1988 PONTIAC FIERO torque

REAR SUSPENSION 3D-5
FRONT OF LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR OF
LOWER CONTROL ARM (R.W. SHOWN L.H. OPPOSITE) (R.H. SHOWN L.H. OPPOSITE)
1. UNDERBODY PAN ASSEMBLY 4. 108 N.rn (80 LBS. FT.)
2. LOWER CONTROL ARM BODY BRACKET 5. AXLE ASSEMBLY
3. UNDERBODY ROCKER PANEL SHEET METAL
Fig.
605 Rear Lower Control Arm
1. PRESS 2. J 22222-5
3.
J 25317-2
4.
J 21465-8
Fig. 606 Removing Bushing; Control Arm
To install the bushing, reverse the tool as shown
in Fig.
607 and push bushing into position. Connect the
rear control arms as outlined in Rear Lower Control
Arm Installation procedure.
TORQUE ARM
Fig. 608 and 609
NOTICE: Coil springs must be removed before
removing torque arm to avoid rear axle forward
twist which may cause axle to shift position and
damage vehicle.
1. PRESS
2. J 25317-2
3.
J 22222-5
4.
J 25317-1
I I Fig. 607 Installing Bushing; Contrcl Arm
Remove or Disconnect
1. Hoist car on a non twin post-type hoist and
support rear axle assembly with an adjustable
lifting device.
2. Track bar mounting bolt at axle assembly and
loosen track bar bolt at body brace.
3. Rear brake hose clip at underbody to allow
additional axle drop.
4. Right and left shock absorber lower attaching
nuts.
5. Carefully lower rear axle. Remove coil springs.
NOTICE: DO NOT suspend rear axle by brake
hose. Damage to hose could result.

30-8 WEAR SUSPENSION
WITH 700 R4 TRANSMISSION
1-41 Nern (30 FT.
LB.)
2-41 Nern (30 FT. LB.)
3-TORQUE ARM
4-27 Nern
(20 FT. LB.)
5-CONVERTER HANGER
6-TORQUE 135
Nern (100 FT. LB.)
Fig. 608 Torque Arm Attachment; Auto. Trans.
6. Torque arm rear attaching bolts. 5. Shocks to rear axle. Toique nuts.
7. Front torque arm outer bracket and remove
6. Thoroughly clean track bar to axle assembly bolt
torque arm. and nut
as outlined under Recommendations for
Reuse of Prevailing Torque Fasteners in Section
Install or Connect OA.
7. Brake line clip to underbody. On Page 3D-1 of this 8. Remove adjustable lifting device and lower car.
section.
1. Position torque arm and loosely install rear
torque arm bolts.
2. Install front torque arm bracket and torque nuts
to 27
N.m (20 1b.ft.) specifications as outlined in
Figs.
608 and 609.
3.
Torque rear torque arm nuts.
4. Position springs and insulators in spring seats and
raise rear axle until rear axle supports weight of
vehicle at normal curb height position.
REAR STABILIZER SHAFT
NOTICE: See NOTICE on Page 3D-1 of this
section.
The rear stabilizer shaft is available on some
models and attaches as shown in Fig.
610.
BUMPER (RUBBER)
The rear axle bumper is located on the top of the
axle housing as shown in Fig.
61 1.

REAR SUSPENSION 3D-7
1. 41 N-rn (30 LBS. FT.)
2. TRANSMISSION
3. BRACKET
4. TORQUE ARM
5. CONVERTER HANGER
Fig. 609 Torque Arm Attachment, Manual Trans.

REAR SUSPENSION 3D-9
"Torque Specifications
................................................ Nut. Shock Absorber to Upper Mount 17 N.m (150 1b.in.)
............................................................ Nut. Shock Absorber to Axle 95 N-m (70 1b.ft.) .................................................................. Bolt. Track Bar to Axle 80 N.m (59 1b.ft.)
....................................................... Nut. Track Bar to Body Bracket 105 N-m (78 1b.ft.)
