leaf spring replacement

[hipster dufus]

i had a tree hit my boat last tues nite.no insurance coverage. i ordered the parts to fix the outboard. my question involves my trailer. the left side leaf spring got flattened out, the axle looks good, tire spins. iwill road test later. how difficult to replace leaf spring? do u do it in pairs?. am i better off just replacing the whole axle assy?small boat, 1444 g3 jon. thanks for ur help.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: leaf spring replacement

I would probably replace in pairs. Shouldn't be too big a deal. Springs are available cheaply from Northern Tool, etrailerpart, etc. Complete axle/spring assemblies are also pretty cheap considering what all you get. However, if yours is in good shape I'd probably just do the springs. Course if it gives you too much grief in disassembley......trash it and buy a new one!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: leaf spring replacement

If a hit from a tree was enough to break a spring, then there is a good chance the axle is also bent. Springs are fairly generic so once it's replaced, take a good look at the axle from about 20 feet behind the trailer. If the wheel on that side is tilted in at the top, the axle is bent..

 

[HappierWet]

Re: leaf spring replacement

I'm having a hard time picturing a hit from a tree that breaks a spring and doesn't wipe out the boat. Can you post some pics?

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: leaf spring replacement

You can do one spring no problem.
Get all new mounting bolts, then cut the old ones off and install the new ones. this is soooooo much easier than trying to reuse the old bolts and U bolts.
when you do it raise the trailer up so the tire is about 1 inch off the ground, JACK STANDS under the trailer frame. Then remove the tire/wheel, gently support the axle with a floor jack and cut away....Install new and your done.
Takes about an hour for the first one then 20 mins if you have to do the other side. Learning Curve.

 

[hipster dufus]

Re: leaf spring replacement

it did not break the spring, it flattened it a bit. maybe 1 in lower then the other one. thanks for ur help

 

[j_martin]

Re: leaf spring replacement

it did not break the spring, it flattened it a bit. maybe 1 in lower then the other one. thanks for ur help

Look closely, likely you have a broken leaf at the center bolt.

If it's possible to flex a spring enough to permanently set it, you're missing a suspension travel stop somewhere, or it's just set up wrong.

hope it helps
John

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: leaf spring replacement

Replace both of them and keep the good one as a spare. Springs wear out evenly. If you only replace one the trailer wont sit level.

 

[shawnc]

Re: leaf spring replacement

Tractor supply sells trailer spings and new axle assemblies. The springs usually run about $25 a piece, depending on the weight rating. They also have the axles, which run about $100 with new hubs (5 lug).

It's not a hard job. I just had my trailer apart when I painted it and it came apart pretty easy for being 20 years old. Some sockets should get you started. If you run into any bolts that are stubborn, heat them up with a propane or MAPP gas torch. That can break the rust free sometimes and give the threads a good bath with penetrating oil.

Get new ubolts if you change the spring. They should never be reused. I would change them both since the springs are cheap. Tractor supply also sells ubolts (~$8 a pair).