The leaf springs on the rear axle of my twin axle aluminium boat trailer (5 years old) snapped just after I launched the boat and was in the process of driving off to park the trailer.
I plan to replace all four sets of the three leaf spring sets.
The question arises, how does one treat the leaves to minimise (I suspect you can never prevent it) the rusting?
1. Hose off with fresh water every time?
2. Hose off with fresh water and spray with WD40 every time, and respray regularly?
3 Pack them very liberally with grease, wrap with hessian cloth and wire it to the springs?
4 Pack them with grease and leave it exposed?
5 Spray with old gear/engine oil regularly?
6 Other?
Leaf spring treatment
- Doug G
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Leaf spring treatment
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- Doug G
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Re: Leaf spring treatment
Nigel(no top)Sykes wrote:Other...........(have a trailer with rubber suspension)
The boat is 22'0", has two 85 hp outboard engines, carries 40 gallons of fuel (+/-240lbs).
I am not sure that there is a trailer with rubber suspension available to carry that load .
Having a moking good time!
- vsssm27
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Re: Leaf spring treatment
Hi Doug
When I was an apprentice truck mechanic inthe late 70's
My Manager always told Me not to oil or grease leaf springs as this would increase the risk of breaking the leaves.
Most leaf springs fracture rather than rust away ,so not much you can do about it.
I dont think this applies to you but we have more spring fractures now in cold weather on a range of trucks
and most often caused by sleeping Policemen or pot holes.
The best advise I could give is just a coat of paint on the outside .
best regards
from a Freezing Salisbury UK
Steve
When I was an apprentice truck mechanic inthe late 70's
My Manager always told Me not to oil or grease leaf springs as this would increase the risk of breaking the leaves.
Most leaf springs fracture rather than rust away ,so not much you can do about it.
I dont think this applies to you but we have more spring fractures now in cold weather on a range of trucks
and most often caused by sleeping Policemen or pot holes.
The best advise I could give is just a coat of paint on the outside .
best regards
from a Freezing Salisbury UK
Steve
- Robin Jones
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Re: Leaf spring treatment
Doug,
Look for a trailer with torsion axles.....
Look for a trailer with torsion axles.....
This is Matt Jones Son of Robin.
- Doug G
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Re: Leaf spring treatment
Robin Jones wrote:Doug,
Look for a trailer with torsion axles.....
I think I will keep this for a while. The replacement springs on all four positions will cost about US$250.00.
The original cost of the trailer - here - was, =/- US$3,700.00
Having a moking good time!