Chevrolet / GMC 1500: Broken Rear Leaf Spring

In this video I show the very common repair of replacing the broken leaf in the center of the three leaf pack on the rear of 2007 up Chevrolet and GMC 1500's. -Enjoy!
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained

[@diymisfit_Mechanic_UDX404]

Nice job welding those ubolts back together. 👍😁😂🤣

[@alphaladog]

shined up nice, didn't they?

[@diymisfit_Mechanic_UDX404]

@@alphaladog hell yeah lol

[@danlevesque5437]

You can't even tell it came from the rust belt 😂

[@diymisfit_Mechanic_UDX404]

@@danlevesque5437 He's that good!

[@diymisfit_Mechanic_UDX404]

@M DC oh I'm sure, I saw it on a meme, it's gotta be true. LOL

[@nelsongibson5721]

Eric. After watching you for several years. You have given me the confidence to tackle just about any problem on my 1994 GMC Sierra. Thanks for all you do and show us.

[@hugh007]

The necessary field of knowledge and dexterity to fix modern cars is unequaled in others fields. From scoping faulty signals from sensors and CAN bus troubles to replacing a single leaf in a rear spring: brain surgery and blacksmithing skills in one Tech. Thanks for passing it along to the rest of us.

[@Freightshaker97]

Watched this video twice and managed to replace my second leaf in an hour after a regular shop wanted close to $500. Appreciate the content you provide, keep it up.

[@Roger-pw3zz]

Happy to see that the fuel tank doesn't have a very small leak.

[@dougkubash8673]

Helping a friend with a set of sacked out rear springs on a 3/4 ton Chevy with a low budget we cut the center bolt and tapped the individual leaves with a ballpein hammer , wire brushed them and put them back together and lo and behold the springs come back to life. Saved him and ton of money and he went back to hauling wood again with no problems.

[@benyunik9314]

Being a mechanic in P.A.,, I just smile every time you break out the torches. Nothing like wrenching in the rust belt.

[@jamesbatdorf1665]

Ben Yunik. I second that, north east Ohio here. 5 minutes from Sharon PA. Lol

[@benyunik9314]

@@jamesbatdorf1665 I'm out Linesville way... the struggle is real man.

[@CubasAutomotive]

Recognize the sound right away, that's for sure! I'm in Philly here. Lol

[@spunkmire2664]

Central PA area!

[@dylanandersen9318]

I feel bad for all you poor bastards. Southern Ga tech here and I don't even know what rust is. 😂

[@cojones8518]

Always a good video when you have fire, molten metal, a rusty truck, and Ms Hanna.

[@Waccoon]

If there's one thing about mechanic videos, they always end up being more fascinating than you think. Keep on truckin', and we'll keep watchin'. 8)

[@jonburkholder1972]

I drive a Dodge Dakota, 03. Replaced both sets of springs this past weekend. Was told had to drop the fuel tank to get to the driver side bolt. Nope, don't need to. Since I was replacing them, I simply cut the bolt, popped the cut off end out beside the tank. When I replaced it, I put the bolt in the other way, but towards the gas tank. Simple fix. BTW, was told to do that by a fella that had worked in a spring shop for 29 years

[@ericjohnson9080]

Great vid. I was going to just replace the spring set. Just? Remove the gas tank? Geeze! So now thanks to you and your ATS recommendation I will be replacing "just" #2 spring. Thanks again!

[@fascistpedant758]

Welded springs! Must be one of Ivan's costumers!

[@Enrique2k52]

I'm watching you almost since he beginning in youtube and I'm never tired to see you work, you are so good mechanic you taught me a lot Thank you.

[@angryfrigginliberalinpenns1314]

On another note, I also live in a Salt state, PA, while it doesn't get as crazy in NY (I lived in Syracuse for 15 years), we see Rusty vehicles constantly and I don't understand why. I traded my 2012 F150 after owning it for 7 years no RUST (I live int he Poconos)... Dealer asked me how is your truck not Rusty... I said because I take the time to clean it especially the undercarriage even during the winter after a snow event and they salt within a day or two I hit the self serve car-wash and spray the hell out of the wheel wells and get down and spray the underbody or I take it through a high-pressure auto wash to get it cleaned down. then 1st warm day of the spring she is pressure washed again and then undercoated with the Rustoleum undercarriage protectant, did this while living in Syracuse, my 2005 300C still has no Rust

[@laserleftfootttt7683]

and all this time, I thought I was the only one who is obsessive-compulsive enough to do this! my 1983 car did 4 winters in New Jersey (damp and freezing or hot and humid are the two seasons there).

