Rear leaf springs - Remove & Replace GMC

GMC with a saggy rear? THIS IS NOT A HOW TO VIDEO!!
Follow along as we take you through the process I used to remove & replace the rear springs.
Here in the rust belt its almost guaranteed that the bolts will be rusted fast in the bushings!!!! this can be a nightmare to say the least! but somehow we managed to power though. Remember This is not A how to video!!!!!
hope you enjoy

[@waynetaylor420]

I disagree with some of the comments here. It is a relief to see an honest video of problems and challenges doing a job. Not just seeing parts on then off, cut film. Thats not how it works in real life. If you want to see that watch the stupid cable shows on sunday.

[@Timbers25]

Thanks for making this great video, and good job using a still camera. I ended up cutting all my bolts off using a 4” and a 6” cutting wheel on an air grinder. Reinstallation was simple. I used brand new U bolts from Husky Springs and bought my leaf springs online from General Spring. On the 2000 Yukon Denali I removed the gas tank straps while keeping the gas tank elevated with a floor jack, I lowered the tank down and pushed it towards the passenger side just enough to slide the bolt in. Once the bolt is in you can slide a 20mm wrench up to hold it tight while you turn the nut on. Thanks again!

[@EXOVCDS]

Some great tips on dealing with stuck fasteners! I would not have thought about spacing the cutoff wheel!

[@robinsonsauto]

Thomas EXOVCDS thank you Thomas!! It's always great hearing from you

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

It was satisfying to see those u-bolts snap right off. Sometimes rust makes it easier, right Will?

[@robinsonsauto]

there was something oddly satisfying about that lol that's correct. in some cases its great but then in others well not so much :) thanks for taking the time Ivan its nice hearing from you!

[@lisandromelendez9545]

Nice job. I'm waiting for my new leafs to arrive. Lol. I have to do that as well plus the oil lines, replace the oil pan and install the new torsion keys to my 96 Tahoe. So I have to order the new shackles. Lots of work, but I'm saving tones of labor money. Once again thanks for the video. 👍

[@wyattoneable]

Very tidy and organized work you do there Will.

[@robinsonsauto]

thank you Wyatt!!! are you back in the states?

[@yungoldhead5600]

I was looking for a repair video that shows u the whole process and prepares you for stuck bolts and etc... This car looks just as rusty as mine being as tho its a fellow p.a truck ... Thanks brutha

[@wysetech2000]

Never tried 6in. before all i have is 4 in. Well done again, Will.

[@buckkalinga9082]

Rarely can I stomach a full KZbin instructional video. Thanks for making something useful and easy to watch. I'm a Union Ironworker by trade, so the double spacer on the grinder and the succinct explanation caught my attention & respect. But it was the double-entendre about needing all 6 inches to get 'er off that made it real. Maybe that sounds stupid but it's just to say that I appreciated seeing something that genuinely made me laugh. When I'm forced into prowling KZbin for instruction, I'll be looking for you. Try to be safe, and thanks again. Baron Evans, IW Local 577

[@ChevySS1968]

Nice vid, thanks! I have to do this soon. I might use Sawzall and long blade; instead of cutoff wheel or torch. Definitely gonna wear lots of eye and face protection, as well as ear plugs and real mechanic gloves!!!

[@ManicMechanic007]

The rust was no match for the home team. Great work Will & Tammy!

[@robinsonsauto]

ManicMechanic007 😎 so it's 1 👉 2✌️ 3 👊strikes the grinder comes out at the old bolt game 😂

[@jimlynch2190]

Good job! I’m from PA too Langhorne.

[@kennethmabus381]

Great video. Thanks for sharing

[@bruceturek3412]

nice job excellent video and ya didnt even say a few choice words. great job well done

[@lustfulvengance]

In the past I've had good luck doing stuck shackle bolts with a ball joint press and an old bolt with the head cut off as a spacer, if you can get the ball joint press in there it puts an incredible amount of force on the bolt and I've never had one that wouldn't come unstuck using the Press!