............................................... Nut. Track Bar Brace to Body Bracket 105 N-m (78 1b.ft.)
Screws. Track Bar Brace to Body ............................................................................ Brace Bracket 47 N.m (34 1b.ft.)
....................................................... Bolt. Control Arm to Rear Axle 108 N-m (80 1b.ft.)
...................................................... Bolt. Control Arm to Underbody 108 N.m (80 1b.ft.)
........................................................ Bolt. Torque Arm Outer Bracket 42 N.m (31 1b.ft.)
Nut. Torque Arm to Rear Axle ............................................................................. Differential 135 N-m (100 1b.ft.)
Bolt. Stabilizer Shaft to Body
Bracket
.................................................................................... 22 N.m (16 1b.ft.)
Screw. Stabilizer Bracket ................................................................................... to Body 47 Nam (35 1b.ft.l
Nut. Stabilizer Shaft Clamp ................................................................................. to U-Bolt 27 N-m (20 1b.ft.)
Bolt. Axle Bumper Bracket ............................................................................ to Underbody 27 N-m (20 1b.ft.)

TIRES AND WHEELS 3E-1
RES AND WHEELS
NOTICE: All wheel bolt and nut fasteners are important attaching parts in that they could affect the
performance of vital components and systems, and/or could result in major repair expense. They must be replaced
with one of the same part number or with an equivalent part if replacement becomes necessary. Do not use a
replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly
to assure proper retention of parts.
CONTENTS
Diagnosis ............................................... Section 3 Tire Repair ................................................... 3E-5
General Information .......................... ..... 3E-1 Waddle ........................................................ 3E-5
........ Replacement Tires ....................... ... 3E- 1 Measuring Wheel Runout ............................ 3E-6
P-Metric Tires ...................... .. ................... 3E-2 Spare Tire ...................................................... 3E-6 ................................................ Tire Placard 3E-2 Match Mounting ......................................... 3E-7
.......................................................... Wheels 3E-2 Balancing Tire and Wheel ............................ 3E-7
....................... Maintenance and Adjustments .............. 3E-2 General Balance Precautions 3E-7 ...................................... Wheel Repair .............................................. 3E-2 Off-Car Balancing 3E-8 .............................. Metric Wheel Nuts and Studs .................... .. 3E-3 On-Car Balancing .. ...... 3E-8
......................................... Inflation of Tires ........................................ 3E-3 Wheel Weights 3E-8 .................... Tire Rotation ........................... ...... . 3E-3 Correcting Non-Uniform Tires 3E-8 .......................... Tire Chain Usage ........................................ 3E-4 Aluminum Wheel Cleaning 3E-9 Aluminum Wheel Hub Cap ......................... 3E-9 Service Operations ..................................... 3E-4 Aluminum Wheel Porosity Repair .............. 3E-9 ......................... Wheel Removal .... .......... 3E-4 Aluminum Wheel Refinishing ...................... 3E-9 Tire Mounting and Dismounting ................. 3E-5 Wheel Nut Torque 3E-10 ......................................
GENERAL INFORMATION ~t is recommended that new tires be installed in
pairs on the same axle. If it is necessary to replace only
The tires and are one tire, it should be paired with the tire having the
designed to operate satisfactorily with loads up to and
most tread, to equalize braking traction. including the full rated load capacity when inflated to
Although they may appear different in tread
the recommended inflation pressures.
design, tires built by different manufacturers with
Correct tire pressures, wheel alignment and identical TPC specification numbers, can be
driving techniques have an important influence on tire
intermixed on the same car. life. Heavy cornering, excessive rapid acceleration, and
heavy braking will increase tire wear.
REPLACEMENT TIRES
Fig. 1
A Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) specification
number is molded in the sidewall near the tire size of
all original equipment tires. This specification number
assures that the tire meets
GM's performance
standards for traction, endurance, dimensions, noise,
handling, rolling resistance, and others. Usually, a
specific TPC number is assigned to each tire size.
