Best method for replacing leaf spring **UPDATE**HELP!

[salmonee]

What's the best method of changing leaf springs on an older boat trailer?

1. Unload boat at the lake. Replace springs at the parking lot.

2. Jack up the trailer frame at both back corners and replace springs in the garage w/ the boat on trailer? This one is kind of scary. Total weight =1500-2000lb.

The springs are U bolted to the trailer axle at the center. The eye of the spring is then bolted to the frame at each ends. I considered replacing one spring at a time but don't think that would work w/ jack supporting the frame side being worked on.

I also read TD method's and that seem harder in my case as I have no blocks. I'm leaning towards #1 but there are unknowns as I've never done this before. Looks easy but the bolts and springs are rusted. Trouble may arise.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

The problem is the old springs are going to be much harder to remove than you think. The ones on the trailer I just refurbished were a b!tch and they didn't look quite as rusty as yours. I had to use a really big 1/2" drive heavy duty socket wrench to get the nuts off which damn near killed me and then the bolts were totally frozen in. I ended up having to borrow a torch to heat them up which melted the plastic sleeve they apparently go in.

What you might be able to do is work on getting the bolts all loosened up at home while your boat is still on there. Tighten them back up and then launch your boat and finish the job in the parking lot.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

I really do not think there is much difference whether the boat is on the trailer or not. I also think you should do one side at a time.

As was stated, you will need hammers, chistles, breaker bars, pipe wrenches and penetrating oil, as well as complement of standard hand tools. I would be prepared to not reuse any hardware, except for the heavy duty bolts that hold the sprinfs to the holders. These may be slavageable. usually the U bolts break, when you try to remove them. If you have shackles install new bushings. Expect to need to modify the hardware somewhat. Sometimes rust, wear and the lack of exact replacement parts can influence the repair.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Not sure where you are located at but I would try to off load the boat and then take the trailer back home and work on it. Thats where all my tools and work bench is so if i ran into trouble I would have what I needed. I agree, it will probably be worse than you expect.

Can you tie the boat up to a friends dock? Is there a marina nearby that you can rent a mooring bouy of dock slip from for the day?

I would not replace mine with the boat on the trailer. Good luck!

 

[rcracerx]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

I just did my trailer with new springs, bearinrs, rollers etc...

If your springs are like mine were you are better off just cutting the U-Bolts. I used a 4 inch cut off wheel and zipped the ubolts off. Supported the frame on both sides of the springs and also supported the axle on the side I was working on.

Rc

 

[Mark42]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

I put springs on a trailer with the boat on the trailer in my garage. Total weight of boat and trailer was about 1600 lbs. The trailer was jacked up, jack stands put under the frame on one side, then it was disassembled. The boat didn't seem to make things difficult.

I would also put the penetrating oil on everything a week or two before doing the springs. If you can use the trailer during that time it will help work the oil in.

 

[salmonee]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Mark sounds like your boat is similar to mine. Mine is a Sailfish 16' glass. I don't think it weighs very much. The motor is 400lb though.

It sounded like you changed the spring one at a time. I'm a little curious at this. When you took the spring off say on the port side, the axle would fall out from under the trailer on that side. I figure the wheel on starboard side would be "flimsy" at this point. Did you encounter this?

Also what is this "penetrating oil" everyone is referring to? If I run to the hardware store and ask for it would they know what I'm talking about?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

PB Blaster is one of the best penetrating oil. They will have it.

 

[wicked]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

leave the boat on, jack up the side your going to work on first .ya can try to remove the bolts but probably rusted out so cut them off. use a punch to drive the bolt out . install new leaf spring and do the same on the other side . don't use heat unless you absolutely have too because it will melt the rubber or polyurethane bushings. its not a hard job just takes time and think of the $ you are saving by doing it yourself. goodluck

 

[nlain]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Penetrating oil, I would recommend PB Blaster, should be able to get at auto parts or hwd store.

