Replacing my rear shackle literally changed me forever - Chevy truck restoration, part 4

Finally, it's time to get back to the backlog of work on my 2002 Chevy Silverado project truck! There's lots to do, but I think if I buckle down and...
Wait a minute. What's this?
The bumper is no longer even with the ground. And there's a big dent in the back of the truck bed. The culprit: My driver's side leaf spring shackle has snapped, leaving the truck stranded in the driveway. Back underneath the truck I go...
Learn more at / replacing-the-rear-sha... .
I hope you liked this video! If you want to see more, then please consider subscribing. And if you have any thoughts or questions, please share them in the comments below. I try to respond to anyone who stops by.
Thanks for watching!
=============== MUSIC ===============
"Misanthropes (Instrumental)," "Power is Power (Instrumental)," "Broke (Instrumental)," "Null and Void (Instrumental)," "When You Wake Up (Instrumental)," all by the awesome @Fear of Water. Go subscribe if you like his stuff! / fearofwater
=========== OTHER VIDEOS ===========
Thanks to everyone who posted about this type of project before me! Here is as complete of a list I can come up with right now of the videos I found useful during this months-long task:
‪@GeoffreyCroker‬'s "Land Rover Restoration Part 15 - Chassis Repairs 3/4 - Bushing & Relay Removal" has lots of tips and tricks for removal on an admittedly completely different vehicle: • Land Rover Restoration...
‪@appalachiandiy2415‬'s "Leaf Spring Shackle replacement" has some good tips and tricks: • Leaf Spring Shackle Re...
‪@TheDaninator‬'s "Broken Rear Leaf Spring Shackle - Fixed - Silverado Sierra Yukon Tahoe Suburban" faced a similar situation with the leaf spring coming up through the truck bed: • Broken Rear Leaf Sprin...
@Gillian's Garage's "Rear leaf spring shackle bolt removal": • Rear leaf spring shack...
‪@bleepinjeep‬'s "Removing a Stubborn Shackle Bolt": • Removing a Stubborn Sh...
‪@fintechrepairshop‬'s "Quick leaf spring & shackle bushing removal without torch or heat": • Quick leaf spring & sh...
‪@bridchvtruck568‬'s "2002 1500HD rear shackles & front wheel bearing": • 2002 1500HD rear shack...
‪@1018Video‬'s "How To Install Drop Shackles On 99-05 GMC/Chevrolet Truck": • How To Install Drop Sh...
‪@SouthMainAuto‬'s "Installing Dorman Spring Shackles & Hangers On A Chevy/GMC Truck": • Installing Dorman Spri...
‪@troutjunkie7330‬'s epic shackle adventure starts here: • Silverado Spring Shack...
‪@Offroadfarm1‬'s "DIY SHACKLE FLIP LIFT": • DIY SHACKLE FLIP LIFT
=============== ART ===============
"Uncorking old sherry," "Advantages of wearing muslin dresses!", James Gillray; "The Blue Devils," G. Cruikshank. All via the Library of Congress. More at www.loc.gov/collections/.
=============== TOOLS ===============
**Heads up that I might get a commission from Amazon for any purchases from these links, but I'm sharing them because they're more useful for you than beneficial for me.**
Short barrel air hammer: This was a life saver: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
High-flow swivel fitting: Another life saver: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
=============== SOCIAL ===============
Twitter: / andrewreuter
Instagram: / reuter_andrew
Facebook: / projectlab.how
Patreon: / andrewreuter

[@lhongkho1091]

Enjoyable video of fixing car. Not quite a car person myself but I really like this video. Thanks Andrew.

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you very much! Glad to hear that! To think out loud a bit, I know the truck videos aren't the most popular on this channel, but "vehicle conservation" is super intriguing to me. The conventional wisdom seems to be "Oh, that vehicle is not worth fixing, you'd be better off buying a new one." Well, is that... true? I mean... Am I really going to have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to fix this thing up? Seems unlikely, especially with cost savings on labor by doing it myself. But I guess we'll see! In the meantime, it's fun trying to improve my videography and editing along the way with this stuff, which hopefully helps make these more interesting for folks who might not normally be into wrenching. So, again thanks for the feedback. Take care!

