I heard clunks from the rear axle and found the middle leaf on the passenger side broken. I have occasionally overloaded the truck - twenty sheets of drywall, 3/4 yard of gravel etc. I tied up the middle leaf back in place and that eliminated the clunking. I plan on replacing the complete 3 leaf assembly, not just the middle leaf. Having never dealt with leaf springs before, I have lots of questions.
RockAuto has one spring assembly for $246Cdn + $100 shipping. Dayton brand, likely American made
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=2596132&cc=1432405&jsn=523
However Beattie Spring is considerably cheaper, at $85 US. Likely US made, will have to confirm.
https://beattiespring.com/collectio...eaf-spring-3-leaf?variant=12589779615853
The above springs are SRI 22-1221 and are listed for my truck at the two sites but is not the exact one my truck takes. My truck is supposed to have 22-1503 and I can get this one from my GM dealer for $523 Cdn. The differences between the two springs are not much and I can live with the small difference because of the large difference in price.
I can the Dorman version of the exact spring locally, 929-115.It is more expensive at about $400 Cdn. Dorman peddles a lot of Chinese made stuff, so I have ruled Dorman out. As an aside I read scrap yards that buy construction equipment will pay more for Caterpillar equipment because the steel is of high quality.
I have not checked with local spring shops to see what they can supply, I will do so before buying the springs.
Should I order both sides (two sets of springs) now, if I buy from a US supplier, to save on shipping costs? I understand if I replace just one side the rear end will not sit even. Also the middle leaf is a known weak item on GM 1/2 tons, so the driver side middle leaf will likely break some time in the near future if not replaced. I will be replacing the U bolts because I understand they are one time use only. GM wants the U bolts replaced when the springs are replaced.
I checked the fasteners (shackle bolt at the rear, hanger bolt at the front, U bolts at the axle and none are seized - thanks, Krown!), so I am not anticipating any difficulty replacing the spring. Anything to watch out for?
GM SI calls for dropping the fuel tank to replace the driver side spring. Seems to me the only reason is that the hanger bolt at the front of the spring is inserted from the inside and the nut is on the outside, so the fuel tank is in the way of withdrawing the bolt far enough to take the spring end off. I plan on leaving the tank in place and cutting the bolt off and inserting the replacement bolt form the outside, and using red loctite on the nut. Any issue with not doing it GM's way?
I will tighten the spring end bolts with the spring in its normal compressed state.
RockAuto has one spring assembly for $246Cdn + $100 shipping. Dayton brand, likely American made
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=2596132&cc=1432405&jsn=523
However Beattie Spring is considerably cheaper, at $85 US. Likely US made, will have to confirm.
https://beattiespring.com/collectio...eaf-spring-3-leaf?variant=12589779615853
The above springs are SRI 22-1221 and are listed for my truck at the two sites but is not the exact one my truck takes. My truck is supposed to have 22-1503 and I can get this one from my GM dealer for $523 Cdn. The differences between the two springs are not much and I can live with the small difference because of the large difference in price.
I can the Dorman version of the exact spring locally, 929-115.It is more expensive at about $400 Cdn. Dorman peddles a lot of Chinese made stuff, so I have ruled Dorman out. As an aside I read scrap yards that buy construction equipment will pay more for Caterpillar equipment because the steel is of high quality.
I have not checked with local spring shops to see what they can supply, I will do so before buying the springs.
Should I order both sides (two sets of springs) now, if I buy from a US supplier, to save on shipping costs? I understand if I replace just one side the rear end will not sit even. Also the middle leaf is a known weak item on GM 1/2 tons, so the driver side middle leaf will likely break some time in the near future if not replaced. I will be replacing the U bolts because I understand they are one time use only. GM wants the U bolts replaced when the springs are replaced.
I checked the fasteners (shackle bolt at the rear, hanger bolt at the front, U bolts at the axle and none are seized - thanks, Krown!), so I am not anticipating any difficulty replacing the spring. Anything to watch out for?
GM SI calls for dropping the fuel tank to replace the driver side spring. Seems to me the only reason is that the hanger bolt at the front of the spring is inserted from the inside and the nut is on the outside, so the fuel tank is in the way of withdrawing the bolt far enough to take the spring end off. I plan on leaving the tank in place and cutting the bolt off and inserting the replacement bolt form the outside, and using red loctite on the nut. Any issue with not doing it GM's way?
I will tighten the spring end bolts with the spring in its normal compressed state.
