Coil Springs - Rear Pair

This procedure replaces both rear coil springs on a 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L V8 engine, requiring safe suspension disassembly and spring compression techniques.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear coil spring × 2 — OEM AC Delco or equivalent heavy-duty coil spring
• Shock absorber lower mounting bolts × 2 — Replace if corroded
• Anti-seize compound × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on flat, level concrete surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle with hydraulic jack at rear differential or frame lift points
5. Support frame rails with jack stands rated for at least 6-ton capacity, positioned forward of rear axle
6. Remove both rear wheels completely
7. Spray all suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow 15-20 minutes to soak
8. Inspect spring compressor tools to ensure threads are clean and components are not damaged

Procedure

1. 1

   Support the rear axle assembly
   Position a transmission jack or heavy-duty adjustable jack stand under the center of the rear differential. Raise jack until it just makes contact and slightly supports the axle weight, but does not lift the vehicle. The axle must remain supported throughout the entire procedure to control its movement when fasteners are removed.
   ⚠️The axle will drop suddenly when shock absorbers are disconnected. Ensure jack is securely positioned and will not slip.
2. 2

   Disconnect rear shock absorbers
   Locate the lower shock absorber mounting bolts on both sides. Using a breaker bar and appropriate socket, remove the lower shock mounting bolts. Carefully guide the shock absorber up and out of the way, securing it with wire or a bungee cord to prevent interference. Do not remove upper shock mounts at this time.
   ⚠Shock absorbers may have residual pressure. Keep face clear when removing mounting hardware.
3. 3

   Lower the rear axle to relieve spring tension
   Very slowly and carefully lower the transmission jack supporting the rear axle. Lower approximately 4-6 inches until the coil springs are no longer under compression load and have visible separation from the upper spring seat. Monitor both sides to ensure axle lowers evenly. If axle binds or tilts, stop and reposition jack.
   ⚠️Lower axle very slowly. Rapid lowering can cause sudden spring release or axle shift, causing injury.
   ⚠Do not lower axle excessively or brake lines and ABS wiring may become damaged. Stop if you feel resistance from any components.
4. 4

   Remove first coil spring
   Working on one side at a time, carefully remove the coil spring from between the upper frame mount and lower axle seat. The spring should lift out freely if axle was lowered sufficiently. If spring is still under tension, lower axle slightly more. Inspect upper and lower spring isolators (rubber pads) and note their orientation for reinstallation.
   ⚠If spring does not remove freely, do NOT force it. Lower axle further to fully relieve tension.
5. 5

   Inspect and clean spring seats
   With spring removed, use a wire brush to clean the upper frame spring seat and lower axle spring seat. Remove all rust, debris, and old rubber material. Inspect for cracks, damage, or excessive corrosion. Check that upper and lower spring isolators are in good condition and replace if torn, compressed, or deteriorated.
6. 6

   Install first new coil spring
   Position the spring isolator pad on the lower axle spring seat if equipped. Align the new coil spring with the bottom coil seated properly in the lower spring seat recess. Ensure the spring end is positioned correctly per any markings or alignment tabs. The top of the spring should align with the upper frame mount but will have a gap until axle is raised.
   ℹ️New springs may have colored paint marks indicating top/bottom orientation. Yellow or other marking typically indicates top.
7. 7

   Remove and replace second coil spring
   Repeat steps 4-6 for the opposite side coil spring. Ensure both springs are properly seated in their lower mounts with isolator pads correctly positioned before proceeding. Verify both springs are identical height and part numbers match.
8. 8

   Raise axle to compress springs
   Very slowly raise the transmission jack to lift the rear axle. As the axle rises, the coil springs will compress between the upper and lower seats. Continue raising until the axle reaches its normal ride height position. Monitor both springs to ensure they seat properly and do not slip out of position during compression.
   ⚠️Raise axle slowly and monitor spring alignment continuously. A spring shifting out of position during compression can violently release.
   ⚠Ensure springs seat fully into upper frame pockets. Misalignment causes noise and premature failure.
9. 9

   Reconnect shock absorbers
   Guide the lower shock absorber mounts back into position on the axle brackets. Install lower shock mounting bolts and tighten finger-tight initially. Verify shocks are not twisted and move freely through their travel range before final torquing.
10. 10

    Install wheels and lower vehicle
    Install both rear wheels and thread lug nuts by hand to ensure proper seating. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern to approximately 50% torque. Carefully raise vehicle slightly with floor jack to remove jack stands. Lower vehicle completely to ground so full vehicle weight rests on wheels.
11. 11

    Torque all fasteners at ride height
    With vehicle weight fully on the ground (at ride height), torque the lower shock absorber mounting bolts to manufacturer specifications. Torque wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to final specification. This ensures suspension components are torqued in their normal operating position, preventing premature bushing wear.
    ⚠Shock absorber bolts and suspension fasteners MUST be torqued at ride height. Torquing with suspension hanging causes binding and premature failure.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. No additional reassembly required beyond procedure steps

Verification

• Bounce each rear corner of the vehicle several times and verify springs do not make noise or shift position
• Verify vehicle sits level side-to-side with equal ride height on both sides
• Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify normal handling with no clunking or rattling sounds
• Re-torque wheel lug nuts after 50-100 miles of driving
• Have alignment checked by professional shop if vehicle pulls to one side or tire wear was uneven before service

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