[@nopenottalib4366]

How do you know when you're insanely biased towards a KZbin channel? When you give the video a "Like" before you even watch it. Two thumbs up. Would definitely "Like" before watching again.

[@georgewhiteman7341]

In the 1980's and 90's I drove for Triangle Suspensions and delivered to many of their customers and distributors. Triangle manufactured high quality, though not cheap, springs during the years I drove for them. I often delivered to Thruway Springs up on Mt Read Blvd and found them to be very nice folks. The broken leaf you removed, with the help of your flame wrench, looked like a 22-1487#2. I hauled hundreds of those to many customers, mostly east of the Mississippi. It's funny how part numbers stick with you, even years after you've handled them regularly. Good job Eric!

[@1013redoak]

So nice to see Ms Hannah back helping out!

[@SimpleLife1971]

Eric, you're just having way to much fun in your shop...........and I'm glad you're kind enough to share it!

[@glj100]

Thanks Eric, keep me going for a while yet. Worth the trip to you to fix it.

[@hanskinslo326]

Glad you took your truck to Eric, to have it done right, by a good guy!

[@bodegaconnoisseur2548]

So what’re ya haulin that broke that spring?

[@glj100]

Matthew Marullo it was a truck that was used in the woods for hunting I got

[@CamaroTime]

I watch a ton of your videos. Just never comment. But I was sitting here watching this one and was like, dang he does a lot to try and help others. So I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time and show us everything that goes into finding and repairing problems on today's cars

[@ozzstars_cars]

The torch master does it again.

[@defendermender4959]

Ozzstar he’s getting the practice in for the retirement scrap yard dream 👍🏻😂

[@wyattoneable]

Yea for Hanna sticking around. It always amazes me how many different breakdowns you see based on location. It has to be about location because I've owned a dozen Chevy trucks and never heard of a spring breaking. Never-the-less, great instructional video as always!

[@ThePlowGuys]

Didn't know you can weld together and re-use bolts like that. I am going to save oodles of money now. LMAO

[@bigtonka82]

Man I should have thought about that years ago lmao

[@alphawolf2993]

literally tens of dollars!

[@KevinJohnson-fx6wq]

That was pretty quick and efficient. I changed both sets of rear springs on the back of my sister's '86 Granada many years ago. Wasn't that bad except right rear shackle was a real bear to get out and I even had a torch. Thanks for sharing.

[@Paul1958R]

Eric, Great video and fix. I love the way you welded up those U-bolts - great job! SMA#1 God bless Paul

[@adamtrombino106]

I watched because back in the day we had a fleet of security trucks, late 06 -11, that would break springs all the time. At the time, the only way we could get them was as an assembly from Chevy, which meant yeah, you had to drop the tank 1st. GM would reimburse us for the job that way, but would NOT if we used a local provider to replace just the broken leaf. So..... I've never done it your way, Eric, and wanted to see your process. I personally think the local spring shop had the fix, by adding an extra 1/2 leaf, as an assembly with new u bolts, center stud, etc. After GM stopped their recall for fleet vehicles, we used them, but again, the tank had to come out.. Never a comeback though.. So thx for sharing!

[@stevefleck5892]

Thank you Mr. O. You made that look too easy. I always get nervous with sparks around the feed bag...

[@handyandy7706]

Ohhh Nooo , the air compressor turned on. now someone will whine about shop noise. I'm glad to see Hannah is back for a minute, love the banter.

[@j.k.o6595]

Eric you are a guru of mechanics I just like the way you rebuilt difficult parts you're one of the kind no mechanic Comes Close to You honesty stay dirty 👍💪✌

[@orville58]

Ivan would have welded that one up for sure lol nice video man I love starting my day with a little s.m.a.

[@bm03431]

Welcome back Hannah!

[@sierravortec2629]

Still my favourite channel on KZbin !

[@tomd5010]

Us South Main Auto viewers sure like these rugged videos, with things like dirt, fire, rusty metal, pry bars and ball peen hammers. All it was missing was caustic chemicals.

[@hanskinslo326]

And Brake Cleaner!

[@Techman4567]

Eric! You make it look sooooo easy! Nice video.

[@allennfla420]

Always great videos..thanks for the info

[@fire7765]

Great job Eric, thx for sharing.

[@philsnyderjr6889]

I love your channel! I work on my own stuff outta my garage and frie ds vehicles sometimes too amd ive gotten some pretty good tips from your videos !! Keep up the great work and keep the great videos coming Mr. O !!

[@jamesbruno5896]

You swapped that leaf out like a boss! 👊

[@jaredstrehlein5605]

SMA saves the day in a big way.

