Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2011 7:36:00 GMT -6
Yesturday, I changed leaf springs on my performance trailer. It was a lot easier than anticipated. And, saved at least 3 bills in labor cost. If you are thinking about getting this done, I highly recommend doing it yourself. Safety is the main concern if you keep your boat on the trailer. I used solid wood blocks for support.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2011 12:26:57 GMT -6
You must use yours in fresh water. I recently had mine changed and I never would have been able to do it. They needed an air chisel and cutting torch to get the job done. Sure rides better now that it is done though.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2011 6:54:52 GMT -6
Most of the time we are in salt water. I understand what you mean about the old hardware. I cut the rusted pieces off with a cutting blade attachment on my drill, and then just bolted on the new harware.
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Post by T-Topless on Jun 27, 2011 7:44:49 GMT -6
Replace with SS bolts/nuts so its easier next time!
I just upgraded to torsion axle - a lot of work and it cost a lot, but it won't rust up.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2011 21:04:07 GMT -6
ttopless.... I know SS doesn't rust... but that doesn't guarantee a easier job when the time comes...
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Post by Juan on Jul 14, 2011 13:20:32 GMT -6
Replace with SS bolts/nuts so its easier next time! I just upgraded to torsion axle - a lot of work and it cost a lot, but it won't rust up. I'm doing the same thing.. Torsion axles have a down side in that if the rubber grommet wears out, you have to replace the entire axle, where when springs wear out, you cna just replace the springs... and torsion axles work independently and don't distribute the weight evenly at hill tops or crests of steep boat ramps...but they sure do ride smoother and you don't have the problem with rust like you do with springs...  |
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Post by Simple Man on Jul 14, 2011 13:39:19 GMT -6
Juan,
A little off topic but how do you like your shed? Where did you get yours? I'm looking at getting something like that to get my many trailers out of the weather. How do you think it would hold up to a hurricane?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2011 14:33:32 GMT -6
Replace with SS bolts/nuts so its easier next time!  ? QUESTION: If I used SS bolts/nuts, why would there be a next time ? |
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Post by Juan on Jul 14, 2011 15:22:40 GMT -6
Juan, A little off topic but how do you like your shed? Where did you get yours? I'm looking at getting something like that to get my many trailers out of the weather. How do you think it would hold up to a hurricane? I love the shed... I bought two from the same place in Dothan..a smaller one for a small trailer and the tractor and the one the boat is under which I actually had built for a 5th wheel camper that I no longer have... The little shed would blow away in a good fart, but the big one is rated for 120 mph winds....but I think they were stretching their luck with that figure...I wouldn't want to put it to the test. It has gone through some serious storms without any issues and kept everything pretty dry, but it's protected by the smaller shed and a barn on one side and some large pine trees on another... I suspect if it were out in the open, it might have been airborne a few times. |
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Post by Simple Man on Jul 15, 2011 6:25:50 GMT -6
Cool. Thanks. I'm gonna look into them and prob pull the trigger if they are not to high dollar.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2011 6:54:06 GMT -6
Replace with SS bolts/nuts so its easier next time! ? QUESTION: If I used SS bolts/nuts, why would there be a next time ? because the springs will need to be replaced again eventually. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2011 5:11:37 GMT -6
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RunninLate
Lieutenant
Thinking about the boat sitting on the trailer.......WHY
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Post by RunninLate on Sept 12, 2011 19:46:40 GMT -6
Juan,
Like the flag!
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Post by spikedaball on Sept 13, 2011 7:53:16 GMT -6
I also have a performance trailer that has seriously rusted leaf springs and axle supports. I need to replace them as well. But, i've been concerned about getting the old ones off. Do you think cutting them with a grinder would work? Also, were did you find the replacement springs; on line or a local store??
thanks.
tom
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Post by Simple Man on Sept 13, 2011 15:42:49 GMT -6
Grinder with cutting wheel. Sawzall might come in handy too. I have always bought my trailer parts local. Online might be better though? Runninlate: He's an unreconstructed OLD fart! ;D I'm just a unreconstructed fart!! |
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Post by T-Topless on Sept 13, 2011 15:52:01 GMT -6
Tom,
Seeing that you're in Charleston, you can get the springs locally at Tommy Stone's Trailer Shop in Mt Pleasant - behind Taco Bell on Coleman.
Bring an old one with you is the easiest ... probably leave it there if you like ;-)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2011 17:48:18 GMT -6
I have a Road King tandem axle that came with my 270 and just replaced the springs, hubs, disc brake assemblies, rotors and some of the brake lines. My grinder came in very handy for the entire job. I bought all the parts at McClain Trailers here in Houston and saved a TON of money over having it done. One thing I recommend is moving from standard trailer wheels to the spoked aluminum type. Believe it or not they really do cut the temperature down by a lot compared to the standard wheels. In my case over 30 degrees after 100 miles.
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BoutTime
Master Chief
Posts: 337
Location: Emerald Isle, N. C.
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Post by BoutTime on Sept 30, 2011 18:20:26 GMT -6
I am in the process of changing the torsion axle assembly on my 2001 Venture trailer. One of the rubber thingys/bushing units has been damaged so bad that it locked the spindle at an odd angle and destroyed the bearings and spindle. Doing the work myself I can replace the entire axle assembly for about $150 more than it would have cost to have a shop fix the one side.
a sawsall and side grinder with a cutting wheel came in handy in getting the U-bolts and nuts off. the new axle assembly came in today from Venture trailers and hopefully I'll have it under the trailer by Wed. next week.
P.S. having the boat off the trailer and on a buddies boat lift made a very big difference in being able to get to everything.
After this I'm considering going with a spring trailer. Had this been a spring/spindle it could have been fixed for a fraction of what it has cost me. - that's just my opinion.
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Post by Simple Man on Sept 30, 2011 20:01:23 GMT -6
I absolutely HATE working on a trailer. Must be some childhood experience that I am repressing.  Glad to hear you are about to get yours back up and rolling. |
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BoutTime
Master Chief
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Location: Emerald Isle, N. C.
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Post by BoutTime on Oct 6, 2011 19:01:02 GMT -6
Simple Man; I don't mine working on my trailer or the boat IF I have the right tools, knowing that I'm saving myself hundreds of dollars makes it a lot easier. Being retired and having all day to do it don't hurt either. What I do hate to work on is such things as steering and/or shift cables, and electrical.
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Drop your top and go 
?
