DIY GMC Truck Repairs
- GMC installs the 3.0-liter V6, 5.7-liter V8 or 7.0-liter V8 in all its truck models. Fortunately, all three engines are modular design. This means if the water pump fails, you can disconnect the malfunctioning pump and install a new one with a wrench. Rarely is any part worth repairing when a replacement is relatively inexpensive and comes with a guarantee from the manufacturer. A list of other parts easily replaceable are the oil pump, power steering and brake pumps, alternator, distributor, spark plug wires (and the spark plugs), radiator fan, serptentine belt and battery connection cables. Any of these devices can be removed and installed without welding, hammering or doing any major disassembly to gain access.
- Just like the engine parts, the brakes on GMC trucks can be replaced with a few tools and one special tool, a jack stand. Holding the truck aloft on a stable platform is a must when working on the GMC truck with a wheel removed. Other suspension parts you can replace are the shock absorbers and the CV joint. Another special tool you need in order to remove the old CV joint is a CV joint puller. A special clamp and screw attaches to the wheel axle and pulls the CV joint and the axle from the truck. The only caveat to remember when working on the suspension or brakes is you can probably only work on one wheel at a time -- suspending the truck on several jack stands is not a stable or safe way to work.
- Of course, the easiest thing to do when an electrical part malfunctions (radio, cruise control, power windows, etc.) is check the fuse. All GMC trucks have a fuse box located below the steering wheel. Just open the panel and check the diagram for the correct fuse controlling the specific bad part. If the wire in the clear plastic case is broken then replace the fuse. Other factors that can affect electrical systems are failing or dead batteries, a bad alternator, broken motors and wiring. Each of these symptoms can be fixed by replacing the specific part.
- It's obvious anyone can change a burned-out dome light. Also, devices such as the cruise control, power seats, power windows and the radio are all modular design with pull-out-plug-in replacement parts. Once you determine the source of the problem, then fixing it is not complicated.
