
So there's no way I can "simply" insert another hinge pin without removing or replacing the entire hinge?
If half the hinge is still attached to the decklid, I don't see why holding the decklid open in the proper position wouldn't allow another hinge pin to be inserted (if indeed that's what the problem is).
I finally had the time to quickly check what was wrong and the hinge pin is sheared off, by the looks of it because it rusted solid. According to Rodney in another thread it's nearly impossible to get the rusted pins out. Can these be drilled out?
They can not be drilled out. They are hardened steel. I tried. I also tried very hard to drive the broken pin pieces out and could not get anything to budge the least bit. Everyone should take the time now to oil their rear deck lid hinge pins.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
Cliff, I have a replacement hinge laying on my bench for a week now, do you want it to be send to you or do you want some help to replace it too ? I am just half an hour away from you.
I know you dont want to be treated differently because you run some crappy site , but this is just a normal offer to a fellow Fiero owner. This needs to be fixed.
Cliff, I have a replacement hinge laying on my bench for a week now, do you want it to be send to you or do you want some help to replace it too ? I am just half an hour away from you.
I know you dont want to be treated differently because you run some crappy site , but this is just a normal offer to a fellow Fiero owner. This needs to be fixed.
Fantastic! I would love some help with this! But I don't have a garage to work in. I can work in front of the house but the weather needs to clear up first for that!
Well, that was fun We sure took the time to do it right......lol
Some interesting info for people who suffer a snapped hingepin and drive around with a warmed up engine: your decklid may warp, you may figure that out after taking some time trying to get it lined up and not getting it lined up.
Not saying that this happend in this case, all went well of course and we also had no problem with the torx-bolts that were almost-torx-bolts. 27+18 years of Fiero experience cant be underestimated. Great to see and talk to you again Cliff !
[This message has been edited by Fie Ro (edited 05-31-2015).]
Yes it was very nice to meet you and thank you very much for helping me out! Next time you are in Haarlem we'll grab a beer together.
I've driven the car for a few hours and it looks like the deck lid has settled a bit and is less warped than it was. I don't think it will magically unwarp itself completely but at least it closes a bit easier now. In the mean time I will keep an eye out for another decklid
Oh, and this would have saved us two hours of work yesterday:
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