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.
Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 10 - Wheels and Tires
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Bulletin 68-I-51 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 10, dated March 25, 1968. Attention: Service Manager.
Subject: Premature Tread Wear — Wide Oval Tires.
Short answer: Over-inflation causes Wide Oval tires to wear prematurely in the center rib. Maintain 24 PSI cold (front and rear) unless carrying a full-rated load.
Early tread wear in the center rib section on Wide Oval tires can be caused by incorrect inflation pressure. The illustration (see Fig. 1 in the scan below) shows a normal tread wear pattern; the upper shaded portion depicts the wear pattern resulting from over-inflation.
It is recommended that Wide Oval tires be maintained at 24 PSI* for both front and rear wheels to minimize the possibility of early wear. Higher inflation will tend to abnormally distort the tire contact surface and cause the center ribs to assume a disproportionate share of the work.
Inflations above 24 PSI should only be used when the vehicle is driven with “full-rated” loads, as described in the Owner’s Manual.
*Always check tire pressure when tires are cold.
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Bulletin 68-I-75 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 10, dated May 31, 1968. Attention: Service Manager.
Subject: Wheel Balancing — Disc Brake Equipped Vehicles.
Short answer: Some dealers have had difficulty balancing front wheels on disc-brake-equipped vehicles using on-the-car balancers because the brake pads rub the disc and prevent the wheel from spinning fast enough. Two solutions are available: a two-motor balancer or the Kent-Moore tool J 22801 Disc Brake Pad Spacer.
There are two solutions for this condition:
- Balance equipment suppliers offer a two-motor balancer, which covers heavy-duty and disc brake applications.
- A special tool is available from Kent-Moore for balancing disc brake wheels. Tool J 22801 (Disc Brake Pad Spacer), price $4.90, is used to spread the brake pads away from the disc, greatly reducing the “dragging” tendency during the balancing operation.
Note: The wheel must be removed to install the spacers (see Fig. 1 in the scan below).
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 9, 2026 at 7:10 am

