This Chilton DIY repair and service manual, covers 1967-1981Pontiac Firebird, including the following models:

• Firebird Esprit
• Firebird Formula
• Firebird Turbo Formula
• Firebird Trans Am
• Firebird Turbo Trans Am

All U.S. and Canadian models.
Book Excerpt: 1967-1981 Pontiac Firebird Repair Manual BRAKES

FRONT DISC BRAKES | DISC BRAKE PADS INSPECTION (See Figure 7) Brake pads should be inspected once a year or every 7,500 miles, whichever occurs first. Check both ends of the outboard shoe, looking in at each end of the caliper, and then check the lining thickness on the inboard shoe, looking down through the inspection hole. The lining should be more than 0.020 in. thick above the rivet (so that the lining is thicker than the metal backing). Keep in mind that any applicable state inspection standards that are more stringent take precedence. All four pads must be replaced if one shows excessive wear. NOTE: All 1979 and later models have a wear indicator that makes a noise when the linings wear to a degree where replacement is necessary. The spring clip is an integral part of the inboard shoe and lining. When the brake pad reaches a certain degree of wear, the clip will contact the rotor and produce a warning noise. REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION | 1967-1968 MODELS

1. Siphon off about two-thirds of the brake fluid from a full master cylinder.
2. Raise the car and support it with jackstands. Remove the wheels.
NOTE: Replacing the pads on just one wheel will result in uneven braking. Always replace the pads on both wheels.
3. Extract and discard the pad retaining pin cotter key.
4. Remove the retaining pin and, while removing one pad, insert its replacement before the piston has time to move outward. If you were too slow and the pistons too fast, it will be necessary to use a wide-bladed pry tool to hold in the pistons while inserting the new pads. If this gives you difficulty, open the bleeder screw on that caliper and release some of the fluid, but do not allow the fluid to drain from the master cylinder. This may reduce the pressure and make it easier to push in on the pistons. After removing the outboard pad, inspect and compare it with the inboard pad. They may be slightly different; if so, make sure that the replacement pads are installed correctly.
5. After installing the new pads, install the retaining pin and a new cotter pin.
6. Refill the master cylinder and bleed the system as necessary.

BODY | FENDERS

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION FRONT NOTE: This is a general procedure which applies to all models. It may need certain slight modifications to apply to your specific vehicle.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Open the hood and disengage the front side marker light wiring connectors.
3. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts slightly. Raise and safely support the front of the vehicle on jackstands. Remove the front wheel(s).
4. Remove the trim panels from the wheel well and lower fender edge by removing the mounting screws. Remove the lower trim panel retaining strip by disengaging the mounting clips with a small pry tool.
5. From inside the wheel well, remove all of the fender-to-wheel well attaching bolts.
6. Remove all of the mounting bolts from along the bottom edge of the fender.

Subject: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 Pontiac Firebird service, maintenance, repair. ISBN-10: 0801990653 | ISBN-13: 9780801990656 | Chilton 28600