All this trouble to change a $15 part.

[TopNotch]

There are some in the club that don't even know about my 88 t-top coupe. It's been that long since I have driven it. The throw-out bearing is bad, and changing it is a real chore.
Well, I finally found time to start the job. I found the part online for only $15 (factory close-out from Rock Auto). Here's what I have to go through to change that little part.
First, I had to disconnect everything and lift the car off the engine and transmission, which are still on the cradle...


The cradle rests on a modified Harbor Freight furniture dolly.


And now that the cherry picker has done it's job, the car rests on jack stands and a board.


Now the cradle is out from under the car, but the day is done, so the repair will have to wait for another day.

[Fierofool]

I know what you mean by having to pay $1500 to get a $5 part installed.  $1500 is what was quoted for replacing the TO bearing on our 3 year old 88 Beretta.  If it would make you feel any better, I'll buy your TO bearing for $20 and sell you mine for $200.  Then the cost to work ratio will be a little better. 

[Roger]

OUCH!
While you are in there you might as well install a lightweight flywheel...new tranny input shaft seal...bearing arm bushings; etc.
 
Those are some nice pix and that's probably the cleanest engine/cradle assembly out of a Fiero I've ever seen!

[TopNotch]

BTW, if you need to do this,and you're tempted to grab onto the trunk latch with your cherry picker to pick up the car, DON'T! It's not that hard to remove the rear bumper cover so you can grab onto something more substantial.

[Raydar]

Throwout bearing....
Sounds like a real bite in the posterior. Nice clean cradle.

[pgackerman]

I admire your automotive skill, tenacity, and photography.

[TopNotch]

Here's an update. The car is back on the road, and runs fine. The throw-out bearing was indeed toast. The little spring clip that holds it to the fork was also broken, and the new one didn't come with a spring clip. But I was able to make a substitute out of paper clips that seems to work just fine.