[@DontjeB]

Too late to save you from this misery, but maybe this comment will help someone else out. I just replaced both shackles, hangers, and leaf spring rear bushings today on my 2005 Silverado (221k miles). All four shackle bolts were seized. Everyone attempting this repair should heed this advice: take the bed off! It's only 6 (crew cab) or 8 bolts and a couple electrical plugs for the taillights. Grab a few buddies and hoist that thing out of the way. Having access from the top, and room to work, makes all the difference in the world! I didn't have an air hammer/chisel, but still got the entire job done in a single day. The only power tools I used were a sawzall to cut the leaf spring bushing outer sleeve, a drill to get out the bushing rubber/inner sleeve, and a 4.5" cutoff wheel to remove everything that was getting replaced anyway. Some well placed prybar work, and of course a BFH to motivate things helped.

[@briangray5921]

alternatively you can take off the rear bumper and it gives you all kinds of access.

[@inplfw]

Scrolled down to make a similar comment. Removing the bed is so easy and it makes a lot of places much more accessible.

[@holly-jothompson3717]

maybe needing to replace entire rear frame piece(rails sub brace shocks, leafs, shackles shackle mounts. bed brackets(?). along with entire rear suspension and also entire rear bumper and maybe hitch too hitch. i dont have 6 to 8 friends so would an engine crane(2000lb + lifting cap) with 10ft orlonger legs and lifting arm with the correct rigging/lifting slings or etc. used. i figure as long as its rigged correctly and within weight specs it dhould work. correct.

[@lilbit4165]

I know from personal experience..this is NOT fun, however I laughed my butt off! You truly capture the essence of owning and repairing your own truck! And being BRANDED ..harlarious..as if the truck now OWNS YOU! I'm in stitches! I own too many of these old girls and loved this...THANK YOU! informative for most..entertaining for all!

[@terryhites1]

I cannot thank you enough for leaving ALL the frustrated parts in the video, that way I don't feel like an idiot when I can't get the job done in 5 minutes like a video shows someone else did it

[@AndrewReuter]

Ha, good to hear! I’m the same way…

[@SouthMainAuto]

Easy peasy! Couple pliers, small hammer, and boom! Haha good job man!

[@AndrewReuter]

Bahahaha, yup, no doubt! Thank you! And thanks for your work!

[@ernieduncan602]

@@AndrewReuter Now thats some funny stuff, Thank you for showing the much more realistic, and likely sequence of events that the average person looking up a youtube video as to how to change leaf spring on their truck... that average person comment was a direct reference to myself, which luckily I have learned from my previous efforts to work on my vehicles via internet instructions (Thank you South Main for your assistance with those previous efforts) That I should not jump into a project until I have a full understanding of what the process will require, since none of the videos really discuss things like where to find replacement Eye bolts for the ones you are going to completely mangle removing, or what sizes those may be, or that the new 5 inch 5/8th" and 9/16th" grade 8 bolts cost nearly 6 bucks EACH and then you still have to buy nuts and washers all total making the bolts the most expensive parts in a leaf spring bushing replacement job in my 97 f250HD..

[@asmithh2697]

Love watching people work hard and harder! 4 Rivets on each rear Shackle bucket removed each side and real easy shackle, Bucket and spring sleeve replacement plus 8 each bolts, washers and nuts!

[@brownydwbrown7485]

I Love that your little helper has safety glasses on.👌👍 Great video as well.

[@terrancelopez9631]

I love your channel, but I absolutely LOVE this video in particular; you've captured so-well, what i'm unable to put into words; the TRUE experience, of DIY vehicle repair. I Have a 96 F150 4.9L that I've been daily-driving, and bit-by-bit replacing every single part, for the last 10 years. Thanks again! I appreciate the work you do!