[@robinsonsauto]

great tip I will give that a try next time. would be a much safer alternative

[@michaelmorris6575]

Great video! Thanks

[@daveschwedt4360]

The 6 incher 🤣 watch out ladies, great video

[@supertruckertroy]

Hey I had same problem was gonna give up and You-Tube just wanted to tell you thanks pretty ingenious so simple Butttttt. Thanks again

[@SteveRobReviews]

The cut off wheel did the trick. Keep havin fun buddy.

[@robinsonsauto]

Worked out great! nice hearing from you stranger :)

[@tomcooper6108]

Great job!!!

[@Cylinder-Pro-aliasWonderdust]

Sawzall with a hack saw blade might be alright to cut the front bolts, with no sparks.

[@joseluna3784]

Good work,perseverance....

[@robinsonsauto]

Jose Luna thank you!!

[@diesel1586]

I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one that goes through this shit

[@MrRoy-rb1je]

Outstanding!

[@mannyvelez4437]

Great video

[@Krillekris]

I really enjoyed the video. Nice of you to torque things down properly :-)

[@robinsonsauto]

Krille's Garage thank you for the feedback 👍

[@JoeVizethum]

good job & video ! Also need to cut the front leaf spring bolts at my Cherokee XJ - as always these are rusted on to the sleeves. I see a high danger factor due to flying sparks to the tank - your thoughts ? Thanks.

[@fire7765]

Great job.

[@spiderdad00]

Great video Will

[@robinsonsauto]

Tim webb thank you

[@63256325N]

Thanks for the video.

[@robinsonsauto]

Duncan MacKenzie any time!!! Thanks for stopping in

[@ketchup9187]

U mounted them on the wrong side of the axle bro!!! Lol great video.

[@scottwells3666]

I am not a machinic but sometimes play one on the weekend I want to ask is there a front and back to these springs or will they go on either direction thanks. Kept watching and found my answer. Thanks

[@chavezcustomdetailing9540]

Dude you need to get a "BIG NASTY" for yourself. Good job as always Will.

[@robinsonsauto]

I agree!!! one day :) its on the list. I do have a larger long nose Mac but space was very limited

[@ralphvalkenhoff2887]

Great having your better half in the mix. Thank you for sharing. Metal blade on the sawzall not a safer, more control alternative?

[@terrellscaife2411]

Nice work

[@throttlebottle5906]

hehe, need to do the same on my 92 van, the springs are more of a "W" arc, a bit worse than those. yes the R&P is howling also, gears worn down, but it keeps going without getting louder so piss on it. one of these days it will get real loud and then I'll change gears, bearings and springs. :;) whoops except almost no rust, Ohio vehicle but parked or in Florida for winters except a few years now!

[@robinsonsauto]

No rust :) thats like a dream come true

[@SouthMainAuto]

Give me 5 min with torch and that whole mess would have been on the ground....🔥🛠🔧👍

[@robinsonsauto]

I can almost smell it 😁👍wish I had acetylene filled.. thanks for stopping by Eric!! It's great hearing from you

[@dogomanmosca7436]

How did it ride did u make a video.? Awesome video of install bud🤜💥🤛

[@wfoholeshot8614]

Nice. I use a wet rag/towel near the area when I make sparks..

[@scuba422123]

the frozen bolts are the whole job...ugggh add on more time! nice job and rock auto has great prices very cool your wife helps out!

