Georgia Fiero Club Forum

All Things Fiero => General Fiero Discussion => Topic started by: GTRS Fiero on January 25, 2020, 05:20:26 pm

Title: Weak cradle?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 25, 2020, 05:20:26 pm: Quote from: Raydar on January 24, 2020, 07:12:10 pm
The top rail in the picture is situated towards the front of the car, when installed. The rusty spot on the top left is where the trans mount is bolted.
There are two sets of holes, situated a few inches apart. This allows some flexibility in where the trans is mounted. (I have no idea regarding which trans "likes" which set of holes.) This area is where the damage usually occurs.
The pieces that are being sold on Pennocks are designed to fit inside the rail, from underneath.

For people who don't get this (me), is the weak spot at the green dot, or the red dot, in the image below?
Title: Re: Weak cradle?
Post by: scottb on January 25, 2020, 05:30:25 pm: the red dot. That is where the transaxle mount bolts up. that is the area that sees all the rotational force of the drive train, or torque of the engine. The green dot is an exhaust system hanger where the springs hook
Title: Re: Weak cradle?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 25, 2020, 05:32:43 pm: Thanks.
Title: Re: Weak cradle?
Post by: ron768 on January 27, 2020, 11:24:54 am: What is the plate that is mounted on the back rail?
Title: Re: Weak cradle?
Post by: Raydar on January 27, 2020, 12:51:17 pm: That's just a piece of insulation, kind of like tar paper. Similar to the ones that are installed on the sides.
It may be a splash shield.
Title: Re: Weak cradle?
Post by: Raydar on January 27, 2020, 12:52:50 pm: In reality, the entire 88 cradle is supposed to be weaker/thinner than the earlier cradles.
The 88 is apparently the only year that the trans mounts are tearing the metal of the rail.
Title: Re: Weak cradle?
Post by: Fierofool on January 27, 2020, 02:53:05 pm: Is it possible that the elimination of the torque strut shock on the 88 is contributing to that?
Title: Re: Weak cradle?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 27, 2020, 07:36:06 pm: Quote from: Fierofool on January 27, 2020, 02:53:05 pm
Is it possible that the elimination of the torque strut shock on the 88 is contributing to that?

Torque strut shock? Where does that go?
Title: Re: Weak cradle?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 27, 2020, 07:37:33 pm: Quote from: ron768 on January 27, 2020, 11:24:54 am
What is the plate that is mounted on the back rail?

That should be the rubber splash shield for the transmission, although mine is dhaped differently.
Title: Re: Weak cradle?
Post by: Fierofool on January 27, 2020, 08:51:59 pm: Quote from: GTRS Fiero on January 27, 2020, 07:36:06 pm
Quote from: Fierofool on January 27, 2020, 02:53:05 pm
Is it possible that the elimination of the torque strut shock on the 88 is contributing to that?

Torque strut shock? Where does that go?

85-87 V6's had a torque shock mounted to the engine and the cradle cross member next to the oil filter. http://rodneydickman.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=348
Title: Re: Weak cradle?
Post by: Raydar on January 28, 2020, 08:08:02 am: Quote from: Fierofool on January 27, 2020, 02:53:05 pm
Is it possible that the elimination of the torque strut shock on the 88 is contributing to that?

I was thinking it was mostly for vibration damping, but I could be wrong.
(It was eliminated concurrently with the 88s going to internal balance.)
Title: Re: Weak cradle?
Post by: Fierofool on January 28, 2020, 10:42:38 am: Never thought of that. The reason I thought it was to take up torque movement was because my 2nd 85 developed a pop when shifting or accelerating and decelerating. Sometimes there was a rattle while driving. I found that the bolts had come out of the bracket that mounts to the cradle. Once I replaced them the noise went away.