Changing Leaf Springs

[RC]

I have a Caulkins dual axle trailer and am going to replace the leaf springs. I've ordered the new parts and hardware from Champion Trailers and have been spraying the nuts and bolts with penetrating oil. It looks fairly simple. Jack up the trailer (boat still on), remove the wheels, remove all old hardware and replace the leaf springs. Am I missing something? It seems the hardest part will be removing the old rusted nuts and bolts. Any advice is welcome. What other ways can I remove the old hardware if the penetrating oil doesn't help?

 

[JasonB]

Re: Changing Leaf Springs

Just removed the springs from my 1972 tandem axle trailer. My adice... two words... Impact Wrench! <br /><br />I was planning on replacing all bolts anyway.... I believe the replacement is as straightforward as it looks.

 

[wayne h]

Re: Changing Leaf Springs

i find it easyer to do 1 side at a time. everything stays pretty lined up that way. and like jason said impact wrench will make fast work of it. if you dont have a compressor then go get an electric impact from the local auto store they will usually rent them to u for about 20 buxs well worth the money trust me.

 

[RC]

Re: Changing Leaf Springs

Thanks for the advice. I will take it! I could just see myself struggling with those rusted nuts and bolts for a long long time. Thanks again.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Changing Leaf Springs

My 2 Favorite Tools are My Impact Gun,+ My "Blue-Tip Wrench"(Oxy/Ac torches)...............

 

[Solittle]

Re: Changing Leaf Springs

Often the home use impact - air or electric - will not have enough oomph to do it. I have used a piece of pipe on the end of a rachet wrench for a lever. If it does not loosen the nut it will break the bolt.

 

[wayne h]

Re: Changing Leaf Springs

dont use cheap tools

 

[mr T]

Re: Changing Leaf Springs

After you get those nuts off, the bolts do not come out easy depend on how much rust you have. The bolts also has those teeth on the other side. You need to hammer it to push it out.<br /><br />I have to use my car jack as the spring extender to put my spring back on. I hope you don't have to do that.

 

[jlshields]

Re: Changing Leaf Springs

Some leaf springs have a front and a rear. Meaning the distance from the eye to the center bolt may be different from one end than the other.

 

[RC]

Re: Changing Leaf Springs

Thanks again for all the replies. Started last night and worked a bit today. Got one side done without too much trouble. I actually tried the bolts before renting an impact wrench and got 5 of the 8 lose. The other 3 came loose when I added a pipe to my socket wrench for better leverage. (the bolts that hold the spring to the axle were no problem) Will finish the other side this week, then clean and repack the bearings while I'm around that area. Hopefully will be done by the weekend so I can get some fishin done! Thanks again.