PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM PROFESSIONAL

To do this, reinstall the spindle nut and turn it clockwise a few threads. You need to remove the bearing and grease seal from the rotor. Slide the rotor out slightly to remove the keyed washer and outer bearing. It is not necessary to use a socket and ratchet, as the nut does not have much torque on it. Use an adjustable wrench to turn the spindle nut counter-clockwise to loosen it. Once the cotter pin has been removed, you have access to the spindle nut. Use needle-nose pliers to straighten the cotter pin and yank it out. Use a larger flat-blade screwdriver to get between the edge of the hub and the dust cap. Use a flat-head screwdriver or pick to snag it and lift it out.Ī dust cap is at the center of the brake rotor. Use a 3/8-inch line wrench to remove the short section of rubber brake line from the steel brake line at the bracket.Ī retainer ring is located at the back side of the brake line bracket. If it’s stubborn, wiggle the caliper off with a rocking motion. The brake caliper should pivot and lift off the mounting bracket. It may be necessary to have a drain pan underneath or at least a shop rag to catch the residual fluid. Remove the rubber brake hose at the caliper with a 7/16- inch wrench. Using a 5/16-inch wrench to loosen the caliper bleeder to relieve pressure. Pinch the rubber brake hose with locking pliers just tightly enough to keep fluid from draining. Step 4: Remove Brake Line to Front Caliper Do not remove the pins yet because you need the caliper in place so you can loosen the rubber brake hose. Use a 3/8-inch Allen socket on a 3/8- or 1/2-inch ratchet to loosen the upper and lower caliper pins. To gain easier access to the caliper pins, turn the steering so the rear is pointing outward. To do that, locate the caliper pins on the back side of the caliper. The first step is to remove the brake calipers. I do not recommend using an impact gun because the lug studs could snap or the studs could develop hidden cracks. I advise breaking the torque on the lug nuts before jacking up the car. Use a lug wrench or breaker bar and socket to remove the lug nuts from the front wheel that is receiving brake service. The braking system of the second-generation Firebird is very good and is relatively inexpensive to replace. Inspect the brake lines to make sure they are not rusted, leaking, or bent. If the Firebird has been sitting for an extended period, it might be prudent to replace every component for safety reasons. You have to determine what needs to be replaced if you are only doing a repair. You may need to replace your brakes for any number of reasons.

PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM PROFESSIONAL

Having a professional shop replace the brakes is something to consider, especially if you use one of the major chains that offer lifetime warranties. Using commonly available hand tools and following simple procedures, you can replace the brakes quickly and save some money too. Replacing the front disc brakes on your Firebird is not a difficult procedure. These systems are also used with resto-modding, which is beyond the scope of this book.īrake upgrades are available that fit behind the factory wheel, but I am not sure that the additional cost translates into braking power that is superior to a perfectly operating factory system. Upgrades are available from various manufacturers, such as Brembo, Baer, SSBC, and Wilwood. When compared to braking systems other manufacturers offered at the time, nothing compared to the Firebird brakes. This 1978 Formula W72 was a limited-performance model with a 400-ci engine, which produced 220 hp and 320 ft-lbs of torque.

Pontiac firebird trans am