Shocks/Struts

[pgackerman]

Just replaced the front shocks on my '88 GT.  Now half the car feels great!

I'll replace the rear struts when the parts arrive.  Any advice or gotchas to look out for?

[Fierofool]

Just be sure you have a good set of spring compressors.  You can rent them at the parts stores, so you don't need to buy them. 

Unless your preferred alignment shop is directly across the street from your house, before disassembling the old ones, scribe the location of the lower strut mount against the knuckle so you can get camber close.  The Fiero is no fun to drive with a very bad rear alignment. 

Be sure the spring donuts are replaced properly and the springs are rotated correctly to fit into the notches.  I don't remember how many miles you have on your car, but I have a pair of OEM 88 springs with just less than 15K miles if you feel a need to replace those, too. 

[f85gtron]

I've got spring compressors and an air chisel at the house. I've also got some string for that alignment after your done!
Ron

[pgackerman]

Thanks for the springs offer.  Car has just under 61000 miles.

[Fierofool]

I'm surprised you have a need to replace shocks and struts at just 61,000.  My 87 was still going strong at 135,000 with OEM and it has gone through a ton (more than 50)  of RFTH runs and scouting runs.  I only changed because I got a good deal on the 14,000 mile struts that accompanied the 88 springs. 

Don just replaced the struts on my 86 with Gabriel Ultras and for my taste, they are a little stiff.  The ride quality is similar to a car with cut springs.  I've used Sachs and Monroe Sensa-tracs on other cars and they were more like OEM with a little smoother ride. 

[pgackerman]

f85gtron and I put rear struts on my '88 this morning.  OK, he supplied the the brain power and most of the brawn and the tools too...

The rear end no longer skips when I hit a good bump.  Driveway dips are no longer a concern.

The car has never felt better.

[Raydar]

...
The car has never felt better.

You beat me to it.
I was going to say that replacing the struts and shocks on my 88 made all the difference in the world, even though the ones that were on it didn't seem to be worn out. My brand of choice was Monroe Sensatrac.
But I juggled the springs around a bunch, too. (I have shortened 86 GT springs on the front of mine, and shortened 88 fronts on the rear of mine. Theoretically increases the spring rate by about 25%. (All with the guidance of FieroGuru on Pennocks.)