The wheels are absolutely moving in and out. It’s bouncing back and forth..
The cradle is in perfect shape, it just got powdercoated(didn’t have rust at all before). We removed the deck lid before driving, the brand new poly mounts on the 3800 mounts are making sure that the engine isn’t moving at all..
Looking at the video. The reaction is too slow per tire rotation to be axle. Looked like you had toe in on acceleration then toe out when you let up/shift. If you don't have any obvious worn parts, look at rear lower control arm bushings too soft. Rear tie rod ends should be checked at ride height. On a set of turn plates. Or tire on trash bag works well too. Real easy to miss. Also without a good quality ratchet wrench, getting the exhaust out of the way, or having the subframe down, it is hard to make sure the inner tie rod mounts are tightened right.
Looking at the video. The reaction is too slow per tire rotation to be axle. Looked like you had toe in on acceleration then toe out when you let up/shift. If you don't have any obvious worn parts, look at rear lower control arm bushings too soft. Rear tie rod ends should be checked at ride height. On a set of turn plates. Or tire on trash bag works well too. Real easy to miss. Also without a good quality ratchet wrench, getting the exhaust out of the way, or having the subframe down, it is hard to make sure the inner tie rod mounts are tightened right.
I think you are dead on about the toe issue.
The cradle mounts and a arm mounts are poly and brand new. The rear tie rods are new from Rodney Dickman and I followed all of his instructions on their install (including the funky washers you have to bend).
The wheels are straight and the rods were tightened with all four wheels on the ground.
That's 100% wrong. Any way you can stick your cell phone in the right rear wheel well and snap a few photos like this:
I'd like to see the arm position as well as the tie rod position. There's definitely an angle problem as if some parts have been installed incorrectly. Also let us know if you take the photo with the car in the air or on the ground.
Edit to add.......I just jacked my 87 in the air and the wheels are almost perfectly aligned. Something is definitely wrong with your rear suspension.
[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 08-15-2020).]
So, the car is slightly lowered (an inch about) if that matters.
I won’t be back home till Monday evening so I’ll take a picture then.
That being said, I have replaced a few rear tie rods and messed with the back suspension before and nothing seems out of place, but we will see on Monday when I can take more pictures.
Part of me is wondering if I reversed the a arms or something when I put it back together...
I need to clear one thing up. What I trying to explain, was those tie rod ends should be checked for play/wear at normal right height, I have had those type inner tie rod ends not show movement when the suspension is hanging unloaded. Only to show movement when at normal height. Your issue is much worse than a worn part. Yes reversed control arms could cause this. But I thought they were fairly symmetrical. Look to see if the stop bracket on the control arms match up to the stops on the spindles. If I remember to, I'll look under mine tomorrow.
I am pretty sure the issue is with the rear tierods. They are either:
1. Mounted on the bottom side of the steering arm (it should be on top) - would have required modifying the taper, but I have seen stranger things happen. 2. The tierod has been modified to be shorter (mounting location on the cradle moved or spacer block added - both have been done before).
I am pretty sure the issue is with the rear tierods. They are either:
1. Mounted on the bottom side of the steering arm (it should be on top) - would have required modifying the taper, but I have seen stranger things happen. 2. The tierod has been modified to be shorter (mounting location on the cradle moved or spacer block added - both have been done before).
I agree. He said this happened after an alignment at a shop so it wouldn't surprise me if they put the rod ends on the bottom vs. the top.
I lightened up his image in Photoshop vs my car up off the ground and you can tell the rod end is lower on his car. His is at the center of the wheel which would indicate the rod end is at the bottom of the spindle. Mine is above the center of the wheel which you can see is mounted correctly.
His car:
My car jacked off the dolly:
[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 08-16-2020).]
I am pretty sure the issue is with the rear tierods.
Mounted on the bottom side of the steering arm (it should be on top) - would have required modifying the taper, but I have seen stranger things happen.
With the tierod mounted from the bottom, wouldn't it be awfully difficult to tighten the nut, as the taper wouldn't be holding the pin tightly... but I guess that's the "modifying the taper" you're referring to!
It came down to something simple, I am a complete and utter idiot.
The tie rods were on upside down in the back..in my defense, they fit right in..
This is the third time I have rebuilt the back suspension of a pre 88 Fiero, but I had never left so much time inbetween replacing parts...more pictures next time I guess!
... The tie rods were on upside down in the back..in my defense, they fit right in..
Wow man! I'm happy that the mystery is solved. Looking at your pics (I still can't get to the video) that was going to be my guess too, but everyone beat me to it.
It came down to something simple, I am a complete and utter idiot.
The tie rods were on upside down in the back..in my defense, they fit right in..
This is the third time I have rebuilt the back suspension of a pre 88 Fiero, but I had never left so much time inbetween replacing parts...more pictures next time I guess!
I am glad you found ths problem. I hope there was no damage to the knuckles.
Wow man! I'm happy that the mystery is solved. Looking at your pics (I still can't get to the video) that was going to be my guess too, but everyone beat me to it.
