Replacing parts is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it ensures the vehicle has what it needs to carry on, but on the other hand, finding the right parts can be tedious and confusing. Thankfully, the day and age of YouTube is upon us, and companies like GSP have easy-to-follow videos that give us clear and concise directions.
We wanted to share a recent playlist that GSP produced involving several parts of a Chevrolet Silverado. These include hub assemblies, motor mounts, loaded struts, CV axles, and intermediate shafts.
All five videos touch on important aspects of the truck. Through them, the viewer learns what to look for in their aging vehicle, and how GSP’s parts fit the bill.
Hub Assemblies
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJsH3fUQ_wc
Hub assemblies refer to the hubs found on the front axle of a vehicle. In the video, you can watch our technician disassemble the front driver’s side wheel and replace it with a new hub assembly.
The vehicle he’s working on is a 2008 Chevy Silverado two-wheel-drive. At 12 years of age, the hub assemblies were starting to make noise during turns, which is one of the telltale signs of a worn-out hub assembly. Other signs include vibrations in the steering wheel, and rumbling or humming while driving straight.
GSP’s replacement hub assemblies were perfect for this truck. Using the same design and ABS sensors, it was an easy swap onto the vehicle. All it took was removing the wheel and disc brake assembly to get access to the old hub, held in with three bolts. We used an impact gun to remove the old hub, and then applied anti-seize compound to the new hub before installing it onto the spindle. With that done, we now had new hub assemblies and bearings to keep the truck rolling strong.
Motor Mounts
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCb7ojldIco
Other wear items we found on the Silverado were the motor mounts. As the name implies, these are the steel brackets that hold the motor to the frame and dampen vibrations from the engine using rubber. With over 100,000 miles of wear, heat, and fluids breaking them down, the rubber got tired.
One thing we noticed while working on the truck was its excessive motion of the engine. It would lift itself out of the engine bay when applying throttle. That was an instant giveaway that it was time to change out the motor mounts.
GSP’s mounts included technology aimed at mitigating noise during engine operation, as well as high-quality rubber that would last for a long time to come. Installing these units was more difficult than the hub assemblies, but still doable. With the engine supported, we started by unbolting and removing the bolts holding the motor mount to the frame. We then unbolted the mounts from the engine. From that point, it was a simple swap.
Loaded Struts
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmVcodIpk6U
Struts and springs go on the front of the truck. Their job is to support the weight of the front, as well as cushion jolts and bumps on and off the road.
On our 2008 Silverado, we noticed that the old units had sprouted leaks, indicating seal failure and requiring all-new replacements. Enter GSP’s loaded struts and springs, which were designed to OEM specifications on the Silverado, making them a perfect fit in the truck. They feature a tri-lock piston and rod seal, as well as inner seals to lock in the oil in the strut body and keep outside contaminants from coming in.
Since these struts used the same design as the ones already on the truck, the swap was easy. With the tire removed, all we did was unbolt the strut from top and bottom mounts, and swap in the new strut.
CV Axles
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7AhSG5LZMc
Although commonly associated with front-wheel-drive vehicles, we still run into CV axles all the time in off-road applications. Typically, they’re found on 4x4s using independent front suspension – Toyota Tacomas and Ford Rangers, for example.
As CV axles wear out, you might notice some symptoms. Clicking noises and excessive vibration when turning, as well as grease on the wheels can be signs of bad CV axles.
GSP’s CV axles are a great option when it comes time for replacement. They use stainless steel clamps, premium grade neoprene boots, and specially formulated moly grease. Plus, they feature Silent Ride technology that cuts down on excess noise while driving.
Replacing the CV axles is more of a moderate difficulty than the struts, but is still doable. For our install, removing the wheel was the first step. Afterwards, we removed the brake caliper and strut, and freed the spindle from the upper A-arm. The assembly now had enough droop to pop the axle out, and install the new one.
Intermediate Shafts
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruiHhzrb1o8
Since we’re on the topic of CV axles and 4x4s, let’s finish strong by taking a look at intermediate shafts. These are splined shafts that connect the differential to the CV axle. As part of the vehicle’s running gear, they’re prone to wear over time, but are tucked away and not readily seen. Still, they may require replacement. It won’t happen all the time, but if the intermediate shaft gets pulled out along with the CV axle (see above), chances are it’s time for a replacement.
GSP’s intermediate shafts are manufactured to an exact specification, and each one is heat treated for better strength and longevity. They feature the same Silent Ride technology found in the CV axles, too.
Installing an intermediate shaft is something you can take care of after removing the CV axle, since the two conjoin. With the CV axle out of the way, you can access the intermediate shaft by removing the bolts and cover plate. The intermediate shaft should slide right out. Now would be a great time to check the bearing and race surrounding the shaft; they might need replacement, too.
So there you have it. We’ve covered several topics – features and benefits of GSP’s drivetrain parts, how to detect wear and tear indicating the need for new GSP parts, and brief overviews on installation. Be sure to check out GSP’s website to find parts that fit your vehicle, and stay safe out there!