Get 2 jack stands to support the trailer while working on it, jack up one side and place the jack stands in front of and behind the spring, remove the wheel, you should then be able to lower the jack far enough to take the pressure off the spring, you will need to be able to do that so you can remove the old spring and install the new one. You need to be sure you have some extra movement in case the new spring has more arch than the old one.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Mark sounds like your boat is similar to mine. Mine is a Sailfish 16' glass. I don't think it weighs very much. The motor is 400lb though.

It sounded like you changed the spring one at a time. I'm a little curious at this. When you took the spring off say on the port side, the axle would fall out from under the trailer on that side. I figure the wheel on starboard side would be "flimsy" at this point. Did you encounter this?

Also what is this "penetrating oil" everyone is referring to? If I run to the hardware store and ask for it would they know what I'm talking about?

Now that you ask, I do recall having both sides on jack stands.

One problem I had was the side of the trailer was up against the wall and did not leave a lot of work space. If you do this inside, leave a few feet so you can have space to sit on a stool or kneel and work.

Also, the springs align with pins in the axle, so there were no worries about getting the axle "square" in the frame.

A good coat of rustolium on the new springs now will go a long way toward preventing rust down the road. If you have the time, thin some rustolium with turpentine and brush on so it can penetrate the leafs easily, then do two coats straight.

The PB blaster is supposed to be good. I use Liquid Wrench, because thats what is in my cabinet

 

[nlain]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

If you are going to do both sides of the trailer at the same time then get 4 jack stands, 2 each side. Antisieze for all the nuts and bolts.

 

[Titanium48]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

I replaced my axle with the boat on the trailer using 2 jack stands (one behind each wheel) and the tongue on a concrete block. Some of the nuts were a bit stubborn, but nothing that couldn't be overcome with some PB blaster and a 2 foot cheater bar. I used new bolts, but I could have reused the old ones if I needed to. I suppose it helps that my trailer has never seen saltwater and I live in a climate that is frozen half the year.

 

[Al Kungel]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring

Leave the boat on the trailer. It is a lot more work having to unload and reload the boat. Just put blocks under the frame and go to it. If you are replacing the springs, you should use new u-bolts and nuts anyways, so just cut the old u-bolts.

 

[salmonee]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring **HELP**

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring **HELP**

Okay, I got most of the bolts out but ran into a few problems. My springs are "C" on one end and an eye on the other.

1. In spring #1 the bolt through the eye broke off at the end where the nut met the trailer frame. It was a clean break. There's nothing keeping the bolt from slipping out the other end yet this bolt won't budge?

2. In spring bolt #2, I managed to remove the nut completely. However this bolt doesn't want to move out the other side either. Rust is all that's holding it in place. It's tough as hell. The spring doesn't even slack down after I removed the nut holding the "C" end.

How do I pull the bolt out the other end? It's not threaded or anything. It's just pushed through. Please help.

 

[timdan94]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring **UPDATE**HELP!

I'd use a drift punch and a BFH (Big Freaking Hammer) and drive the bolt out that way.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring **HELP**

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring **HELP**

With mine it was the plastic bushings holding them in place and that's why I had to use a torch.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring **HELP**

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring **HELP**

How do I pull the bolt out the other end? It's not threaded or anything. It's just pushed through. Please help.

Ayuh,... You need a BFH,.. a 20lb.er otta do,+ a drift punch...

 

[salmonee]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring **HELP**

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring **HELP**

With mine it was the plastic bushings holding them in place and that's why I had to use a torch.

I think I have the same problem. The bushing on the eye is totally frozen. I rented an impact wrench and nothing. I'm going to be using all new stuff anyways.

Can you explain how you used the torch to melt the bushing? The bushing is encased through the spring eye. There really is no way that I can see to get access to heat the bushing?

See photos:
http://mysite8.shutterfly.com/

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring **HELP**

Re: Best method for replacing leaf spring **HELP**

Just heat it up and it will melt enough to get the bolt out. Mine actually caught on fire (small) and produced some lovely fumes that I kept accidentally inhaling. Got them damn bolts out though! And we were just using a cheapy plumbers propane torch. Nothing fancy.