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 - Steering
Bulletin 68-I-67 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 9, dated March 1, 1968. Attention: Service Manager.
Subject: 1968 Pontiac, Tempest and Firebird — Torque Specification Change on Idler Arm Bolts.
Short answer: The torque specification for the Nut, Idler Arm Support to Frame (page 9-49 of the 1968 Pontiac Service Manual) has been reduced from 40 lb. ft. to 35 lb. ft. Update service manuals accordingly.
Effective with the date of this bulletin, the torque specification for Nut, Idler Arm Support to Frame, listed on page 9-49 of the 1968 Pontiac Service Manual, is changed from 40 lb. ft. to 35 lb. ft.
Please have your mechanics change their service manuals accordingly.
Refer to 1968 Pontiac Service Manual page 9-49
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Bulletin 68-I-76 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 9, dated June 7, 1968. Attention: Service Manager.
Subject: Service of Variable Ratio Power Steering — 1968 Firebird.
Short answer: Variable Ratio Power Steering has been released on all 1968 Firebird models and reduces steering wheel travel by about 30%. When servicing the variable ratio gear, use the Firebird power steering adjustment specs on page 9-27 of the 1968 Service Manual; note that this gear has 24 recirculating balls (vs. 22 for the constant ratio) and a flanged pitman shaft needle bearing race that must be removed and installed from the pitman arm side only. An oil cooler pipe is required on models with numerically high axle ratios.
If it becomes necessary to service the variable ratio gear, use the adjustment specifications starting on page 9-27 of the 1968 Service Manual pertaining to the Firebird power steering gear.
The variable ratio gear has 24 rack-piston nut recirculating balls (compared to 22 for the constant ratio). Feed 17 balls into the rack-piston return guide hole nearest the Teflon piston ring, and fill one-half of the ball return guide with the remaining 7 balls.
The pitman shaft needle bearing race has a flanged projection at its outside diameter. Because of the flange, the bearing must be removed and installed from the pitman arm side of the housing only. Use tool J 6278-1 with adapter J 6278-3.
Caution: Damage will result when removing the bearing if an attempt is made to drive it in the direction shown for the constant ratio gear (Figure 9-57 of 1968 Service Manual).
An oil cooler pipe and associated parts are required on all models with numerically high axle ratios as indicated below:
| Engine | A/C | Axle Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Cyl. | with A/C | All |
| V-8 | with A/C | 2.93 and above |
| 6 Cyl. & V-8 | without A/C | 3.36 and above |
Flat Rate: Operation No. 095-110-02, Flat Rate Time: .4 hr.
*Also applies to Pontiac models with variable ratio gear.
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The curved, stepped pitman arm is correct for a 1969 (and 1968) — not the flat/straight one (which is a 1967 part). The step drops the driver’s side of the drag link lower; that’s how it left the factory.
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Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The pitman arm spline lets it go on in four positions 80° apart. Easiest: if you pull the old one without moving anything, the new one goes on the same way. From scratch, center the steering (turn lock-to-lock counting turns; center is half), straighten the tires, and the correct position will be apparent — then get an alignment.
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Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: To add power steering to a 1968 400, use all the engine-mounted hardware (pulleys, brackets) from a 1968 Pontiac V-8 — each year differs. The best gearbox is a 1978–81 Trans Am WS-6 (2.2 turns lock-to-lock, high-effort, great feel); next best is any 1969–81 Trans Am box.
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Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: You can simply reseal your leaking box (not a big job), but many prefer swapping in a newer, quicker, higher-effort box for better road feel — the output shaft and frame bolts are identical, so a later Z28/Trans Am box bolts in (about 2.2–2.5 turns lock-to-lock).
- Best: the 1978–81 box with the WS-6 package (all 1979 Silver Anniversary cars; a 4-wheel-disc clue) — 2.2 turns lock-to-lock, awesome feel. No external markings, so verify it’s still in its original car before paying up (~$150). Works on 1964–72 A-bodies too, but turning radius is compromised.
- Fittings: a 1976–78 Z28/Trans Am box still uses the imperial hose fittings; later boxes switched to metric O-ring fittings (have new hoses made).
- Input shaft: some later boxes have a smaller-diameter input shaft — a coupling from an old manual gearbox can mate it to the car’s flex coupling.
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Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Power-steering-related pulley part numbers:
| Application | Part # | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 all V8 exc. A/C, P.S. | 9796059 | 1 groove, 8″ dia. |
| 1969 F/8 H.T., A/C | 9796061 | 2 groove, 6.25″ dia. (exc. var. pitch fan) |
| 1969 all V8 A/C | 9796062 | 2 groove, 7.18″ dia. (with var. pitch fan) |
| Alternator, 1962–72 all V8 | 1949357 | 2.75″ dia, 1 groove (exc. 62-amp alt.) |
| P.S. pump, 1967–70 V8 exc. A/C, RAV | 9786900 | — |
| P.S. pump, 1967–70 V8 w/A/C exc. RAV | 9786901 | — |
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Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Play usually comes from one of two places: the rubber/fiber steering flex joint (rag joint) or the gearbox.
- Flex joint: with the engine off, have someone rock the wheel a quarter turn — if the upper half moves before the lower, the joint is bad. It’s a cheap auto-parts item (you’ll have to pull the column).
- Gearbox: if the input shaft moves a lot while the pitman arm stays nearly still, the box is sloppy. There’s an adjustment screw with a locknut on top — loosen the locknut, tighten the screw until you feel slight resistance, retighten. If that doesn’t help, find a better/new gearbox.
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Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Correct 1967 steering gearboxes:
Power steering: box ratio 17.5:1 (overall ~21–22:1). Housing assembly #5691674.
Per the service-manual supplement: “The only difference in the Firebird power steering gear assembly is in the amount of travel of the pitman arm. This Firebird has a movement of 35 degrees from center in either direction, accomplished by a thicker end plug and a snap ring at the upper end of the housing between the rack assembly and inner cylinder.”
| Application | Housing Assembly # |
|---|---|
| 6-cyl w/o A/C | 5679271 * |
| 6-cyl with A/C | 7801592 |
| 8-cyl (all) | 7801592 |
* common with Pontiac and Tempest models. There were no optional gear ratios.
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
