Rusty Leaf Springs

[rjbathgate]

Hey,

I've noticed the leaf springs on my trailer are really quite rusty.

Now I guess this is to be totally expected, and unavoidable since it's going in salt water pretty regularly (even taking a good fresh water wash after).

My question is... do I need to worry about it, and worry that one day they'll snap right through? Will a simple knock with a hammer and see if they start crumbling confirm if they are ok or not?!!

Cheers

[jwalker]

Chap them to remove the rust, if they're ok grease them up with water resistant grease. In the old days of leaf springs it was common practise to grease them and bind them with cloth or Denso tape.

[rjbathgate]

Originally Posted by jwalker

Chap them

?

[jwalker]

Sorry, Scottish for tapping (as in with a hammer).

[jyasaki]

Mine got rusty within a month of owning trailer. Liberal amounts of lubricant on the mounts kept squeaks to a minimum, but the springs themselves looked like crap. Didn't worry about it too much until a friend snapped a spring on the drive down. Immediately made plans to replace mine. New ones rusted up again pretty quick, but at least I know they're in a good condition under the rust.

Cheap enough to do - As I recall, 3200# springs were less than $50 US each. I just figure they're on a 3 or 4 year replacement cycle.

I have heard of people pre-treating them prior to installation by immersing them in a vat of heated grease; I don't have the facility or tolerance for mess that that involves.

One of these days, when I get some disposable income (quite a bit, actually), I'm going to convert the trailer to torsion axles and disk brakes. Lose the leaf springs and drum brakes forever.

Luck;

jky

[Pikey Dave]

Can't beat a spray down with 50/50 waxoil & diesel

[free]

Surface rust on a spring should never be a problem unless two leafs bind together, spring action requires each leaf to slide over the others. Grease, waxoyl, gear oil etc all work, you used to be able to buy teflon/plastic liners which went between the leafs to stop bind and increase ride quality.

free

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by free

you used to be able to buy teflon/plastic liners which went between the leafs to stop bind and increase ride quality.

Never seen that. How do you intall the parts? Leaf speings I use are bolted in the center, and have a metal band clip on one side that keeps them from separating.

jky

[free]

You have to remove the center bolt and split the leafs (not a big job) before fitting the slippers inbetween. The rebound clips don't get in the road as they are not bolted through. I've seen some Asian marque springs with "plastic" buttons towards the end of the leafs to keep them separated as well.

free

[jyasaki]

Thanks, Free; will look into those.

jky