When replacing tires, only the size, load range,
and construction as originally on the car are
recommended. This can best be accomplished by
replacing with tires of the same TPC specification
number. Use of any other tire size or construction type
may seriously affect ride, handling,
speedometer/odometer calibration, car ground
clearance and tire clearance to the body and chassis.
This does not apply to the spare furnished with the car.
v// TIRE IDENTIFICATION
Fig. 1 Tire Identification

TIRES AND WHEELS 3E-3
METRIC WHEEL NUTS AND STUDS
Some models use metric wheel nuts and wheel
studs. The nut will have the word "metric" stamped on
its face and the stud will have the letter
"M" stamped
into the threaded end. The word "metric" is stamped
on its head.
The thread size of the metric wheel nuts and
wheel studs are
"MI2 x 1.5". These stand for:
M = Metric
12
= Diameter in millimeters
1.5
= Millimeters per thread
If a broken stud is found, see Section 3C (Front
Suspension) or Section 3D (Rear Suspension) for
replacement procedure.
INFLATION OF TIRES
The pressure recommended for any model is
carefully calculated to give a satisfactory ride,
handling, tread life and load carrying capacity.
Tire pressure, with tires cold, (after car has set for
three hours or more, or driven less than one mile)
should be checked monthly or before any extended trip
and set to the specifications on the tire placard located
on rear face of driver's door. Tire inflation pressure is
also given in Section OB.
Valve caps or extensions should be on the valves
to keep dust and water out.
1. For sustained driving at speeds up to 85
mph (140 km/h), in countries where such
speeds are allowed by law, your tires should be set
at the pressures recommended on your tire
placard.
Sustained driving at speeds
faster than
85 mph (140 km/h), where
permitted
by law, is not advised unless
your car has special high speed tires available
from many tire dealers.
2. Tire pressures may increase as much as 6 psi
when hot.
3. Higher
than recommended pressure can cause:
o Hard ride
o Tire bruising or carcass damage
Rapid tread wear at center of tire
4. Lower
than
recommended pressure can cause:
@ Tire squeal on turns
@ Hard steering
o Rapid and uneven wear on the edges of the
tread
Tire rim bruises and rupture
e Tire cord breakage
o High tire temperatures
o Reduced handling
High fuel consumption
5. Unequal pressure on same axle can cause:
Uneven braking
o Steering lead
o Reduced handling
e Swerve on acceleration
TlRE ROTATION
Fig. 5
To equalize wear, rotate tire and wheel assemblies
at intervals specified in Section OB. In addition to
scheduled rotation, the tire and wheel assemblies
should also be rotated whenever uneven tire wear is
noticed.
Due to their design, radial tires tend to wear
faster in the shoulder area particularly in front
positions. Radial
tires in non-drive
iocations may
develop an irregular wear pattern that can increase tire
noise if not rotated. This makes regular rotation
especially necessary.
After rotation, be sure to check wheel nuts for
specified torque.
On
F Carline with P245/50VR16 tires and 16"
wheels, special rotation provisions must be followed.
Since the tires are directional, and the front and rear
wheels have different offsets, the tires must be
dismounted from the wheels for rotation. Remove the
tires from the wheels, and mount on the appropriate
wheel, as shown in the rotation diagram. Be sure the
arrows on the tires point in the direction the tire turns.
Rebalance the
tire/wheel assemblies using
nylon-coated weights. Adjust
F/R tire pressures, and
torque wheel nuts to specifications.
ACCEPTABLE ROTATION PATTERN
FOR REAR WHEEL
DRIVE GARS
DO NOT INCLUDE "TEMPORARY USE ONLY" SPARE TlRE IN ROTATION
Fig. 5 Tire Rotation - Rear-Wheel Drive

3E.4 TIRES AND WHEELS
TIRE CHAIN USAGE
Fig. 6
Due to limited tire-to-body clearance on certain
cars, tire chain usage recommendations have been
published in the Owner's Manual. When chains are to
be used, most current
GM cars require SAE Class "S"
tire chains. These may also be designated as 1100
Series, Type PL tire chains. These chains are specially
designed to limit the "fly off' effect that occurs when
the wheel rotates.
