How to replace a broken leaf spring in a utility trailer

[@johnjohannemann1220]

Good job and description as always, thank you.

[@kaylex44]

That air ratchet is cool!

[@carlosrosalesjr7688]

Very helpful found my self with this issue today. Thanks

[@jackpatteeuw9244]

Do you wind your own coil springs ? Expedition/Navigator rear coils don't provide enough capacity.

[@simcoespring]

We do not make our own. However if you send me an email through my contact page at www.simcoespring.com I can look up a heavier pair for you.

[@GeneHamilton-jf4st]

Noticed you only changed one spring vs a set as recommended by most. Curious why you felt changing both springs was not necessary.

[@markkimbel6550]

I hope you don't mind that I linked your video to our facebook page. I sell springs and it will hopefully help my customers with there installs. Thank you for making the video

[@markkimbel6550]

Elgin Trailer Parts

[@simcoespring]

I don't mind. I do have a few more videos on trailers as well if you need them.

[@sonofnone116]

So, the geniuses at the distrubitor an hour and a half away didn't give me the bushing/shackle plate kit today after i asked 3 times if i had absolutely everything i needed. I didnt know they were special bolts with bushings either. Do i absolutely have to go with those, or can I just use Gr. 8 or 12.9 bolts & an off-the-shelf hardware store bushing?

[@simcoespring]

you can use them, however the shackles will wear out prematurely. only the bolt should move on the bushing, not in the shackle itself

[@jackpatteeuw9244]

I just did the same job on a travel trailer the other day ! Many modern TT are labeled "lightweight" because they don't add any extras (like TVs or outside kitchens) so they can skimp on the springs and axles (3500# axles on a 28' trailer). The spring that failed, broke the top leaf exactly where the second leaf ended. I did not want go up to 2500#/5000# spring because I did not want the trailer to bounce to much. What do you think about disassembling the spring pack, removing the bottom (shortest) spring and then inserting a longer second spring (ending under the eyes of the top spring) ? Same thickness (or thinner) than the others.

[@simcoespring]

First of all. Dont mix spring thicknesses on trailer springs. Thicker leaves will just snap. I would put the 5200# springs in and add a morryde 3000 equalizer system in. Added strength in the springs for durability and make it a softer ride from the rubber equalizers. It is my go-to fix for almost all trailers.

[@jackpatteeuw9244]

@@simcoespring WOW ! What a fast response !! I thought seriously about that, but now I have a real expert opinion, I will go that way.

[@timothyturner5910]

What size spring is that My trailer has the same issue I am trying to find the right size spring to replace it

[@simcoespring]

there are a lot of leaf springs that fit in utility trailers. Probably close to 70 different ones available now adays. However There are ususally about 8 common sizes that are used on most vehicles. How to measuer: From the main leaf spring eye, follow the curvature of the leaf to the center bolt. It will normally measure 12.5" or 13.25" those are the most common types. If it is that size then you have to count the leaves and the thickness of each leaf. once you have all that information you can contact your local spring shop or trailer supply company and they will be able to find one for you.

[@theopinions47]

Do you guys send the old metal off in bulk weight to get melted down into something else?

[@simcoespring]

yes, all of our metal gets recycled.

[@Sicktrickintuner]

Any idea why the brakes were missing on the one axle?

[@simcoespring]

The front axle has brakes on it, the rear axle is an idler axle.

[@Sicktrickintuner]

@@simcoespring On a dump trailer, I’m surprised anyone would do that. And with the brackets there, it was on there at one point in time

[@simcoespring]

According to Ministry of Transportation (Ontario) law, any trailer manufactured and sold that has a capacity over 3500 Lbs must have brakes on all axles....however this was made in Indiana or Ohio and brought up here and the law there says it only needs brakes on just the front axle. So they slip through, and unless someone fails it on a safety there isn't really much we can do. I would always recommend brakes on all axles on all trailers. and yes, you can just add brakes to that axle.

[@megan3776]

For the U bolts, you say 90 ft/lb. I just got new ones and the shop I got them from said 66-84 ft/lb. Is there a different setting for deferent U bolts? No torque setting for the other bolts? I'm not quite sure how tight to get them. Is there supposed to be a gap on the inside? If so, how wide? Great video! Thank you!

[@simcoespring]

the Ubolt manufacturer recommends 90 ftlbs, however not all ubolt plates can handle the torque so you have to test the limits unfortunately. As for the gap on the inside, check the Ubolt plate and make sure that it is 1 3/4" between the holes in the ubolt plate. Some people sell you Ubolt plates that are for 2" wide springs and there will be a gap of about 1/8" on each side of the Ubolts.

[@megan3776]

@@simcoespring Thank you! I was only able to torque to 60 ft/lb before the U bolt plates started to bend. Do I need to replace them now that they started to bend? For the other bolts, I was referring to the shackle and spring bolts. First, tighten them with a pneumatic wrench until everything is clamped very tightly, then loosen with pneumatic wrench and re-tighten by hand? I'm not too sure how much to re-tighten by hand so the eye of the spring can roll. I can't tell if it can roll or not. How do I go about it?

[@patryk4278]

how this orange machine is called ?

[@simcoespring]

Www.vicroc.com it is a Vicroc 100 ton hydraulic press.

[@michaelhobden6741]

Why do you cut the old u bolts not undo them

[@simcoespring]

we always replace the Ubolts on trailers. at a cost of about $10 or so each it is actually cheaper labor wise to just hack em off in a few seconds then to clean them up, re-adjust the size of them and re-use them.

[@michaelhobden6741]

make sense thankyou for the reply

[@williamhoward8319]

looks like a travel trailer

[@juancarlosdiaz6734]

👌💯🐬👍😎

[@zpoppe]

Should have replaced all the springs , they all look a little stressed

[@danvanhoose6783]

No music!

[@mikethompson9745]

You know you really don't need the music, especially this crappy one, hard to watch your work even on a super simple job as this , I do mute but i miss alot. just cant watch it anymore ..

[@graydonjones6912]

Sorry you should have removed the tires when you're using a cutting torch around them,very amateur

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

Imagine that, no videos. Keyboard experts yet again.