Georgia Fiero Club Forum

All Things Fiero => Tech Tips, Tech Questions => Topic started by: guitarfreak235 on October 18, 2016, 12:11:07 pm

Title: Good alignment near upstate SC? your alignment specs for 88 gt/formula?
Post by: guitarfreak235 on October 18, 2016, 12:11:07 pm

Hey everybody, looking at replacing the inner and outer tie rods relatively soon, hopefully around the holidays when school is over. The steering feel is not laser tight like I want it. After replacing this I will need an alignment, plus my alignment isn't great as is and would like the tires to last a bit longer.

I figured while I'm at it, I'd replace the rear struts since I have a set of kyb's laying around, and do the front shocks too (Im getting the fiero store abjustable camber bolts for the struts). Is there anything else worth doing or replacing before getting an alignment, or simply while I have things apart? Anything else that needs replacement over time to tighten steering and handling? (thinking about upper and lower ball joints and new steering rack mounts while Im in there) Once I've replaced these things, it'll be time for an alignment. I understand how fieros are aligned (atleast the 88's) and that the fiero alignment can be tricky. I'd love to do it myself but dont have the equipment, and would like it to be more precise than a string alignment.

Where do you guys near the upstate SC area (or in Georgia) get your alignments done, and are sure it's done correctly? I've heard about places not doing the proper jounce procedure, just plain getting it wrong, or failing to torque down everything correctly.

Lastly, what alignment specs do you use for max performance and feel on a stock 88 gt/formula? can we reduce understeer without making lift off/snap oversteer worse?
I believe I want to max out caster at 5 degrees, for the feel and the effects it has on dynamic caster
What about front and rear camber?
toe in front rear?

I've read a bit about non stock performance alignment, but was curious what you guys ran

Title: Re: Good alignment near upstate SC? your alignment specs for 88 gt/formula?
Post by: Fierofool on October 18, 2016, 03:48:08 pm

I have swapped over to Firestone.  I formerly used NTW until they decided to up the price from $80 to $120 just because they couldn't get a Fiero right.  Told me they had to remove the rear wheels to set camber, but with the wheels removed, they had no place to attach the alignment equipment.  This, after years of aligning my Fieros.

After trying a couple other places with reports of suspension parts worn out when they had less than 5K on them, and lots of red showing on the final alignment printout, I went over to Firestone.  Their first test drive after alignment, they weren't satisfied and put it back on the rack and tweaked it a little more.  Six month, 6K warranty, $80. 

I usually take printouts of these specs along and tell them this is the settings I want.  I highlight the year of my vehicle so they're not using incorrect specs.  This would be especially important for the 88, because of the jounce procedure.