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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Trailer wheel alignment and Leafspring replacement		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts
Initially Posted - 09/26/2010 :  08:41:50  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
What would you do?

I purhcased new leaf springs from my Trailer manufacturer (the old ones have been dunked a couple of hundred times in salt water over the past 5 years)

In prep for replacing the springs, first step was to take measurements of the axle positions. My concern is that removing the springs and replacing with new, there's a chance that the axles could be reinstalled out of alignment.

To my suprise, the distances of the axles from fixed points are not all equal.

There is as much as 1" difference in the distance from an axle to a welded cross beam, and 3/16" difference in the distance from an axle to the ends of it's leaf spring.

I marked up the distances on the top of the axles (taking measurements from the front of the axle to a cross member and the back of the axle to a cross member) so that I could put them back in the exact same positions.

We do not seem to experience any tread scuffing that would indicate the wheels being out of alignment, at least not as far as I can determine.

My plan is to prepare of the nuts with a spray of WD40.

Jackup one side of the trailer and support with jack stands.
Then disconnect one leaf spring from the trailer (2 bolts) and detach it from the axle (2 U-Bolts)
Replace the spring, reconnect the axle leaving the U-Bolt nuts a bit loose. Adjust the axle alignment until the measurements match. Tighten down the U-Bolts. Lower the trailer

Repeat for the other 3 springs.

Any suggestions, hints, tricks on this project?

Paul
Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.


Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015
Edited by - britinusa on 09/26/2010 08:42:17

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts
Response Posted - 09/26/2010 :  09:12:32  Show Profile
Have you measured the distance of the spring hangers from a given point on the trailer to make sure they are equal on both sides? It's possible the spring hangers were not welded equal distance on each side, the axles have slipped on the spring, or the trailer frame and/or crossmember is not square.

When I built the trailer for my SeaRay the springs had a small stud sticking up approx 1/4" with a corresponding hole in the axle that locks the axle and the spring together. This helps keep the axle from sliding back along the spring if you hit a pothole and as long as the spring hangers were equally mounted along the trailer frame rail the axles were in alignment.
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britinusa
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5404 Posts
Response Posted - 09/26/2010 :  12:08:03  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
Thanks Gary, Just looked at the new springs and there is a stud, about 1/2" dia and 1/4" tall on the top side of the spring.

That makes sense! I just have to ensure the springs are put in the correct end forward.

Paul
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Ed Cassidy
Captain

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USA
365 Posts
Response Posted - 09/26/2010 :  12:32:16  Show Profile
Getting everything lined up is pretty easy, it's just about impossible to put it together out of line. The one thing in your way may be doing it one spring at a time. If the boat is off the trailer (suggested) it's quite easy to remove all of the u-bolts holding the axle to the spring and then replacing both springs and mounting the axle back.

About the only true measurement you can use is from a set point near the tongue to the same point on both the left and right of the axle and then only after moving straight forward for enough distance to take all the twist out of the tandem assembly.
Ed
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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts
Response Posted - 09/26/2010 :  13:07:20  Show Profile
You might want to rent or borrow 4 automotive jack stands and get the whole trailer off the ground before starting.

As Ed mentioned be sure to get any twist out of the tandem assembly. It's possible your trailer was not completely straight when you measured it.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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