87 GT restoration, update, upgrade, and swap

[Spartanzz]

Got a couple things done this weekend.

First off i was finally able to get the front drive tie rod off with some expert "percussive persuasion". Also picked up some PB blaster and got the front LCA bolt out and the nut for the rear LCS bolt off (that stuff is magic). But, the bolt itself looks to be rusted to the rear LCA bushing sleeve........RIP.

I have a large c-clamp on the way to assist with getting that bolt out....hopefully....

I wont be removing the rear LCA cuz it already has the poly bushings installed, YAY! I was also able to get the new Driver from metal brake line swap out with the new FS SS one.

So as it stands, the driver suspension is almost completely torn down and ready to accept new replacement/upgraded parts. May be ordering the rear calipers at the end of this week. We will see how everything goes!

[scottb]

If you think PB Blaster works good, give Kroil a try. Expensive but worth it

Do you still want the struts? I had them with me last month

[TopNotch]

If you think PB Blaster works good, give Kroil a try. Expensive but worth it

I replaced the O2 sensor on my 3800, and couldn't get the old one out until I put Kroil on it and let it sit a while. Good stuff.

[Fierofool]

Yes, Kroil is better than PB Blaster.  We used Kroil in the machine shop over the Liquid Wrench and PB. 

Looking back at the pictures of your suspension work, I would do a super inspection in the area of that rust in the rear wheelwell. 

[Spartanzz]

If you think PB Blaster works good, give Kroil a try. Expensive but worth it

Do you still want the struts? I had them with me last month

Hey bud! yeah I still want them. Mostly for the top mounting hats since I do have one striped stud :/. Sorry I missed the last get together, had some news pop up that has required alot of my attention recently. But, i wont be missing the meeting this Saturday for sure!

Looking back at the pictures of your suspension work, I would do a super inspection in the area of that rust in the rear wheelwell.

I have been able to look a good bit around the frame, wheel wells, and such. So far, everything thats "important" looks to be pretty good. Only major portions that looks meh (but not bad) are the trunk and the front crossmember. But, once i get the cradle out and can get the car lifted a bit higher up is when ill be able to either see the front crossmember better or take it out all together to see if i need to replace it.

[Spartanzz]

I haven't posted any updates in a while. Haven't had time to sit down and work on the car much. But! i have gotten a large amount of parts in recently! Here is a quick list off the top of my head:

Recon heads, new carpet, new quarter windows, new tail light lenses, rear swaybar upgrade, all new tie rods and balljoints from Rodney Dickman, replacement bolts for all control arms, New weather stips for front hood and rear trunk, new windshield molding (cuz i will be replacing windshield since its cracked), poly bump stops for front, new spring pads for all four corners, every wear item for rear shocks, new stainless clutch line.

There is probably some things I am missing, but thats what i can think of right now. Should be finding some time to start replacing suspension and brake parts soon. once those are buttoned up, im going to try and get the engine back together and running so i can actually get her back on the road!

Below are only a few of the pics i have taken of some of the new parts. More will come as I start installing stuff.

[Spartanzz]

Been a bit since iv been able to work in the Fiero. Today, i wasnt able to get near as much as i wanted done today.....but good news is took down my current arch enemy (rear lower control arm bolt on the Driver front)

With that off I replaced the bushings with the poly ones i had, pressed out the old ball joint, cleaned it up a bit and pressed in the new Rodney Dickman 1" drop balljoint. Also installed Rodney's Adjustable upper ball joint and upper ball joint paddle plates. New bolts all around ready for install once i get the front subframe swapped out.

Hopefully all this make getting an alignment alot easier. Im hoping to have more time next weekend to tear down and replace stuff in the Passenger front suspension and get the subframe swapped!

[Wreck It Ralph]

Looking good

[Spartanzz]

Got some good work done this past weekend! Didn't take any pictures yet sadly....

Got the passenger front suspension almost fully torn down. (just the LCA left, didn't have a ton of extra time to be prepped for cutting this one out as well) Bushing and ball joint are replaced in the UCA. Pulled the tire well panel out and replaced the brake line going from the distro block to the passenger front side. Removed the steering wrack and damper to set aside for replacing all the tie rods on it. Getting close to where I can have it ready to roll!

[AJ_87Fiero]

Congrats on getting a lot of work done 

[Spartanzz]

Whelp, today was slow at work. So decided to just im the garage and do a little bit of work. Bushings my the LCA from the pass side were much nicer to me getting out! Blow torch and they slid out like butter!

So officially, all four control arms have been pulled, bushings swapped for poly, ball joints replaced with Rodney Dickman's, and all new nuts and bolts. They are ready to be installed finally!!!!

This coming Sunday ill be dropping and swapping the front subframe with the non-rusty one i got a bit back. Then, if i have enough time after that, I will finally be putting the front suspension back together!

Only things that are missing for my front suspension rebuild is the fiero store upgraded front swap bar (since i have the rear sway bar kit as well) and Rodney Dickman's longer zero lash end links since im running his 1" drop ball joints. (I have his shorter ones by mistake but he is working with me to get them swapped out for his longer ones!

Then i just have to figure out the best/easiest way to remove the old inner tie rods from the steering wrack :/

[Spartanzz]

Whelp i should have known things were going too smoothly.....went to pull off the front sway bar tonight so i can swap it out the TFS upgraded one.....and the bolt decided they wanted to snap off despite the excessive amount of pen oil i have used over the course of three weeks....


Guess ill be making a trip to home depot tomorrow to pickup some carbide drill bits and some bolts and nuts.....that way i can drill out the holes and install the brackets with some new hardware.

Never a dull day when trying to restore a car that's older than i am LOL

[AJ_87Fiero]

Never a dull day when trying to restore a car that's older than i am LOL

True that!  

A wee li'l broken bolt can't stop Mr.@Spartanzz! You got this  

[scottb]

Guess ill be making a trip to home depot tomorrow to pickup some carbide drill bits and some bolts and nuts.....that way i can drill out the holes and install the brackets with some new hardware.

I'm going to recommend a diamond bit for cutting tile.

[scottb]

I use a Cresent wrench to remove tie rod ends from the rack. You have to break the clamp that holds the boot on and under the boot is a couple of wrench flats. Ain't nuttin to it