Manufacturers of tire chains have a specific chain
size for each tire size to ensure proper fit when
installed. Therefore, be sure to purchase the correct
chains for the tires on which they are to be used.
Rubber adjusters should not be used to take up slack
or clearance in chains which are loose due to incorrect
size. Always follow the chain manufacturers
installation instructions.
Use of chains may adversely affect car handling.
When using chains:
@ Adjust speed to road conditions
@ Avoid sharp turns
@ Avoid locked-wheel braking
In general, to help prevent chain damage
to your car:
@ Install the chains on the drive tires as tightly as
possible, then tighten them again after driving
1/4 to 1/2 mile (0.4 to
0.8 kilometer). The use of
chains on the non-drive tires is not recommended;
the chains may contact and possibly damage the
car. If you intend to use chains on the non-drive
tires, be sure there is enough clearance.
e Do not exceed 45 mph (70 km/h), or the chain
manufacturer's speed limit, if lower.
@ Drive in a restrained manner and avoid large
bumps, potholes, severe turns and other
maneuvers which could cause the tires to bounce
up and down.
e Follow any other instructions of the chain
manufacturer which do not disagree with the
above.
Additional specific information is
published in the Owner's Manual.
SERVICE OPERATIONS
WHEEL REMOVAL
Fig. 7A
Sometimes wheels can be difficult to remove from
the car due to foreign material or a tight fit between the
wheel center hole and the hub or rotor. These wheels
can be removed without damage as follows:
1. Tighten all wheel nuts on the affected wheel, then
loosen each wheel nut two turns.
2. Lower car onto floor.
3. Rock the car from side to side as hard as possible
using one or more person's body weight to loosen
the wheel, and/or rock the car from
"Drive" to
"Reverse" allowing car to move several feet in
each direction. Apply quick, hard jabs on the
brake pedal to loosen the wheel.
WPE ""P"
1200 SERIES, SAE CUSS ""Up
WPE ""RP"
4800 SERIES, LUG-REINFORCED
Fig. 6 Examples of Passenger Car Tire Chains
4.
Raise the car. Remove the wheel nuts and the
wheel.
Penetrating oil has not been found to be effective
in removing tight wheels, however,
if it is used, it
should be applied sparingly to the wheels center hole
area only.
DO not allow the penetrating oil to get on
the vertical surfaces between the wheel and the drum
(or rotor) because penetrating oil in this area could
cause the wheel to work loose as the car is driven
causing loss of control.
NEVER use heat to loosen a tight wheel because
the application of heat to the wheel can shorten the life
of the wheel, wheel bolts and/or wheel bearings.
Excessive force such as hammering the wheel or
tire can also cause damage and is not recommended.
Slight tapping of the tire side wall, such as with one's
hand or a rubber mallet, is normally acceptable.
Before installing wheels, remove any build up of
corrosion on the wheel mounting surface and brake
drum or rotor mounting surface by scraping and wire
brushing. Installing wheels without good
metal-to-metal contact at the mounting surfaces can
cause wheel nuts to loosen, which can later allow the
wheel to come off causing loss of control.
Wheel nuts must be tightened in sequence and to
proper torque to avoid bending wheel or brake drum
or rotor.
0P"FIONAL 16" WHEEL
Fig. 7
Firebirds equipped with optional 16" cast
aluminum wheels and cast iron brake
drums will

TIRES AND WHEELS 3E-9
Another method is to dismount the tire and
rotate it 180 degrees on the rim. It is important that
this be done on tire and wheel assemblies which are
known to be causing a vibration as it is just as likely to
cause good assemblies to vibrate.
Refer to Section 3, "Vibration Diagnosis" for
more details.
ALUMINUM WHEEL CLEANING
Aluminum wheels should be cleaned and waxed
regularly. Do not use abrasive cleaners, as they could
damage the protective coating.
