Another trailer question!

Fish Mode · 03-01-2006, 10:45 PM

Hey all,

Thankee all for looking and posting

Here we go

what do you think? are the spring leaf's too old and compresses? This is a vintage trailer holding a vintage boat, problem is my financing's not good for another trailer so that's out of the question. Do I need to replace the springs? or is there another factor in this?

Now would this be normal?

It is present on both sides of the leaf's and only on the back end of the leafs...

OK, so it was more than one question, oh well
Thanks

David

trap50 · 03-01-2006, 10:52 PM

Can't really tell what I'm supposed to be seeing in the picture??

pugetplunker · 03-02-2006, 05:21 AM

the only thing i can see from the picture is a rusty bolt which i would change. i would have a spring shop look at the leafs. wish i could help more :depressed:

bigredapes · 03-02-2006, 03:07 PM

Have a similar looking setup and replaced the axle and springs last fall. One afternoon I was looking at the boat and realized that it was crooked -- one side was a lot lower than the other on the trailer. Turned out one spring was a lot flatter than the other, and the boat is pretty well weight balanced side-to-side, so I decided I needed a new set of springs.

The type of spring you have is an "open eye slipper spring". Had a hard time finding them in stock around PDX, and ended up ordering online.

Other thing I found after taking it all apart was the plastic bushing on the slipper end of the spring was worn flat (and almost all the way through). I'm glad I replaced it before the spring started rubbing on the metal bolt itself.

A new set of bolts and plastic bushings are on the order of $15 for both sides. Paid about $100 (+ 1 afternoon) for all new springs & mounting hardware. Boat trailered a lot better after that.

Okie · 03-02-2006, 03:23 PM

Spray all those rusty bolts with WD-40, NOW. What ever you decide to do it could help you get it apart.

Good Luck:

fishingls · 03-03-2006, 06:26 PM

As the springs age, the chance of spring failure will also increase. I have had older leaf springs break from metal fatigue. Also, the rust between the springs influence how the springs work. At the least, take them apart and examine them. If you decide to stay with them, clean them up and apply new paint.

Herring Problem · 03-07-2006, 10:47 AM

If you need springs ,bolts ,nuts, contact Jerry's RV in Bend Oregon. He has all of these parts on the shelves and may be able to supply them to you. I did the complete repair on one of my trailers and the cost was around 100 bucks and 6 pack of suds on a Saturday afternoon.

Second bet-haul it down to Les Scwabs and get a quote, I bet they do it for 125.00. I'm thinking.