[@williegillie5712]

Well ya had that done in about 1/4 the time it takes me. Nice job Eric

[@ArcticAstrophysics]

Lived in Northwest Ohio for over 20 years and now live in Texas and the difference between rust and corrosion is mind blowing!! You see 30 and 40 year old daily drivers with not a spec of rust on them, back north you see brand new trucks only a few years old with rust and corrosion on them. Damn salt in the winters is so bad for metal

[@scottfirman]

I remember replacing the rear springs in my 78 Maverick. It was a 4 door. I replaced them with those from a 2 door. They lasted till spring, then they both broke again. They were used and free. My neighbor wanted to weld them. I told him for $48 I could buy new ones. I sold it that fall. I still miss it. That inline 6 ran forever. I had it 4 years and went everywhere you shouldnt with it. The two door models sucked in the winter. Leaf springs are so fun.

[@DaveSomething]

yeah, FIRE! nice Beavis reference there :)

[@baxrok2.]

Well done sir. Thanks Dr. O!

[@simcoespring]

The rust will build up between your leaves in your springs. The small plates between the leaves allows you to be able to power wash your springs out. It also give the rust space to build up before "rust jacking" the leaves apart. We pretty much do the same job in our shop almost every day. If you live in Canada we sell these kits as well on our website.

[@alphawolf2993]

didnt even try to unscrew the ubolts. I respect that.

[@mikelovin7]

It's always a good vid when the blue tip wrench comes out. :)

[@brianp5579]

So happy you found your hat!

[@vstrom9586]

You definitely don't mind a torch around the fuel tank. Good work all around

[@audikris]

Some of the finest U Bolt reconstruction i've ever seen

[@marcinmorris]

Eric - with all the tools you have in your shop I would feel like a children in toys store. It would be the most happy day of my life :)

[@petemedina8446]

That's was another gravy job. Nice welding skills you managed to the U-bolts together to make look new....

[@Shockedbywater]

When I was 17-18 I had a big old Kingswood Wagon that the rear leafs broke on and not having money I welded the entire spring packs together, it rode like hell but went many more months that way. LOL

[@xIntoThePitx]

More scrap metal for your collection. You should be due for a Spring scrap run soon. Been awhile since ya did one of those vids.

[@Marco-cb3oh]

Being from New Mexico I’m always amazed by the amount of rust you put up with.

[@joses7474]

My daughter moved to Florida and took her grandfather's trailblazer with her. It developed a gas leak a mechanic got under the truck omg this truck has so much rust you should pull the motor and tranny out and get another body. The body on the truck is in great shape only rust is on lift gate and the frame does have surface rust. I just laughed and said he must have never worked on a vehicle from new York state

[@markurban4766]

That rust makes me homesick for upstate NY... NOT. I've had enough vehicles dissolve out from under me. Down here in Virginia, when I get my '89 GMC K1500 inspected every year, they always comment on the surface rust it's got underneath... I always tell them that they've never seen "real" rust!

[@IBenZik]

Don't weld your leaf spring fellows". I thought the same thing 5 seconds before you said it. And your replay of Tubular Bells ain't cutting it! :-)

[@JLamond219]

Great job Mr. O...

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Nice repair Eric O

[@donnierobertson3088]

Great job again like always A+

[@Yawwee]

Good job, very informative, know what to do if I ever have to change a leaf spring !!!!! Why do they call it a "" Leaf "" spring when it doesn't look anything like a leaf ????????

[@benjaminstockton3917]

Good job Eric O.

[@jmcenterprises9591]

Good one thanks Eric

[@oldschoolman6572]

Gm all the way! Never mess with it again ! Good video !

[@kellyt5056]

So you welded the u joint back together. I would not thought of that saves money. Did a good job

[@mpj16]

I just bought my Explorer springs from them. Got the HD ones at that. They are fantastic.

[@vincescalise4821]

great repair video on a very rusty crusty Chevrolet

[@ronnoc519]

Just ordered my dad an Astro Nano 1/2" impact for work. Hope he likes it!

[@joegrau5431]

Ats is a good company I used to use them when I worked at ford they were right down the road they are a local company for me great people

[@jrac863]

Another great video brother

[@georgegohr1767]

Good job, great video. keep em comin.

[@Bekim8310]

Here in NYC every shop is a peal’em and stick’em! Haha.

[@michaelb.5345]

Nice little job there Doc...

[@GLGPROMC]

Love your videos

[@XBaneyX]

Can confirm that the ATS springs dude is awesome. He posts on fordtrucks from time to time and i've bought a set of leafs from him for my 250. He even sends me just ubolts from time to time if i'm not in a hurry although his shipping is pretty quick.

[@sylvainlacoste]

Thank you...I will be able to do it by myself!!!