[@AndrewReuter]

This is awesome to hear! Pretty much nailed why I try to go for in this videos with keeping so much detail in for the “experience” of working on something like this. Cool to hear about your F-150; and now you’ve got an awesome looking retro truck out of the deal, too! You’re welcome, and thank you for the kind words!

[@stevenlaupert3089]

Little guy is a serious fantastic helper! That’s too cool 😎

[@RobertSmith-fw5iy]

I love how u involve your son, your a good dad .and thanks for all the good news about changing my shackles , I can hardly wait.

[@Bigslimeguy]

Just replaced my leaf spring brackets two days ago. My truck had 90k miles and had more rust than oxidization on the statue of liberty. Had to replace both brackets, shackles, and frame braces. Bushings were fine. So heres a tip if you want an "easy" job. Get all new everything including leaf springs, and make sure to get the rear "brace" that can get rotted out too. Alls i can say is, dont buy vehicles off of sketchy car lots and wash your cars often during salty winters.

[@barryweinrich7289]

My 2000 Ford E 250 shackle broke this past week . I tried to muscle the bolts out (He,He). Watched another You Tube video . I PB Blasted the bushing over night . Next day removed the nut, cut off the bolt heads(Saws all and a few blades later) Off they came . PB Blasted again ,let sit for an hour. Stacked up 1/2 inch washers on the thread , cranked down on the nut and repeated 3 time . I drew the nut through the bushing sleeve. Rubber on the bushing was still viable . Re assembled , Road checked and off I went

[@andrewvisiko5250]

Thanks for the video. I have a few comments I might add after doing this job. Anyone attempting this job, I would highly advise just removing the leaf springs. I know this job is increasingly more difficult for rust belt trucks such as this one. I get the hesitation with opening up a can of worms. With that being said, there is no need to drop the gas tank to remove the front bolt on the leaf spring. A good sawzall with a good blade can cut the bolt fast. Just get a replacement bolt, and install it with the nut facing the inside. Removing the leaf springs makes this job so much easier. I contemplated doing this job the same way so I get why.

[@AndrewReuter]

Super reasonable take here, thanks for sharing! I believe I have seen other people take that bolt flipping approach too but just hadn’t researched it enough to know whether it was safe. Good to know it has worked for you!

[@raenterprises5590]

I have to do this to a 1985 Chevy G30 1 Ton Van!!! The Fuel tank is in the BACK!!! which makes the JOB even MORE TEDIOUS!!!!!

[@AndrewReuter]

Oh man! Good luck to you!

[@christopherhill7335]

Andrew - Admire the persistence. No way were you ever going to give up on this. The best part is the fire and a blow-by-blow of the progress and challenges that ensued. Laughed to freakin TEARS!!! The commentary and editing makes this the absolute best video of the hundreds I've seen on YT. Shared it with family and friends. This site is a treasure. Couldn't subscribe fast enough.

[@AndrewReuter]

😊😊😊 Thank you very much Christoper! Glad to hear it!

[@JosephMcPhail]

I love that your son helps you. I wish my kids showed more interest in my shop projects.

[@AndrewReuter]

:) I wish you luck in pulling them into the fold!

[@rayclark9643]

I felt your pain watching this video. Years back I changed out both leaf springs on the rear of my rusty as hell 84 Chevy pickup....didn't have anything to work with except my wheel of death & a small torch with map gas for heat. It was summer and I got the job done outside on the ground...so a job like that is doable without a compressor and impact tools, but I was much younger and foolish at the time🤣!!!

[@AndrewReuter]

Holy smokes! You were doing it on hard mode, no doubt. Kudos!

[@terryhites1]

I loved seeing your son work with you, my son used to do the same with me and I did the same with my dad... oh the memories that are made. Good and not so good... lol

[@genisys0069]

Way to prevail Andrew. Glad you made it out alive, getting burned on the back of the arm can set some people off, and things fly or new dents are made, but you kept your cool. Salute you my friend.