[@robinsonsauto]

very true! sometimes one bolt adds more time than the entire job should take! yes we have had good luck with them as well ;) she is always right there with me puts up with a lot to say the least. im lucky to have her

[@scuba422123]

lucky guy you are! shes a keeper!! iam a tech for 30 years and 25 at chevy...now all mods I like your channel real life! dave

[@AP9311]

Hey Will, I have GMC Suburban just like this one. What where we live in Idaho, it wasn't that bad except one bolt was frozen solid, I used the sawzall, used it to cut the bolt off as I was worried about the sparks near the tank. That's how I did that. I upgraded to 2500 springs. I wanted the stiffer springs. But what you did was good idea, never thought about extending to 6 inches!! Wish I saw this one couple months ago lol

[@robinsonsauto]

Josh Benney nice!!!! How did the upgrade turn out? I tried a Sawzall in the past with mixed results on hardened bolts most times I burned through a ton of blades. I'm sure a finer tooth blade would work much better! All I have is bimetal blades. Will give a fine tooth blade a shot next time! Thanks for the feedback

[@AP9311]

robinsonsauto that's what I tried to use, took forever to cut. Burnt thru 2 of them to get thru 1 bolt. The upgrade was great. Gave me nice stiff ride. Like new. I'm happy with the choice I made to upgrade

[@Ezdvd1]

I'm gonna do this on an 01 Silverado and like the sawszall idea. For the drivers side at least. Near the tank. Does cutting that front bolt on the outer side make it short enough to pop through without hitting the tank? If you can get it to move after cutting it.

[@maganaalejandro9]

What socket was used on the u bolts? 19mm??

[@grantjohnson2454]

Where did you buy the bolt that you had to cut to drop the spring?

[@ronbaynes2755]

Thanks Will !

[@robinsonsauto]

your welcome

[@MAGWolf]

Sawzall Reciprocating Saw is your friend. Easier cut only the bolts not everything else with a skinny blade then it is a chunky angle grinder with a cut off wheel. Less sparks too.

[@LetsFixIT]

nice content and a shot out to the helper. oh i keep saying 6 inches.

[@robinsonsauto]

thank you!! yes she did great. hahaha

[@davidjordan780]

well done,

[@seniorjuanvaldez]

I'll upload a video to KZbin on a 2002 Oklahoma truck rear end swap soon....I won't need to worry about getting my tetnus updated either 😉

[@joebagodonutssummertime8267]

How many miles on the springs? And what tell tale signs were that they were bad?

[@coollasice4175]

So Tammy says the 4 1/2 inches isn't enough, huh? *_WELL EXCUUUUUSE ME!_*

[@robinsonsauto]

Hahahaha well you know there is a reason she sticks around lol

[@JeremiahIsreal144k]

What brand an where did you get you leaf springs at

[@richardpaul495]

good helper ,tell my wife

[@CentralCanada]

Thanks for taking the time to produce this vid' I have a '96 GMC Sierra that may need this done in the future... Yowser, no hearing protection ?! :-)

[@charlesstpierre8]

What if there's a bit of space between the new ubolts and the differential on either side, does it have to be the same?

[@charlesstpierre8]

Like the space is at the front on my passenger side and at the back on my diver side. As well Haynes manual says 74 ft. Lbs for torque. I have a 2012 GMC mind you.

[@1951Roy]

Great video, can you show us the stackup on the cutoff wheel in another video.

[@robinsonsauto]

Thank you! yes i can do that

[@ericcorse]

I suspect using a cutoff wheel like that could lead to a bit of a pucker factor. I was wondering why the change till I saw the U bolts, its never a good thing going down the road and your rear axle falls off. I'm liking that big Armstrong breaker bar, I am a fan of Armstrong tools.

[@robinsonsauto]

yes 100% we see how quick it cuts through steal! one slip could be game over to say the least. yup the u bolts needed replacing and she was sagging bad in the rear. tows a camper often. I agree very good breaker bar!! thanks for the feedback

[@DavidSanchez-sf3by]

Do you have a link for those ubolts?

[@javiernava27]

The best way to deal with frozen bolts is shooting them with a Ramset, the gunpowder actuated tool.

[@Raptor-7]

So do leaf springs mke a difference in ride quality or bouncing suspension?

[@bigwahoo8686]

YES. Very heavily.

[@dm7097]

That was kinda concerning seeing how rusted away those shackle bolts were. I'm going out to check my '95 tomorrow!

[@throttlebottle5906]

holy pizz @ those rusted out u bolts! that is some scarry shart there! i can picture in my mind the axle twisting loose and parting away from the vehicle whilst trailer towing on a steep incline. most likely it would happen from a stop though.....