[@angryfrigginliberalinpenns1314]

Eric, ended up catching W.U.W. late but saw you got a new Woobie, so I sent ya something from Amazon should arrive Monday/Tuesday to go with your Woobie

[@62shalaka]

Man, I wish you lived near me! We could use a mechanic that knows what they're doing!

[@63256325N]

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.... Thanks for the video.

[@PhatboyHD88]

Hey buddy so i posted in yesterdays live stream in comments about how you helped me with my misfire and sure enough all the electrodes were completely gone ,, i bought it from original owner and i guess she never changed them ,, so they had 200k miles on them,, and i replaced them with the NGK Laser platinum like you did and it runs perfect so i really owe you a sincere thank you ,, you saved me a ton of money...

[@Bunkysworkshop]

That is one fast gun you got there mate. LOL. Loving the videos.

[@stephendee7839]

Since you asked: the u clips on the end of the middle spring stop it from twisting sideways in the pack. Your final assembly left the helper spring free to twist where the previous pack had clips fore and aft of the u-bolts.

[@normangallant9879]

Good job

[@richardmassey5005]

Spring jobs are fun!!!

[@gregory2622]

Great video. 👍👍😎

[@FrankRuiz66]

Woo hoo.. A two fer.. Spring pack repair and Hanna bonus..

[@rodpalm6398]

Man those U bolts welded back up nicely LOL.

[@wilassguess]

Keep this up gonna be bigger than that dude in Dallas Texas. Ahhh! Richard Rollins.

[@j.cooper2246]

Wow New York is really tough on vehicles you can see the salt eating that vehicle way in front of your eyes. I live in Michigan and my 2004 only has a few specks of rust on it. I don't think it would make it 2 years in New York by the looks of that vehicle. Like Eric says pennies from heaven falling on the concrete. Thanks for the vajayo...lol... I just replaced both Leaf packs on my Silverado. And shackles,But I upgraded to a little beefer Spring. We have a company here In Saginaw Michigan That you can purchase from, and they're close enough I went and picked them up as opposed to paying shipping..kick the tires and light the fire..its spring boys....

[@KPearce57]

1991 Silverado 476,000 miles no rust. Texas

[@billmaxfield7831]

SAG inaw lol i get it!!

[@dustinbornhoft2313]

Michigan Truck Spring. We buy our springs from them too. The rust is bad here in southeast Michigan but it's the potholes that will get ya!!

[@fredshead7114]

Like your style Eric....

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

I remember on my 65 Chevy we would wrap them in tar and burlap of course these ones also have a long torsion bars that came from halfway up the frame and kept the axle straight these would rest out and we would both come to gather but that was a long time ago My 2000 Chevy half ton looks brand new to that one but I only use it in the winter.

[@marty0715yt]

Bob DISCO!!!!! Does he have a shiny ball that spins???? He's a cool dude!

[@iandamianluciferwilson7385]

Please give notice of cutting with a torch. I didn’t have time to put my safety glasses on. Good job Mr, always good too see you having fun with a hammer.

[@adred42]

I love the torch work near the gas tank😂😂😂😂safety 3rd!!

[@leedress2187]

If I can do it, you can do it, if you've got the torch, a 50 gallon air compressor, and maybe a lift too.. LOL nice work.

[@fascistpedant758]

It's funny you mentioned the compressor last night. It doesn't usually bother me, but it seemed twice as loud in this vid. BTW, Mee-Maw's cure for that cold was to rub the soles of your feet with garlic for 6-10 days, works almost every time. (and take plenty of ice cream)

[@mannys9130]

Probably just needs an oil change. The compressor in our shop started getting noisier than normal so I changed out the straight 30 grade oil and it quieted down a good amount.

[@fascistpedant758]

He may also have just placed the camera a little closer to the compressor on the new tripod. I don't know if he has an intake muffler/resonator. If we knew the make and model of his compressor someone could send him one. Come to think of it, I think he's also wearing a mic.

[@tommyj19751]

Had to replace the entire leafs on my 03 blazer zr2. Broke at front perch where it wrapped around mount. General spring sells usa made springs. Mine were $135 each. It raised the rear about 2 inches. Because orginal springs were shot.

[@rcbigsmall5810]

Great VID im in Canada so i know all about the rust

[@rcbigsmall5810]

@canuckguy worried Vancouver

[@rcbigsmall5810]

@canuckguy worried Born in surrey now living in Princeton

[@MultiArrie]

The firewrech always fits perfectly.

[@jackpatteeuw9244]

I have not seen the HF "Earthquake" battery impact in awhile ! Ooppss !! Late entrance ! Tell Hanna we want to see her smiling face instead of just a walk-by in the background.