Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions for First Generation Firebirds that have been asked and answered on FGF. Special thanks needs to be given to all the FGF members who took the time to respond to other member's questions.
Suspension and Steering - General Info
Short answer: Members rebuild these with a complete kit (PST is popular) plus basic tools, pickle forks, and a big hammer. The fiddly parts are the control-arm bushings/lower ball joint (best pressed out and in at a machine shop, ~$60) and the coil springs.
- Tools: ball-joint separator (spindle from ball joint), cold chisel/grinder/air chisel for the factory-riveted upper ball joints, an arbor press if doing your own A-arm bushings, plus jack stands and penetrating oil.
- Springs: experienced techs report you often don’t need a spring compressor on a first-gen F-body — with the car on stands and a floor jack under the lower A-arm, the spring relaxes enough to pry out and “foot-press” back in (line it up well at the bottom; remove the lower ball-joint grease fitting so it isn’t broken). Others prefer a compressor for safety — your call.
- Time: figure ~5–6 hours for the first side, faster for the second; a weekend total. A good reference is the July 1999 Hot Rod 1967 Camaro/PST kit article.
Re-popping a spring back onto its perch can make a startling loud “POP” — normal, but be careful.
Any proposed updates, changes, pictures, and/or corrections, please use our comment section below (may need to click on permalink to access comments feature). Information is subject to change and offered as is without any warranties or guarantees. Please review our Term's Of Use for more information.
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: A DIY front-end rebuild is straightforward, but a few steps are a pain: removing the rivets holding the upper ball joints (you’ll likely need an air chisel), and separating the tapered tie-rod ends (a pickle fork/spreader helps). You’ll also need a spring compressor.
Any proposed updates, changes, pictures, and/or corrections, please use our comment section below (may need to click on permalink to access comments feature). Information is subject to change and offered as is without any warranties or guarantees. Please review our Term's Of Use for more information.
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 9, 2026 at 7:10 am
