Questions about 1997 Astro

You would want to add a leaf or two to your srpings in order to increase your payload. shocks do not support weight, they only absorb schock. I added 2 leafs to mine. In practice, this increases the vans payload, But, in court, the van only has the factory rated payload.

Take note that because you are operating as a cab, (proffesional driver/chauffer etc) should you ever be involved in a traffic accident, and it is found that your vehicle was holding in excess of the factory rated payload, you could be liable for damages, and could likely get sued by any passenger having been in your van when it was involved in any traffic accidents.

six point sockets are good because they are less likely to slip off of a six point nut or bolt. However, once a bolt has been mis shaped from a slipping wrench, it can sometimes be difficult to get a six point socket or wrench over the nut or bolt. Thats when a 12 point unit is more desirable.

But the astro has single fiberglass composite springs, I think. Is is possible to add leafs to this type of setup?

Good point. I bought some Monroe Sensa-Trac Load Adjuster shocks and put them on yesterday. If I decide to increase the payload, I will check in to adding leaves.

Since I saw the rated payload, I have taken out the rear seat and limited the number of passengers to four.

Are there any 12 point nuts or bolts on a Chevy truck? Any square 4 point nuts or bolts that would work with 12 point wrenches or sockets? In my research, I read one opinion that twelve point sockets are useful in tight spaces.

Thanks for the information.

My 97 Astro appears to have conventional springs with three leaves.

This was the solution I decided on, along with limiting the number of passengers I carry to four.

I bought the Sensatrac load adjuster shocks. Thanks for the suggestion.

Those fiberglass springs were garbage, one of chevs better ideas?? I took the crappy fraying broken cracked composite springs out of my 87 astro and threw them in the trash where they belong. I put new steel leaf packs in and now I feel safer.

There are no twelve pointed nuts or bolts on cars really. one of the ideas behind a 12 point box wrench is that you have more positions availlable to strart a swing from, making it also more suitable if you only have a 10 or

15 degree swing .Of course, if its a socket, it ratchets so that solves that . also like i said before, sometimes its hard to get a six point socket over a mashed up six point bolt. and sometimes a 12 point socket will slip over a bolt that a 6 point will grab fast !

Its more a personal preference than anything. I have lots of both.

I would worry less about how many points they have, and just make sure you buy tools from someone who offers the lifetime guarantee on them. like Craftsman or better. eventually you may find you have way too damn many sockets and wrenches , with any luck !