Does the GMC Sierra have leaf springs?
In short, the light-duty Sierra 1500 does not rely on leaf springs for its rear suspension; it uses a coil-sprung rear setup. Leaf springs are reserved for the heavy‑duty Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD, which are built to handle greater payloads and towing demands.
What suspension configurations exist in the Sierra lineup
To understand how the Sierra is configured across its range, here is a concise breakdown of the primary suspension differences between the light‑duty and heavy‑duty models.
- Front suspension: generally an independent design with control arms and coil springs across Sierra models, not a solid front axle.
- Rear suspension (Sierra 1500): a five‑link coil‑sprung arrangement that does not use traditional rear leaf springs.
- Rear suspension (Sierra 2500HD/3500HD): traditional leaf springs on a solid rear axle to maximize payload and towing capacity.
The above points illustrate that leaf springs are not used on the Sierra 1500, but remain a staple feature of the heavy‑duty variants designed for heavy loads.
Notes on generations and current offerings
GM introduced the coil‑sprung rear suspension for the light‑duty Sierra (and Silverado) with the 2019 refresh, improving ride quality and handling. The heavy‑duty 2500HD and 3500HD retained rear leaf springs to support higher payloads, with front suspensions that are largely independent. These configurations have persisted into current model years with ongoing refinements.
Summary: The GMC Sierra does not universally use leaf springs. The light‑duty Sierra 1500 features a coil‑sprung rear suspension, while the heavy‑duty Sierra 2500HD/3500HD uses leaf springs to accommodate higher payloads. Always verify the exact model year and trim for precise suspension details.