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you very much! It was harrowing for a bit there, no doubt! 😆 Salute to you too!

[@caddyguy5369]

A tip that helped me I got from a channel that does suspension for a living. Break the nut loose. Get it spinning good. Slightly snug it. Cut the bolt off. Back the nut half way off the end. Now the air chisel has a pocket to sit in so it won't bounce around. Now heat soak the bolt in cycles. Until it breaks loose. Knock it back and forth until the rust breaks up and it moves loosely back and forth. Now cut the bolt head off and push it out towards the outside of the truck. The cutting is quicker with a torch IMO.

[@AndrewReuter]

Good tips!

[@timdoyle3028]

Just went through this myself, both rear shackles were snapped in half and my truck was a lowrider. Cannot stress enough that taking the bed off was the game changer here. Takes a few minutes to get the bolts out, disconnect the taillights and (ideally with a bit of help that I didn't have) lift the bed straight up and then back so its resting on the tires and rear bumper, which puts the wheel wells right where the shackles are and you've got all the room in the world to work. All of my bolts were rusted to the inner sleeves on the old shackles, using a bearing press like in your video I pressed the bolts in the leaf springs out and I simply cut the lower part of the shackle on both ends and through the bolt. After that it was a matter of reassembly. First side took me forever to figure out the process, second side took maybe an hour total. No air compressor, no heat...just an angle grinder, sawzall, c-clamp style bearing press and my cordless impact gun...and of course the various sockets, wrenches, etc needed. TAKE THE BED OFF!!!

[@ASEWorldClassTech]

It can be simple depending on where you live... In the north east in Maine I get a shackle, torch, new bolts and a new bushing for the leaf. Removing the leaf from the Drivers side is actually pretty easy if you get another bolt ahead of time. Sawsall the head off the front eye bolt and pull it out with the gas tank unmoved. Then just put the bolt in backwards.

[@jimbo1326]

I have a 1999 Chevy Silverado 1500. I had to replace the shackles and leaf springs on both sides last summer, and I am not a mechanic. Automotively speaking it was the hardest thing I have ever done. And watching this video, I tried EVERYTHING you did!! I was really laughing when you cut the head off the lower bolt and then tried to force it out with the air chisel. I did the EXACT same thing. I took my bed completely off though. You're a glutton for punishment going after it like you did with the bed still on!!

[@AndrewReuter]

🤣 Good to hear I wasn’t the only one. And that you got to avoid the misery of working inside the fender! Bed off is the way to go!

[@Mikekiehl1979]

Lmao it's like I was watching my self this week working on my explorer putting my shackle lift on my bolt were so stuck 😢

[@AndrewReuter]

🤣 Sorry to hear! Hope you have recovered from the experience!

[@Mikekiehl1979]

Lol

[@Mr572u]

Simcoe’s video was a half hour long for one side, and he didn’t replace the spring bushing! You did good!

[@AndrewReuter]

😆 Thank you! Yeah Scott has a system down, no doubt. So when it takes him more than a couple minutes, it must be tough...

[@mammatus77]

"Easier to buy a new wheel than to buy a new us." Love it.

[@jebowlin3879]

if that adorable little man remembers last year with the bit brace, that means he had a lot of fun, memories are stronger when tied to emotions, also, well done on the truck :D

[@AndrewReuter]

Good point! I know the shop time with him is a blast for me at least... Thank you!

[@collinaire]

Watching another video of how "easy" it was drove me nuts. It's good to see your struggle (which i'm enjoying right now) and triumph.

