Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

[big_chief]

Heard a big CRACK the other day on the way to the ramp, quick check and didnt see anything. Heard another big CRACK again today at the house before I left... checked again and see both leaf springs snapped.

Looks like the way the they snapped, they are actually still holding the trailer off the axel by 1/4 inch. Dumb luck.

My question:

1. how much of an idiot would I be to launch the boat in order to repair the springs? Ramp is about 2 miles away with average bumps along the way.
2. if launching is not recommended, what is the best way to jack the boat and hold it. I never put a trailer w/ boat on jack stands... good/bad idea?

Boat is 19 Cape Horn w/ 150 Yami. Trailer is all aluminum in great shape, except the rusting steel springs and axel.

Attached are pics.

Thanks,

 

[big_chief]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

Alittle more info... The trailer is a double axel w/ brakes. The front axel has the brakes, which is still in tact. The rear axel is just a basic axel is the one where BOTH leafs snapped. They snapped in the exact same spot on both sides and appear to be holding the main trailer frame just 1/4 inch from the sitting on the actual axel.

I guess my question is... if the springs continue to snap before I make it to the ramp, would the trailer just sit on the axel? would it cause any damage if this happened? Obviosuly doing the job without the boat is easier, but if it will cause more issues, then I'll just jack the whole rig.

Thanks,

 

[alldodge]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

Heard a big CRACK the other day on the way to the ramp, quick check and didnt see anything. Heard another big CRACK again today at the house before I left... checked again and see both leaf springs snapped.

Looks like the way the they snapped, they are actually still holding the trailer off the axel by 1/4 inch. Dumb luck.

My question:

1. how much of an idiot would I be to launch the boat in order to repair the springs? Ramp is about 2 miles away with average bumps along the way.
2. if launching is not recommended, what is the best way to jack the boat and hold it. I never put a trailer w/ boat on jack stands... good/bad idea?

Boat is 19 Cape Horn w/ 150 Yami. Trailer is all aluminum in great shape, except the rusting steel springs and axel.View attachment 220725View attachment 220726

Attached are pics.

Thanks,

1) let me just say if someone has a camera you may be the next u-tube sensation
2) Jack it up and put stands on the frame of the trailer, behind the back tire and in front of the front tire. This will support most all the weight and will be safe. If you do not have sufficient stands use 6x6 blocks of wood or larger, but do not use concrete blocks.

Alittle more info... The trailer is a double axel w/ brakes. The front axel has the brakes, which is still in tact. The rear axel is just a basic axel is the one where BOTH leafs snapped. They snapped in the exact same spot on both sides and appear to be holding the main trailer frame just 1/4 inch from the sitting on the actual axel.

I guess my question is... if the springs continue to snap before I make it to the ramp, would the trailer just sit on the axel? would it cause any damage if this happened? Obviosuly doing the job without the boat is easier, but if it will cause more issues, then I'll just jack the whole rig.

Thanks,

The trailer will twist and there is a possibility the spring will dislodge and come up through the boat hull. If it broke complete off the axle will roll out from under the trailer. Don't do it.

 

[big_chief]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

LOL... Thats all I needed... Someone to tell me they would You-Tube it says enough.

Something told me, it wasnt a good idea. Lucky that all this happened at the house.

Thanks!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

1) let me just say if someone has a camera you may be the next u-tube sensation
2) Jack it up and put stands on the frame of the trailer, behind the back tire and in front of the front tire.

Or alternately leave the trailer attached to your truck and just jack up and support the rear of the trailer frame right behind the springs.

That will make it a lot more stable when jacking up the trailer and jerking on the trailer getting rusty bolts off.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

If the front springs look half as rusty as as the rears, I would look at replacing all four springs. Might as well get new u-bolts too, the old ones are probably gonna snap. I can't see much in your pics, but how are the axles?

 

[agallant80]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

I would closely inspect every bolt on the suspension system. Things look pretty rusty down there.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

All new springs and new bolts for sure, they are really cheap. Have a cutting torch handy.

 

[limitout]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

if both rear springs were so rusty they broke then the front ones are most likely gone as well and shouldn't be trusted, especially since spring sets are cheap so as others mentioned, go all new with a full set of springs, hardware, with new hanger brackets and u-bolts is the way to go.

I would pull out the axles and clean the corrosion off of them and repaint them at the same time because it looks like the galvanized coating is flaking off and they need some protection.

you got lucky, very lucky, so take it as a sign to redo the suspension and make it new again. I would also ask yourself when was the last time you replaced the bearing seals and inspected the spindles because it may be the only thing you aren't needing to redo so far at this point.

I find a reciprocating saw (hacksaw on steroids) makes cutting off old rusty parts very very easy and you can get one at the hardware store for around $50

one last note, as mentioned in another thread, if most of the weight is on the rear axle and springs it is often because dual axle trailers need to be level when on the hitch so check your alignment since breaking the rear springs only may be an indicator of them being overloaded because of poor alignment angle.

its a lot to read but very informative: http://forums.iboats.com/trailers-towing/trailer-tires-not-wearing-even-635342.html

 

[big_chief]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

Thanks for all the comments/support guys. A little more backround...

