1997 GMC Yukon Build Thread

[97YukonNZ]

Okay so that was short lived .
Is all back together.
I thought I had a G clamp that I could modify and use to wind the key up and release the adjustment plate.
Seems I lent it out and was never returned.

Do I need a proper clamp?
Can I use builders or woodworking clamp and knock the flat plate off so the ball sits in the depression in the key?

Only asking as I can get a builder's clamp easy
Have called all over town and no one has an automotive 1.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Okay so that was short lived .
Is all back together.
I thought I had a G clamp that I could modify and use to wind the key up and release the adjustment plate.
Seems I lent it out and was never returned.

Do I need a proper clamp?
Can I use builders or woodworking clamp and knock the flat plate off so the ball sits in the depression in the key?

Only asking as I can get a builder's clamp easy
Have called all over town and no one has an automotive 1.View attachment 420167

Wish I had an answer for you. Maybe @iamdub Would know.

 

[97YukonNZ]

Thanks Tony
I had a look online and compared the clamps.
It is a Specialized tool that takes all of that key torsion torque.
No other way apart from the right way.
$370 shipped from Rock auto
$170 shipped on Ubuy
$400 shipped on Summit
Sheesh ayyy!

 

[Tonyrodz]

Thanks Tony
I had a look online and compared the clamps.
It is a Specialized tool that takes all of that key torsion torque.
No other way apart from the right way.
$370 shipped from Rock auto
$170 shipped on Ubuy
$400 shipped on Summit
Sheesh ayyy!

You'd think you'd be able to rent that tool from a shop or parts store.

 

[97YukonNZ]

You'd think you'd be able to rent that tool from a shop or parts store.

Yep tried that! Called about 5 places I knew of and a couple of those guys put me onto other mechanics. Still no luck!!

 

[97YukonNZ]

Have bitten a bullet and splashed out for the cheapest option I could find.

Found this on Ubuy for $171.00 n.z and that included the shipping cost of $76.00

It is getting expensive owning a foriegn car!! Haha
I cant just go down the road and pickup so new bits.
And lol talking about new stuff! I have been getting a bit of vibration or reverb/rattle on front left through potholes or corragations in the road.
Yesterday when I was looking at swapping the keys I checked out the top & bottom arm bushes and they are looking tired and 1 is starting to split the rubber bushe so that is a job to do! Yay!!!

Will have a performance front end by the time I'm done.
Rubber or Nolathane??

 

[iamdub]

Have bitten a bullet and splashed out for the cheapest option I could find.View attachment 420240Found this on Ubuy for $171.00 n.z and that included the shipping cost of $76.00

It is getting expensive owning a foriegn car!! Haha
I cant just go down the road and pickup so new bits.
And lol talking about new stuff! I have been getting a bit of vibration or reverb/rattle on front left through potholes or corragations in the road.
Yesterday when I was looking at swapping the keys I checked out the top & bottom arm bushes and they are looking tired and 1 is starting to split the rubber bushe so that is a job to do! Yay!!!

Will have a performance front end by the time I'm done.
Rubber or Nolathane??

I would've asked the same as Tony- The major auto parts stores here loan tools. It's really not even a rental. You buy it under the loan-a-tool program and get your money back when you return it. Maybe that's not a thing down there.

As for bushings, polyurethane is really stiff and you'll feel, if not hear the difference. Unless this sort of thing doesn't bother you, I'd stick with rubber. Or, split the difference and use rubber on the lower control arms and polyurethane on the uppers.

 

[97YukonNZ]

I would've asked the same as Tony- The major auto parts stores here loan tools. It's really not even a rental. You buy it under the loan-a-tool program and get your money back when you return it. Maybe that's not a thing down there.

As for bushings, polyurethane is really stiff and you'll feel, if not hear the difference. Unless this sort of thing doesn't bother you, I'd stick with rubber. Or, split the difference and use rubber on the lower control arms and polyurethane on the uppers.

Yes I would have thought I could at least rent 1 here. I think if I had booked it in somewhere to get them fitted they would have the tools.

Thanks for your thoughts on the bushes. I will take that knowledge on board and use when I do the replacement.

 

[97YukonNZ]

I am just having a look at these leaf spring hangers that I purchased along with the keys.

And while I was lying under here yesterday I was contemplating the change out of them.

On the drivers side here I am thinking I need to run her low on gas and undo the tank straps while supporting the weight of the tank so I can get either the nuts or the bolts in there when installing the new hangers.
Anything I need to look out for with the tank? Disconnect the filler and breather hoses?
I will drop the spare out and have a good look at it before I start the job. I will be patient and do the front 1st!
Lol it will be Feb 20th before the key unloading tool gets here and I dont want to be seen getting around like this

 

[97YukonNZ]

Okay so I've decided while I'm waiting on the unloading tool for the keys I would start the install on the hangers

So far so good! Have chopped both old hangers off. Going to buzz the surface rust off and paint the area affected.
While the paint dries I'm going to loosen the petrol tank straps off and support the tank. Only want enough room to get my fingers up in the so hoping that plan will be effective.

 

[97YukonNZ]

Cleaned up

And painted! Have used a kill rust satin enamel.

And of course while enjoying Guy time working on the rig I am also helping the wife with some artwork she wants to finish and attach to the front of the house.

 

[97YukonNZ]

Just looking at the New McGaughy's hangers. Man they are a lot stronger than the stock hangers!!
Guess that is because of the inversion of placement creating more stress!

 

[97YukonNZ]

Here I am with what I thought I should do. I have dropped the straps completely and supported the tank.

Managed to move and angle the tank to allow me to thread the bolts through and I will loctite the nuts to them.
Lol I drove it to almost empty.
The tank strap bolts slackened off easy.
Feeling lucky today. I was so not wanting them to be seized and snap.
Lmao I am getting in trouble with shipping needed stuff here at the moment

 

[97YukonNZ]

I have left the wheels on to see if I could pull it off without removing them and supported the diff with another couple of stands.

 

[97YukonNZ]

Bolts in. A brake line rolls past a bolt(bottom right). Was a mission to get the washer at the end of the bolt so to allow it past the line.
Would hate to have crushed that!!

will slip the nuts on and pull them through properly before I add washers and loctite.

 

[97YukonNZ]

So I'm not going to lie and say' Gee that was easy!!
That was a Bee Arch!!!!!
Lying there trying to hold a spanner in place between the frame and tank with a torch in my mouth while ratcheting the nut in place.
My respect and pity to any other dummies brave enough to want a lower ride!!
Hahahaha L.m.f.a.o

Yeah think I'll enjoy the rest I'm going to have putting the other side together!

 

[97YukonNZ]

Hey!!!
Okay so the key unloader has arrived 15 days earlier than expected!
Woohoo! Stoked I did the rear drop on the weekend!

just going to jack her up and get this job going

 

[97YukonNZ]

Yep!!
The right tools for sure!

Omg!! So easy
Pretty happy right now fellas!

 

[97YukonNZ]

Now we are talking!!

Yeah bio!!
Excited! Will level up the front and measure the drop. I have another 1" of rear drop I can grab out of the shackles so after a wee trot around the block I might just grab that!!
Wheel alignment on Wednesday with luck to set the camber back up.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Now we are talking!!View attachment 420738Yeah bio!!
Excited! Will level up the front and measure the drop. I have another 1" of rear drop I can grab out of the shackles so after a wee trot around the block I might just grab that!!
Wheel alignment on Wednesday with luck to set the camber back up.

Looking good. Now maybe you can rent out that tool to recover some funds.