[@AndrewReuter]

😁 Thank you! Glad to squeeze some value out of all that misery! 😆

[@JohnArmstrongPhotography]

That rust is insane. My ride is almost 30 years old and the undercarriage looks new in comparison. It’s a pity in this day and age they haven’t thought of a affordable product to throw on the roads in snow or ice conditions that doesn’t damage vehicles. Or maybe it’s a way to keep a good turn over of cars and the motor industry doing well through regular sales. Luckily in South Africa we don’t have those weather conditions. Thanks for the video.

[@haydencarlson2861]

Its not the manufacturers its the weather conditions and how they salt the roads all depends on how well the owner takes care of it

[@nitramh24]

So glad to see that other people are struggling with this as well😂Great video mate, God bless!

[@vonfelam]

Keep up the quality videos. Me and the kids love watching them.

[@davidmontez7435]

I Felt that, 'WHY DID I DO THIS TO MYSELF?' 😂

[@stevebreland389]

The sound work around was well done. I wouldn’t have noticed without you telling on yourself. And, congratulations!

[@AndrewReuter]

😁 Thank you!

[@RomainSch999]

I really enjoyed watching your video. At first I did I search on KZbin to gather information in order to replace the leaf shackles on my 97 Tahoe and then found your video and watched it entirely. Beside the mechanical aspect, you did a great job on the video editing ;)

[@TBBuilds]

Awesome video, I loved how you also threw in clips of the video editing process… absolutely loved it. And no, I couldn’t tell that you added back in sound. I had to go back and watch it again! So cool

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you very much! And nice channel. Subscribed!

[@tomskid27]

Your struggle and misery makes this video hilariously enjoyable! 😂 I’m subscribing because of it all! 😂

[@AndrewReuter]

🤣 Thank you, glad to hear it!

[@timeless6964]

I Feel for You!!.....Watching, Changed My Life!!....I Just Put the Bed On, Yesterday....Now it should come off Easily??....Sometimes, It Pays to Have a Professional Do it???

[@samsonbreed6049]

Great video pal 😎👍 that boy is Lucky to have a father like you, who's teaching him all the little nick nacks in automotive repair safety... I'm on the same journey with my Silverado... just tackling 1 repair at a time 😮‍💨 but I know once it is all completed...I will be much happier and satisfied than some dude purchasing a brand New Silverado from the dealership.

[@8luggarage]

Baptizing your vehicles in fluid film %1000 prevents all this. Stuff is magic

[@user-jl5pm9jw8e]

good vid, good dad showing the ropes! bonus points for Packers shirt kiddo!

[@AndrewReuter]

Go Pack go! Thank you!

[@soapyork9356]

watching this makes me so happy I live in Idaho where we don't salt our roads

[@AndrewReuter]

I am jealous!

[@troutjunkie7330]

Funny stuff. The joy of working on old Silverados. At least I had the bed off.

[@AndrewReuter]

Thanks! Yup! I sure was envious of your bed-off setup as I was twisting myself into that wheel well... Definitely the way to do it.

[@donaldross1077]

Okay GM retired tech, do you have drill bits, replace the frame bracket and install with bolts. That was a ton of rust you were dealing with. Sure it takes some time to drill out, it is quicker than the alternative. Yes parts are available.

[@AndrewReuter]

Yup it is rust city down there. I don't doubt that drilling out the brackets would be faster!

[@tiborklein5349]

I got all giddy when I saw this video in my sub feed... Keep up the great work!

[@AndrewReuter]

😁 Awesome to hear, thank you!

[@michaellathim791]

Looks like the boy loves to help ........if i tried that job, i would be aching for a few days.. .great video.....i am having mine done for a couple hundred dollars

[@1018Video]

Thanks for the mention in the description. Glad you found my video useful!

[@D1G1TALSYNAPS3]

Dude! I missed you. I hope you’re doing well. Thank you for being such a huge inspiration to me in woodworking.

[@GettinJunkDone]

Andrew! I have a similar brand on my right arm from using a torch to heat up a stuck bolt. Imagine if I did this everyday as a living instead of just a hobby. In the end, excellent work, and excellent video. Keep 'em coming.

