grease the springs??

[tomatolord]

Been reading through the different posts and they have been very helpful.<br /><br />Dad gave me his 14 foot mckee, it had little use every year, he has a 17foot that gets all the use<br /><br />boat is a 14 foot mckee around 800 pounds 1980 <br />suzuki (same age - but have to check)<br /><br />trailer seabird - unknown age<br /><br />QUESTION<br />does anyone lube or spray the trailer springs?<br /><br />I only do freshwater, maybe 60 miles round trip<br /><br />trailer does squeek on occasion<br /><br />Gonna be a winter project to get everything back up to snuff - dad did little maintenance on engine or boat trailer (although he did not trailer it at all, it sat in the water during the summer months and then on the trailer in winter months.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: grease the springs??

Won't hurt but kind of a waste. The squeking could be from non use and rust. Give it a few trips and it should even out. Hitting the pivot points with a sray lube is a good idea.<br /><br />Bob

 

[backdraft]

Re: grease the springs??

Yes. WD 40 em

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: grease the springs??

I have sprayed mine for storage, just as a measure of caution. Never seen any side effects.

 

[ED21]

Re: grease the springs??

I spray grease from an aerosol can in mine occasionally. It seems to help a bit and it should keep them from rusting.

 

[Mark42]

Re: grease the springs??

Spray "Chain & Cable" lube seems to hold up well. (may be same stuff as Ed's spray grease) It's kind of sticky, goes on as foam aerosol, penetrates, and doesn't wash off easy. <br /><br />WD40 and other penetrents are too light and evaporate.<br /><br />Don't forget to do the end of the springs, both closed eye and open (if it doesn't have shackles).

 

[Buttanic]

Re: grease the springs??

Whenever I repack the wheel bearings I coat the springs with the old grease from the hubs. Not pretty but it lubricates them and stops rust.

 

[rwidman]

Re: grease the springs??

Oiling or otherwise lubricating the springs may be a good idea for off season storage to retard rust but most of the oil is just going to go into the water the next time you launch. You hate to see that big oil slick and the authorities hate to see it also. <br /><br />The pivot points should probably be lubricated with something heavy enough that it does not get washed into the water.