First, I'm a welder by trade, so I have sawzaws, torches, etc. That wont be an issue. And I do plan on replacing all the brackets and hardware. Most of it, I have already and can make/buy the other hardware.

Ironically, I planned on doing some trailer maintainence "one of these days"... it just came faster than I thought.

Yes, I do plan on replacing all 4 springs. But I planned on just doing the 2 broken ones now... then launching the boat so I have better access to the rest of the trailer. I know I need new brakes and will be changing the hubs also. I plan on "inspecting" the axels, once off... if needed... I will be swapping them also. I've learned the value of doing it right the first time over the years.

In a nut shell, Im pretty sure I know what is needed. I just wanted to do this without the boat, but atleast it happened at home. Could have been much worse.

Something I never thought much of was the weight ratio on the axels when stored. I might have pre-maturely added to the issue. I have a habit of storing the boat, jacked up to let rain water run off. I bet Ive been putting too much stress on the rear axel. Ill keep an eye out... thanks for the info. <--I'm in FLA so the boat is used year round... but sits for weeks sometimes.

I'll keep the thread updated if anything odd pops up in the process. Thanks guys,

 

[dingbat]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

I would take a real good look at that axle one you get the springs off. My axles looked a lot better than yours when I crushed it tightening up the new springs.

A 4" grinder with a cutting wheel is your best friend in this situation. Cuts thru bolts like butter and doesn't burn the galvanize as can happen with a torch

 

[big_chief]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

Forgot the mention...

One of the reasons I wanted to drop the boat was because I also planned on swapping the brackets for the bunks also. The bunks themselves are good, but I might replace as well. Question: is there an advantage to using "starboard type caps" on the bunks vs carpet? I see these caps advertised and never used them before... gimick? or worth it?

I'll take some more pics before and after for those interested. I'm the 3rd owner and I knew the 2nd... boat is 2001, assuming trailer is as well. As far as I know, nothing has EVER been touched... so its 12 year old parts. <--This is why I knew this day was coming soon.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

Forgot the mention...

One of the reasons I wanted to drop the boat was because I also planned on swapping the brackets for the bunks also. The bunks themselves are good, but I might replace as well. Question: is there an advantage to using "starboard type caps" on the bunks vs carpet? I see these caps advertised and never used them before... gimick? or worth it?

I'll take some more pics before and after for those interested. I'm the 3rd owner and I knew the 2nd... boat is 2001, assuming trailer is as well. As far as I know, nothing has EVER been touched... so its 12 year old parts. <--This is why I knew this day was coming soon.

Definitely not a gimmick.

 

[phillyg]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

Based on the photos I think replacement of both springs in your driveway is probably wise. Also, take a close look at the rear axle; the photo shows an area where the axle appears to be rusted thru.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

the caps you are referring to are commonly called bunk slicks or sliders and they are AWESOME

boat slips on and off MUCH easier... to the point that if you try to unhook before backing down the ramp you'll VERY likely launch the boat right on to the ramp.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

At the point where you are buying springs, hubs, brakes - might want to look into the price of a complete axle kit. You might be closer than you think dollarwise.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

The starboard or bunk slicks work pretty well, so well as smoke mentioned folks loose the boat on the ramp before they make it to the water. Personally I have no need for them, never had much issue loading or unloading my 10K cruiser and 4800 pound runabout. They both come right up to the stop and have let the grand kids finish the winch strap

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

to be the contrarian, I'd launch the boat fiirst. Not only is it 100 times easier to work on, it's 100 times safer. A rusted out parts job is never smooth and easy, and all that yanking with a boat sitting up there is too dangerous. You'll be "careful" at first not to put a hand or arm between anything, then you'll get sloppy.

Sure, it's also dangerous to drive carefully to the ramp, but realistically, it's the boat parts that are at risk, not your body parts.

Lots of 19' + boats travel on single axle trailers; I might say different if you had a bigger boat.

 

[gm280]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

I've seen some very rusty springs before but I think you got them beat... Absolutely replace all springs, U bolts and all new hardware as well. Now is not the time to scrimp on prices. With this much corrosion I would also inspect the lug nuts, wheel studs, brakes, hubs and bears and races too. And when you do replace those things, a nice coat of rust-preventative paint would go a long way... WOW, be very glad this didn't happen on the road or you and/or the person following you could have had a major problem! JMHO!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Broken Leaf Spring - Dumb Luck w/ afew questions

I wouldn't move the boat one inch! Think what is holding the rear axle on, the other halves of those rusty, broken springs. Big Chief is running on borrowed time and was lucky the springs broke in the driveway. Even a 2 mile tow is risky. At least replace the two springs before towing to the ramp for an off-load. IMHO, of course.