[@williskirby9881]

Great father/son time.

[@bosco3892]

I just did this job yesterday.... Also a Wisconsin truck so rusty as hell. To get the bottom bolt out I just cut it at both ends of the bushing using a Sawzall with a Diablo metal cutting blade. Worked slick. Top bolt I Sawzalled the head off. Then put the nut back on the other side with a big washer against the bushing and kept tightening the nut with a breaker bar, which slowly pulled the bolt out of the bushing. Had to keep adding spacers between the nut and the bushing as the bolt slowly pulled out of the bushing. Took a little muscle and about a half hour but it finally pulled out.

[@AndrewReuter]

Good tips here. Glad you had better luck than me with that Diablo Sawzall blade!

[@MORIN1964J]

You're a better man than me...I think I'll go to my suspension guy. Great character and determination.

[@CJAWillysofPuebloWestCO]

Hilarious. I know the feeling. Great video!!

[@johnstancato8785]

I feel your pain buddy I know exactly what that feels like I'm glad you got it handled God bless

[@Offroadfarm1]

Thanks for linking my video. Looks like you had fun.

[@AndrewReuter]

You bet! Thank you! Good times!!!

[@Mr572u]

You’ve got a fine boy! Most could care less about fixing things! Too busy on their phones….

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you! Definitely a great kid!

[@TheDaninator]

Twisting the head of the bolt off: “Task failed successfully” 😂👍

[@AndrewReuter]

🤣 Exactly!!!

[@mrpresident7832]

I figure it will only take about 45 minutes, start to finish. A bonus is that I live in Wisconsin, that means I won’t be battling the rust. Ha.. ha.. ha.. Really though, thanks for taking the time to put this together. It’s probably the best video I’ve seen.

[@mrpresident7832]

Oh yeah.. I’m gonna get a tetanus booster first. Even with safety glasses, my eyeballs are basically rust magnets.

[@RICHIE_RICH89]

I use a new bolt and washers the just fit thru the leaf spring hole. And one big washer on one end then i tighten and press the bushing out 😊

[@AndrewReuter]

Good to know, thank you!

[@DannyHanny_]

Enjoyable video. Thank you.

[@killemallGAMIN]

Just went threw this over the weekend while swapping a bed lol

[@joecurmaci5880]

You had a good helper

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Ain't nothing like rust to make you wonder if you are equal to the task. Kudos for the job well done.

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you, well said!

[@roberthorvath1563]

Great video man! The smile on your face at the end; I knew exactly how that felt. When it comes to your side view mirror, I thought I had the same issue. Until I got it to work momentarily. Try just taking it apart and cleaning the contacts on the circuit board

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you for this as well! Good to know about the side view mirror. Will check out the contacts!

[@robertoalvarez5714]

Thank God for your video I have to do everything you did in the video the damn shackle snapped mid drive going over 40

[@mveno123]

Dude, I feel your pain. Just finished one leaf spring shackle bracket, shackle and bushings.

[@albertovicente3191]

🤣🤣 I love the spoiler alert hahaha, good stuff buddy keep up the good work

[@smahaney5958]

Hey, that's persistence! Glad you were able to get it all done, including the video editing, Nope, couldn't tell the fake sound. An older vehicle is a great test project and you are acquiring skills that apply to more than just vehicle repair, so well worth the time (and you can work on rusty Honda Civics). Wonderful to see your apprentice is taking it all in. BTY, nice tat.

[@AndrewReuter]

Well said! Thank you! And cheers to the apprentice!

[@garyw8481]

REALLY great video Andrew! Led me to a solution to my prob;em. Thanks!

[@AndrewReuter]

Glad to hear this! You bet thank you!

[@appalachiandiy2415]

Thanks for linking my video, it seems like you had as much trouble as I had with my bushings. Great video! keep up the good work

[@AndrewReuter]

You bet, thanks for sharing your work! It was a big help. Yeah, the bushings were killer... but pretty awesome to watch them slide out the back after hours of messing around. And likewise, you have a great channel, best of luck!