ALUMINUM WHEEL HUB CAP
Remove or Disconnect
1. Tire and wheel assembly
2. Place a block of wood approximately 2" in
diameter with a squared off end against the back
surface of the cap.
A sharp hammer biow on the
block of wood will
remove the cap.
Install or Connect
1. Place
cap into position at wheel opening and
place a block of wood at least three inches in
diameter against cap face. Install cap by striking
block of wood with hammer.
2. Tire and wheel assembly
NOTICE: Failure to hit cap squarely without the
load distributed evenly could result in permanent
damage to the cap.
ALUMINUM WHEEL POROSITY REPAIR
1. Remove tire and wheel assembly.
2. Locate
leaking areas by inflating tire to 345
kPa
(50 psi) and dipping tire and wheel assembly into
a water bath.
3. Mark
leak areas and remove tire from wheel.
4. Scuff inside surface at leak area with 80 grit
sandpaper and clean area with general purpose
cleaner such as
3M #08984 or equivalent.
5. Apply 1/8" thick layer of adhesive/sealant P/N
1052366 or equivalent to leak area and allow
twelve hours of drying time.
6. Mount tire on wheel, pressurize to 345 kPa (50
psi) and check for leaks.
CAUTION: To avoid serious personal
injury, do not stand over tire when
inflating. Bead may break when bead
snaps over safety hump. Do not
exceed
275 kPa (40 psi) pressure
when inflating any tire if beads are
not seated.
14 275 kPa (40 psi)
pressure will not seat beads, deflate,
relubricate the beads and reinflate.
Overinflation may cause the bead to
break and cause serious personal
injury.
7. Adjust
tire pressure to meet specifications.
8. Balance tire and wheel assembly.
9. Install tire and wheel assembly.
ALUMINUM WHEEL REFINISHING
A protective clear or color coating is applied to
the surface of original equipment cast aluminum
wheels.
A surface degradation condition can begin to
develop if frequent, repeated automatic car wash
cleaning abrades or wears off the factory applied
protective coating. This can happen at some automatic
car wash facilities using aggressive silicon carbide
tipped tire brushes
to clean white walls and tires. Once
the protective coating is
damaged, exposure to caustic
cleaners and/or road salt further causes surface
degradation. The following procedure details how to
strip, clean
and recoat aluminum wheels that are
affected by these conditions.
Required Materials:
A~nchern Alumi Prep #33 - stock
#DX533 or equivalent - cleaning and
conditioning chemical for aluminum.
Amchem Alodine
# 1001 - stock #DXSOT
or equivalent - coating chemical for
aluminum.
Ditzler Delclear Acrylic Urethane Clear
-
stock #DAU-75 or equivalent.
Ditzler Delthane Ultra-Urethane Additive
- stock DXR-80 or equivalent.
Service Procedure:
1. Mark wheel and wheel stud for position on car.
2. Remove tire and wheel assembly from car.
3. Mark location of outboard weights and remove.
4. Wash wheel inside and out with water base all
purpose cleaner. Remove grease and oil with
solvent cleaner.
5. Mask off tire prior to painting.
6. Select and follow the correct procedure,
"Aluminum Damage on Wheel Surface" or
"Clear Coat Damage on Unpainted Wheels".
7. Replace wheel weights with nylon coated
weights.
8. Install tire and wheel assembly on car and tighten
wheel nuts to proper torque.
Accent Color Preparation
1. Sand over painted areas that will not require
recoloring with 400 grit (wet or dry) to promote
adhesion of clear coat.
Aluminum Damage on Wheel Surface
1. Mount tire and wheel on brake lathe and spin
slowly.
2. Sand wheel with backing block or pad by holding
abrasive flat to surface of wheel and moving
slowly back and forth from center to outer edge
to remove damage. Use the following sandpaper
grits in the order listed.
A. Sand with 80 grit
B. Sand with 150 grit
C. Sand with 240 grit
3. Continue with "Recoating Procedure."