[@robinsonsauto]

Im sure that has happened!!

[@throttlebottle5906]

you know, my '82 went to the scrap yard with silent "factory rear end but it did clunk, had lash and the leaf springs were sagging, but far less tan the 92, both hauled around the same weight trailer and same mileage. so I can only conclude between early 80's to 90's gm went "chinesium/mexican/etc" junk metals... all had regular fluid changes and maint.

[@robinsonsauto]

you may be right with your assumptions. thanks for sharing

[@whatnextsunshine3046]

Heya Robinsauto... how is the summer goin? I am off for a little journey and checking out my YT friends... mostly this looks really like very hard and serious work. Luckily we have some giggles in between ;-)) Cheers and hello to the family! Sunshine

[@robinsonsauto]

What next, sunshine? Hello sunshine 😊 summer is going well, very hot some days in the shop! Its Even hotter now that you stopped by ☀️😉😎 hehe How is your summer going? I mentioned you in my latest video while reading through the comments near the end of the video

[@whatnextsunshine3046]

ohlàlà... ok ;-)) Yes, I will go and check :-)) ;-))

[@DylanRabier]

Nice job 👍 Thx for sharing. Not wearing safety shoes? 😉

[@isaach6695]

Robinsonauto I have a 2000 Chevy blazer 4x4 and i just bought it 143k on it and i went to get an alignment and the mechanic told me that the back end is "dog tailing" being pulled one way basically, and because of that he couldnt get my steering wheel straight otherwise itd pull so its a little off center so it doesnt pull but if im going 70 around a curve with bumps my back end tries to whip it, i can never afford for a mechanic to do my work so i am my mechanic, i just replaced all the shocks, and i replaced the front driver and passenger inner and outer tie rods, control arms, ball joints, pitman and idler arm, and stabilizer end links. So i think i can manage to do this by watching this video, BUT my MAIN question and concern if anyone could help me is that is the leaf springs what i need? Cuz the mechanic said it could be a few things but i dont remember what he said. I remember when i did my shocks i did see one of the leaves were completely out of place and i had to hammer it in straight haha, so thats why i think it is? But i have no idea? And so id need to replace the ubolts and bushings too? Is that all?

[@deborahreimer5870]

What size of leaf spring

[@BigFrogs4x4]

Funny. Must be a GM day. Im working on a stripped wheel stud and an upper ball joint in a chevy 1500 today

[@robinsonsauto]

BigFrogs4x4 fun fun 💪 good luck man

[@BigFrogs4x4]

robinsonsauto THANKS. Its for my father in law so labor is free. But i get to video it lol

[@BigFrogs4x4]

I've have had people want me to do just 1 leaf spring. Im like nope. You do 1 side you do both.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Every day is a GM day...

[@briangoodell5347]

Looked like you tightened the u bolts till they broke not loosened

[@Ivo--]

"Lotta people not used to the six inches". Yeah I get that all the time. 😁

[@robinsonsauto]

Hahaha an old friend of mine used to say "promise her 12 then give it to her twice" all equals out in the end hahaha

[@throttlebottle5906]

best to claim 6" and have more for their surprise ;)

[@tylerdungan9033]

don't suppose you could put a link for all the parts you got? because I have to do the EXACT same thing. nothing more nothing less. even the one broken U bolt man. but I've been having a hell of a time finding those fckn u Bolts

[@damkayaker]

@@tylerdungan9033 - This place is great! Fourth generation family owned business in eastern PA. www.autoandtrucksprings.com/chevy-leaf-spring-upper-and-lower-saddle-u-bolt-kits/

[@shawnmrfixitlee6478]

I hate doing springs They all seem to be frozen stuck ..

[@robinsonsauto]

ShawnMrFixitlee I will second that!!! My feelings as well

[@izzzzzz6]

Safety glasses but no ear protection or mask. Why do people think their lungs are immune to grinder disc dust, metal dust and rust dust?