[@appalachiandiy2415]

@@AndrewReuter Thanks!

[@bris9984]

Makes me wanna just cut everything with the torch and buy new leafsprings and shackles lol

[@AndrewReuter]

Don't blame you! Not a bad approach if you can do it safely (and need new leaf springs... surprisingly expensive...)

[@marshallbrowne5371]

Wow......glad I have my bed off for other reasons but I will defiantly do this while it is off.

[@AndrewReuter]

Good call! Doing your gas tank/line parts and brake lines too?

[@garageshopminnesota]

Great video as always. Hopefully the next truck videos comes out soon.

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you Jeremy! From a “I really need this done perspective,” the truck should come next... but I still gotta get to the mill... 😬😆 So it might be a bit for the next truck update. But hopefully soon! I just want to get the thing back on the road again! Take care!

[@bigshooter5912]

Great vid man! As a fellow cheesehead, I’ll agree with you and let a trusted local shop take care of this one! 😅

[@lindapoworski2597]

I really enjoyed you video. Im just about to do the van. The shackle broke off and right through the inside!! You were very entertaining as well as helpful. I always expect the worse. I am doing this outside in Manitoba, Canada. Its only -26 with the wind today. Argh

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you! And stay safe in that cold weather, holy cow! I just wanted to catch you before you head out, be sure to watch Simcoe Spring Service’s videos on this. He really has this down to a science. His stuff would have reduced my misery by about 10,000 percent! Good luck!

[@roadking01234]

Awesome video presentation......Nice family......Cheers.

[@steveo1574]

Dude... I never thought about the wheel under the car/truck.. I'll be stealing that from you to teach my kids as well. Thank you

[@AndrewReuter]

You bet! Have fun with the family wrenching!

[@bobby9623]

Just did this job in the driveway. Oh my goodness!!!!!!

[@AndrewReuter]

My condolences!!!

[@mixmasterwillyd9959]

I've never LOLed at a video intro before.

[@donniecosby2559]

I'm about to pray to the good Lord really hard and get started on this thanks for the video

[@AndrewReuter]

Ha! God help you! Good luck!

[@Fossillarson]

I had mine off 7yr ago but felt like 3weeks. I go to change mine bc bushings gone 😂 2 days later and torch and 50k press 😅 I got them replaced. Remember copper or aluminum nickel anti sease lol 😅

[@AndrewReuter]

Ha, yup! Same here on the passage of time. And good call on the rust prevention!

[@scottvanessendelft408]

I have the same truck, it was my Dad's. I am too sentimental to get rid of it. Almost has as much rust as yours does! Nice job on the spring shackles and bushings, I will ne doing this soon as well, Forward bushings also.

[@dustin3876]

Did I just see you use a nail file? Hahaha I know the frustration. I almost tried using a popsicle stick because,. Why not? Tried everything else

[@douglasthompson2740]

Take the bed off for suspension work. Cut the hangers. Drill the rubber around the bushings to relieve the rubber's grip. Then air hammer it out. Always better when you can see and get at what you are working on without having to lay under it. Especially when it is old and crusty. Pulling the bed is quick and easy compared to working around it. Also makes moving the tank for access to the bolts or rivets on the back of the frame rail much easier. It doesn't have to come out all the way just block it up and slide it out enough to work.

