Leaf Spring Question

j-ktm · September 12, 2004

I just wanted to ask a question about the leaf springs on my 2000 gmc dually. I bought this truck about a week ago and I have a rattle coming from the rear left side. I have determined it to be coming from the spring on the very top of the stack. It is a spring on it's own that sits on top and it looks like each end hits these rubber stops that are attached to the frame? Are these a factory item for a 2000?? I know have seen them on the newer body style. On my truck they look they were added on later. If they are factory does that mean my springs are already worn out because they hit so easily? The truck has 41000 km on it, but who knows what it was treated like before?? How do I determine if these things are factory or if my springs are worn out??

Thanks

Jason

Silverado4x4 · September 12, 2004

Got me thinking on this one, what I would do is ride down to a chevy dealer and ask a service tech to come out and look at them they should be able to tell you if there factory.

j-ktm · September 13, 2004

Ok since the first post I have seen a few other trucks like mine and they do have the same set-up. A friend of mine thinks I may just need new rear shocks? Because then it wouldn't be so 'bouncy' and the springs wouldn't hit the rubber stops as as much. I wouldn't be suprised if it did need new shocks because it looks like there was an air bag set-up on it from the previous owner. That same friend thinks the ride is a little soft for a one ton, so it would make sense, for the price of a set of rear shocks maybe that's worth a try?? Does this sound right?

Thanks

Jason

JimWilson · September 19, 2004

That additional leaf spring might be the overload spring, and if so it should be their (with some type of insulator so that when it does contact the rest of the spring pack it shouldn't make any noise).

What makes you think there was air-bags before? Do you see some type of mounting for them? If so, that might be why it seems to ride a bit softer then a "regular" 1 ton; some people remove the a spring or two when they install air-bags. That might explain some of what you're seeing too.

Shocks, good ones anyway, will always make a truck ride better, but I don't know if that's your problem (especially the noise).

dannyukonxl · September 19, 2004

like jim said those are the over load springs, stage 2 springs.... stage 1 is usually on the bottom of the leafs then the last stage is used when those hit the bumpers when you have to haul 3500 pounds, im not sure about the 2000's but i think there should be 6 springs total, 4 normal springs 1 stage 1 and 1 stage 2, most likely the rattling is being caused by the stage 2 spring which sticks up and is emitting vibes from the 4 wheels along that axle, it could also be a loose u bolt on the axle. but if you say it hits the rubber stops with no load then maybe the blocks were taken out or something, the best solution would be at the stealership

j-ktm · September 20, 2004

I am pretty sure there were air bags because there are some holes and the outlines of some brackets on the side of the frame above the springs on both sides of the truck. It was used for hauling a camper because it has the belly bar on it, now that I have seen these posts I think it is the overload spring that hits the bump stop. (I wasn't sure what to call it) For some reason the one on the left side makes the noise only and not all the time. I will check to see if there are missing springs or some loose bolts, something like that. I didn't know that you had to remove springs to install airbags. If all else fails I did get it from a dealer and I have a three month warranty so I can always go that route, I just wanted to get some more information before I went in there. Thanks for the advice, I will let you know what I come up with.

Jason