[@wheeltwavel]

Maybe a recip saw with a metal blade, instead of the finger amputating 6incher?

[@stonemills1546]

Chiltons says 59 or 89 depending on size why you choose 80 ft. Lb tork and the shackles are 70 but the front is 92.

[@angelabender3117]

This video is wonderful one is cause he is very accurate. Number one reason is the wife is helping that is cool as fuck. that rocks im a women who has rebuilt my hole truck a little bit of help is always nice.

[@bodgitandleggitgarage]

1st BOOM

[@ozzstars_cars]

Oh wow, impressive! How do you do it?

[@robinsonsauto]

you got this perfected mate!!!! thanks for stopping by

[@robinsonsauto]

im not sure how he dose it lol

[@bodgitandleggitgarage]

robinsonsauto 🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@Ivo--]

You need Big Nasty!

[@robinsonsauto]

I sure do! its on the wish list. thanks for the recommendation

[@nsmcgirt]

What’s a job like this cost

[@BigFrogs4x4]

I dont understand the thumbs down on a how to video. If they think they can do better video go for it. Please teach us how. Ok enough rantings. Good job.

[@robinsonsauto]

BigFrogs4x4 😂 just can't please them all. I even stopped saying "How to" in most all my videos. And simple show "How I do" And still! thanks for standing up for me! It's reconized and appreciated 👍

[@josholson5015]

Prolly mad about the 6 inch comment lol

[@robinsonsauto]

Josh Olson hahahaha that's a good possibility.

[@leroylira8460]

So basically take it to a shop cuz Norway in hell wr got shit like that at home lmaoo

[@BillysWild]

Wow that whole rear end was rusted to the point of falling out.

[@baymonearl]

Reciprocating saw with metal blade would probably be better than that grinder.

[@just1lifexx11]

Thick. 14:59. Heavy ass hell. Per side

[@brianchandler6127]

Why not use a sawzall to cut the bolts, no sparks = no fire!

[@MaroLuva]

just pull the bed, or remove the bed to frame bolts and lift one side of the bed onto a 4x4. thank me later

[@MikhailSkulls]

Nice a OBS video.

[@davidmullinax5453]

Has anybody else noticed how Tammy doesn't need no bitch mittens

[@throttlebottle5906]

for cutting spring/shackle bolts a sawzall with good carbide tooth or grit blade works, but can be painfully slow depending on how "hard" the material is, yeah it's a pain and rattles your hands to death. an "alternate" to oxy/acet. torch is a decent map gas torch head, suspend it in place and lock on while you watch, it may eventually get enough heat in there to crank apart :)) """BEST EDIT""" FACE SHIELD, not just the small goggles you had on, but BOTH and long welding gloves/apron and gloves. safety third ;) to diffuse grinder sparks, just grab some aluminum roll flashing or galvanized HVAC duct sheeting from home depot/lowes/etc and clamp it in place and of course have a good nose for fuel vapor!!!

[@robinsonsauto]

I agree 100% with the extra safety gear!!!!

[@JamesBond-kb1wl]

I thought this was going to be a video on my flabby but cheeks

[@robinsonsauto]

Haha 😆

[@dexterthompson1809]

your lucky you could swing an hammer. i have no room to swing an hammer on my 92 f150

[@deanhauser6626]

Next time have the lady wear a pair of gloves as you did

[@yngvardharjo3704]

dows

[@scout4locations]

If you want to improve this video, cut out all parts where you are having trouble with your tools and the parts. Like at the start where you cant get the bolt to loosen. All you need to do is to say "you at home may encounter this problem as I did and this is how I solved it". Then use fast forward video showing how you did yours, and then move on. Otherwise, you are just dragging out the video with dead shots of you looking for a BFH or banging on something. Just a little sarcastic but helpful advice

[@BillysWild]

Give your girl some gloves.

[@zukewashere1539]

Take spare out

[@timj559]

Not good-need to spray it down and clean axle-dirty like Arm Pit