[@JOEZEP54]

I though I already left a comment here??? "" Just pop out a few bolts, add the shackle "" LOL 😂😂 Yep that's what they make it look like. Maybe if the truck is 5 years old or less. I have the same repair waiting for me on my 2000 Blazer. This Blazer was always in NY, so you know the rust I am dealing with. Good video and your helper is a plus. Teach them while they are still interested. 👍 #46 Stay safe, Joe Z

[@GnarlyBlade]

I just want to make sure I understand the suspension correctly. Lifting up the frame "drops" the shackle, relieving load on the bottom bolt. Lifting up the rear axle pushes the leaf spring up to get the top bolt off? Thanks

[@AndrewReuter]

Yup! Kind of a brain teaser…

[@robserrano73]

I remember replacing my chackle and bushing going through the same issues 2 years ago. Guess what now I have to do the other side. This time my bed is off hope it's easier but u doubt it

[@AndrewReuter]

Best of luck to you! Definitely check out Simecoe Spring Service’s Silverado shackle videos if you haven’t done so already. Really would have helped me out!

[@islandguy9380]

I just had my right rear shackle replaced at the spring shop. $185.00 with parts, labor and taxes. Pretty good deal in Canada !!

[@simcoespring]

Hey Andrew Reuter just saw this video right after I posted one about removing a shackle on the exact same vehicle. Check it out for some tips. And you are correct...it is exceptionally difficult to do shackles when the bolts are seized in like that. Probably one of the hardest jobs we do in our shop. The struggle is real.

[@AndrewReuter]

Those tricks were amazing! Wish I would have seen this beforehand, especially keeping the nut on to give some air hammering space on those bolts. Next time! I will be sharing this video! Thank you!

[@michaellafreniere6905]

Very useful info, I pulled the bed off mine to make it easier. Going to por 15 the frame while its off.

[@harleythrelkeld7587]

about to do this to my 2005, have done shackles on other trucks but still was cusious of any tips on this truck, im gonna say boy am i glad my bed was destined for the scrap yard cause its gonna save a lot of headache i think

[@curtismoss451]

I went through a lot of the same fight with the upper control arms when we did my front suspension on this truck.

[@mattyboyz16]

yup did one of these once last year then about a year later the second one snapped, did it again and raising the box up is much easier especially if you have hydraulic rams you can press all those bushings out or back in while working in position and use heat to looses it all up aswel

[@MattJonesYT]

With rubber bushings that have seized the through bolts, it's much easier to use a short stroke sawzall to cut the bolt in between at the gap. Cutting it out with an angle grinder is not ideal since it is close quarters and can get bound up and pull the grinder into the vehicle and take your hands with it. The thick metal diablo sawzall blades are the best for cutting metal like that. Worx makes a sawzall that folds in half and can get into tight spaces and its stroke is short enough that you can control the cut without it wiggling everywhere.

[@AndrewReuter]

Good to know! Thanks!

[@kenc.9067]

Diablo blades are great. S regular sawzall blade won't cut through hardened suspension bolts, I've found

[@lhongkho1091]

Looking forward to transmission fluid leakage fix video.

[@AndrewReuter]

Sounds good! The Polar Vortex was keeping me out of the garage, but it's starting to warm up, so hopefully I'll be able to get out there soon...

[@jlucier59]

U got some broken leaf springs there buddy lol

[@AndrewReuter]

Just to confirm… did you see broken ones on video or are you assuming that based on how the truck is sitting? Some extra leaves were installed previously, not sure if that’s taken into account here…

[@jlucier59]

@@AndrewReuter can see it in the video leaf in the pack is broken

[@jaycobwayne9815]

How did you lower the spring too get the shackles too connect back too the bearing

[@bobgrimes5133]

just did this repair on my everyday driver, it was not fun, wish I would've watched this video first and just took it to the shop.

[@macleanman]

I ended cutting a hole on the truck bed for access to those bolts… mine had both up against the metal of the truck bed so I had to repair it anyway.

[@joecurmaci5880]

That is a tough job for a backyard I thought should I take it to long life spring or attempted myself what a feeling of victory I'm a long hard struggle oh my God LOL

[@higbeedoug]

Gotcha. Never leave a child in a running vehicle. Having been left in a running vehicle and gotten into what nobody expected, I am quite the authority on this.

[@stanherman5604]

sawsall the bolt off inside the bracket, then jack the box up until the sprint is below the frame.