Different leaf spring capacity on each side?

[bowfisher8967]

I am restoring a boat trailer i bought. It used to be a motorcycle trailer. Came with an axle and leaf springs (held on with duct tape and wire!) which i believe came off a small pickup truck. After alligning and installing the springs and axle, i notice that when i jump on the trailer, one side dips down more than the other.... I believe i put the springs on in the correct order and/or facing the correct direction, but at the minimum I do have the left and right symmetrical to each other. Even if they were UPSIDE DOWN hypothetically, the bounce on both sides should be the same if the springs are symmetrical on both sides... Right???? I dont know what i'm missing, unless the bolt on one of the hangers is tighter than the bolt on the other, constricting spring movement? What do yall think

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Different leaf spring capacity on each side?

The highly scientific method of jumping up and down on the trailer may not be appropriate to determine the conditions of the leaf springs.

You may want to go with a more casual approach of measuring the height of the trailer on each side with no weight and then put about 300 lbs on it or so, more would be better. Then, measure the height of the trailer on each side. If you get a significant difference, then maybe one of the springs is broken.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Different leaf spring capacity on each side?

"Broken......." or weak, or not tuned for the load, had a broken spring and replaced it with an unknown weight rating.

At max load, i.e. your boat just hit a chug hole at 60, axle reacted with a bang going much farther than normal.....if the spring flexes more than the bow in it...i.e. it goes beyond straight it could fracture and the fracture is at the alignment hole in the center of the leaf. Once that happens it cannot support the intended load. Fractures can be seen from the side of the spring as a straight line across the leaf at the centering hole. Individual leafs can be replaced by you or you could just buy a pair of matched springs, new, or go to a spring shop and have them fix you up.

I'm not a spring expert just had a lot of dealings with them with my boat trailers over the years and later farm trailers of various types, and oh yes, a '72 full sized Chev station wagon that I had an extra leaf added so that I could haul my kids, all my camping gear, and boat around.

HTH,

Mark

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Different leaf spring capacity on each side?

so the "boat" trailer you are "restoring" is a motorcycle trailer with springs and axle from a pickup??? personally I'd STRONGLY consider abandoning it and getting busy with craigslist... If you really knuckle down you can probably find a good boat trailer for $100. You could easily spend much more "restoring" the one you have.

That said, there are several factors that could affect your suspension travel, including missing or rusted sleeves inside the spring bushings or other binding parts.