Question To Those Of You That Have Worked On Leaf Springs

Norseman · August 1, 2009

The GM service manual states that the gas tank needs to be removed to remove the driver side leaf spring in my 1999 Sivlerado Z71. Do I really need to remove the gas tank to replace my spring????

Isn't there enough room to remove the bolt with out effin with the gas tank?

Norseman · August 1, 2009

Common guys no one here has ever removed leaf springs? Really???

Matt_ · August 1, 2009

You have to take the tank off.

Just make sure you don't fill up before doing the work. It's really not all that difficult as long as the tank is empty. You dont even have to remove the lines from it.... support it with a jack and a piece of wood, unbolt the straps and move it over a few inches (filler next may need to be disconnected).

Norseman · August 1, 2009

Common guys no one here has ever removed leaf springs? Really???

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping there was a way around all that. But, that does answer my question.

One more thing for you. The bushings in the leafs are worn out. Would you just replace the bushings in the springs I have now or would you replace the whole thing.

omegafiler · August 1, 2009

Common guys no one here has ever removed leaf springs? Really???

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping there was a way around all that. But, that does answer my question.

One more thing for you. The bushings in the leafs are worn out. Would you just replace the bushings in the springs I have now or would you replace the whole thing.

I agree with Matt. When we replaced the leaf springs in my old truck, we just got the bolts loose enough to push the tank out of the way to get to that one leaf spring bolt. Just make sure that tank is fairly low.

The bushings can be replaced, but they can be a pain to remove and reinstall. That's always cheaper than replacing the springs. It just depends on how many miles you have and how worn out your springs are. I've seen various tools used to get those things out. A hacksaw, drill, torch, hammer, some time of punch tool that can be used to push it out, etc. Either way, it's doable.

The truck we replaced the springs on didn't work out. Couldn't find the right springs for the truck that didn't cost a ridiculous amount of money (ie OEM). It only had about a 100k, so we just replaced shocks, installed new bushings, and threw on some helper springs (activesuspension.com) and it handled better than new.

Norseman · August 1, 2009

Common guys no one here has ever removed leaf springs? Really???

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping there was a way around all that. But, that does answer my question.

One more thing for you. The bushings in the leafs are worn out. Would you just replace the bushings in the springs I have now or would you replace the whole thing.

I agree with Matt. When we replaced the leaf springs in my old truck, we just got the bolts loose enough to push the tank out of the way to get to that one leaf spring bolt. Just make sure that tank is fairly low.

The bushings can be replaced, but they can be a pain to remove and reinstall. That's always cheaper than replacing the springs. It just depends on how many miles you have and how worn out your springs are. I've seen various tools used to get those things out. A hacksaw, drill, torch, hammer, some time of punch tool that can be used to push it out, etc. Either way, it's doable.

The truck we replaced the springs on didn't work out. Couldn't find the right springs for the truck that didn't cost a ridiculous amount of money (ie OEM). It only had about a 100k, so we just replaced shocks, installed new bushings, and threw on some helper springs (activesuspension.com) and it handled better than new.

Thanks for the info. Where did you get the bushings from and would you go with rubber or the poly?