How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

[salmonee]

The trailer is 1985 and these "leaf springs?" are rusted. It also looks like I need to replace one of the trailer tires? Can I wait until fall arrives to replace these items?

Note: the photos below are of one tires.

 

[salmonee]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

Second wheel photos.

 

[Shizzy]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

those pics are pretty small. can you make them any larger?

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

These springs appear to have flattened out. This allows very little vertical movement. TIME TO RELACE.

 

[salmonee]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

Try these.

 

[salmonee]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

...

 

[dingbat]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

Pretty bad. Time to replace

 

[ezmobee]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

I just redid a trailer with a pretty rusty axle and springs and they cleaned up really nice. However yours looks much worse. If I were you, I would buy a whole new axle/hub/spring assembly from Northern Tool. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_6970_166839+166843+775719

Under $200 for all new everything.

 

[salmonee]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

EZ,

Is this a pretty simple job? I don't work on car's much besides the little stuff like brake jobs and oil changes.

This is my first boat. Would I drop the boat off w/ the wife at the lake and do the job on a day during the weekend. The lakes like 5 minute from my house. I don't have any jacks to hold up the boat above trailer.

 

[PNW Driver]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

You shouldn't need to take the boat off the trailer. Just jack the trailer up and support it (so it doesn't fall on you). We flipped my axle on my trailer to raise it a bit to match my truck height and it was quick, only 5 or six nuts on each side.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

EZ,

Is this a pretty simple job? I don't work on car's much besides the little stuff like brake jobs and oil changes.

This is my first boat. Would I drop the boat off w/ the wife at the lake and do the job on a day during the weekend. The lakes like 5 minute from my house. I don't have any jacks to hold up the boat above trailer.

I'm not very mechanical either and I didn't find it to be too bad a job. The worst part is getting the bolts out. Northern tool has an axle hanger kit as well that gets you all new hangers nuts and bolts.

 

[kamby]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

Those are pretty flat springs. Time for replacements. If you do keep the axle i'd be repacking/replacing those bearings. I think the other guys are right a new setup will be your best bet. Do u boat in salt water or has the trailer been in salt water?

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

I'm not very mechanical either and I didn't find it to be too bad a job. The worst part is getting the bolts out. Northern tool has an axle hanger kit as well that gets you all new hangers nuts and bolts.

Since you aren't going to save those bolts (because you NEVER save those bolts regardless of how they look), don't try to finesse them off. If you have a torch or a good reciprocating saw, then cut them off. Otherwise get a big breaker bar and a long pipe and just twist them off.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

Those are pretty flat springs. Time for replacements. If you do keep the axle i'd be repacking/replacing those bearings. I think the other guys are right a new setup will be your best bet. Do u boat in salt water or has the trailer been in salt water?

This is the nice thing about buying a complete axle/spring/hub assembly. Everything is new!!! That $200 buys a lot of peace of mind.

 

[bustermin]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

when it comes to things that travel up and down the road or waterway, if you are in doubt about the safety or dependability of a part...it's time to replace it! Remember, right now you have the option of when and where you make the repair, if you wait for the trailer to decide for you, you can bet it will pick the worst spot/time on the road.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

The springs can be replaced with the boat on the trailer. But there is another issue. Those springs are not really flattened that badly nor do I feel they need immediate replacement. The issue though is that there is very little clearance between the top of the axle and the frame. The reason for that is that the back end of the spring is in the wrong hole. Notice that the spring is secured in the top hole. Securing it in the bottom hole will provide additional clearance. I would be more concerned about the rust on the axle mounting hardware than the springs themselves. But if you remove those to replace them, do the springs at the same time. Springs are really inexpensive. It appears you have a slipper style spring.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

I agree with Silvertip. I would probably take them off and sandblast them and put a good coat of paint on them. After sandblasting, you can probably tell a little better if there is significant metal rusted away to cause an integrity issues.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

Springs rarely break where you can see the break. They break through the center bolt hole that holds the spring pack together and acts to locate the axle and spring. Just because they are rusty does not mean they need replacement.

 

[ddrieck]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

If you can change oil and replace brakes, then you can replace the axle and springs. Its actually easier in my opinion than changing rear brake shoes. All you need is a couple of good jack stands and a floor jack. Would go faster if you have or have access to an 1/2'' impact, air or electric. If not, just put some a** behind a 1/2'' breaker bar.

my 2 cents,
Darren

 

[bustermin]

Re: How bad are these rusted out (leaf springs?)?

Personnaly, if i went through all the trouble to disassemble the axle/springs, i would just spend the $200 and replace everything, since your going to have it apart anyway why not, it will give that much more time before you have to take it apart again as apossed to cleaning and painting, yea that will save you some money, but how long before your right back doing it again. plus you could probably sell the old set after you clean/paint it and get close to half the price of the new. which to me would is the best route to go.