leaf spring

Erring a little high on the tire load range isn’t a terrible idea, but I don’t see much point in going excessively high on any of the “hard” parts. 5-lug axles and bearings will be 3500lb capacity, 6-lug will be 5200/6000lb (depending on which outer bearing is used). Do not get too caught up on load range letters, they are helpful to compare within a given size (say, 14” tires) but the actual weight capacity will vary within a size to some extent and will vary greatly between sizes. A load range D 12” tire may have a 1200 lb capacity whereas a load range D 15” tire may have a 2500 lb capacity.

An ‘84 #3 trailer should have been a 5-lug (3500lb) with 14” wheels. They went to 6-lug 15” (5200lb) in late 85 or 86. Can you confirm what you have, Kostas?

Blamey wrote: Morfoot wrote: OldSchoolBlue84 wrote: Looking for LRD tires but having a hard time finding LRD rims matching the tire rating. Personally, I would like to match all components. Thanks Bought a new set of Goodyear Marathons from Wally World last summer along with a new set of rims from a site that TRBenj suggested. The OEM rims were rusting and beat up a bit. Shouldn't have a issue finding both. What was the site. I was trying to find these.

For a ‘88?

OldSchoolBlue84 wrote: Looking for LRD tires but having a hard time finding LRD rims matching the tire rating. Personally, I would like to match all components. Thanks

Bought a new set of Goodyear Marathons from Wally World last summer along with a new set of rims from a site that TRBenj suggested. The OEM rims were rusting and beat up a bit. Shouldn't have a issue finding both.

Thanks Ralph for sharing as it makes complete sense. Your trailer and stands looks great. Good work!

Curious......with the new springs, did you purchase LRD tires to match the spring rating?? Looking for LRD tires but having a hard time finding LRD rims matching the tire rating. Personally, I would like to match all components. Thanks

Here's a few pictures to give an idea. You'll probably note there's a bit more to this project left to go than the shackles :) FYI, all the old metal step plates were removed due to extensive rust damage along the main beams. They are being replaced by angle iron and composite panels / carpet.

Before w/ old nuts/washers removed

Upper plate w/ holes elongated, cleaned and painted

Hat bushing in the upper aft mount.

Rear shot of install

Ubolts thru upper mount and lower plate

Top view

Follow-up on install. Per advice, I moved all the shackle bolts/holes up to 9/16" and it worked out very well. I found a 9/16" Drillco Nitro reamer bit on Amazon, just ran it in/out with slight wobble action so the bolts went in smoothly and not too tight. The 19/32" reamer would have created a bit too much play.   The 2500lb capacity 30" springs came from Agri Supply with slightly higher rise. (Couldn't find 30" 1750 springs.) I used the 1/2" ID Hat bushing from eastern marine reamed to 9/16", also worked out good. (The .825" inner OD fit into the springs with slight play and tightly into the trailer shackle mount. But overall they worked out well.) I ended up using 3-1/2" l x 9'/16" d hole shackle links from e-trailer (vs 4") and that coupled with the stiffer slightly higher rise springs worked well. The 1/2"d x 2-1/16" x 3-7/8" square grade 5 axle Ubolts came from Strengel Brothers. The axle mounting plate holes were a little narrower than the U bolts so I had to elongate the holes slightly, but they eventually went in well and matched nicely with the 2"x3" hole spaced lower mounting plate from eTrailer. I'm pleased with the outcome and really appreciate all the advice and help! Now to complete the rest of the trailer refurb...

Thanks... that's good to know.

Re my shackle links, I'm running into some problems finding the right size. The only 4" on center links I can find out of 1/4" plate have 1/2" holes. They are $9 / plate, a bit pricey but if I used the 1/2" shackle bolts would save me having to ream out the old links to 9/16". That'd lower the cost but not yet certain how much effort the reaming will take. But since the front 1/2" hole mounts are elongated (almost to 9/16"), I'm planning to ream these vs welding on new mounts. I'm not yet certain if the shackle bolt hole should be reamed to 19/32" or 39"/64" yet or if it really matters much w/ the fluted bolts.

I can however find 3 1/8" on center links but even with the new springs, I'm concerned it may change up the setup too much.

Any advice on the above appreciated.

If your tires are toed out in the front it will wear out the inside edge of the tires. Depending on how far you tow it may be best to just let it be. Have you already replaced the seals and repacked the bearings on the axle? No play in bearings.   We had a trailer once that was toed out a little and wore out the inside tread, but we only went about 20 miles round trip and the tires would age out before they wore out.

Here's more than you likely asked for but should help to fill in a few details in case anyone has an interest...

Re the shackle bolts in general, in addition to various sizes, I've noted variations in thread length, whether they are flutted or not, material/finish, and grade. Seems to me it'd be best if the shank rides in the shackle bolt holes but some of these appear to have shorter shanks from the pictures. My current bolts (1/2" no grade marks I can see) ride on the threads on one end and apparently haven't failed for nearly 30 years... so maybe not an issue. Higher strength also seems a good idea... the links below are higher strength bolts (grade 5 or 8 or 593C stainless).

Sturdy Built trailer parts carries the 1/2" x 3.5" shackle bolts. The web site calls them leaf spring mounting bolts.

Here’s 1/2”x3.5” mounting bolt grade 5 zinc plated.
http://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/Leaf-Spring-Mounting-Bolt-12-inch-x-3-12-inch-Zinc-Plated_p_431.html

Here's 1/2"x3.5" stainless 593c   
http://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/Leaf-Spring-Mounting-Bolt-12-inch-x-3-12-inch-Stainless-Steel_p_430.html

I also found a set of 1/2" x 3/5" bolts at Stengelbros grade 8 (these are automotive application I think, hence higher grade, likely overkill):

http://www.stengelbros.net/334-176-HEN-30970-1-BOLT-ASSEMBLY-12-x-3-12-Bolt-with-nut-and-washers_p_1013.html

As for the 9/16" variety, Agri Supply carries longer shanked flutted bolts but they don't indicate the strength, I'd guess grade 5.

http://www.agrisupply.com/leaf-spring-shackle-bolts/p/28987/

I mentioned bushings that would "convert" the 9/16" springs to 1/2", Sturdy Built carries theses but not sure of the OD required for the leaf springs.

http://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/Trailer-Leaf-Spring-Bushing-12-inch-ID-1116-inch-OD-_p_896.html

Ok, the links, got it. I found some 1/2" shackle bolts on one of the websites along with the conversion bushings... but I'm thinking 9/16" as you say can't hurt. Getting new links w/ 9/16" holes will also save me 8 holes to bore out leaving me only 4 to worry with. But I'll have to dig a little deeper into the bushing replacement for the aft upper fixed shackle mount that the links hook to. As for galvanized, I'm not planning any salt water... trailers stored in the garage anyway, shouldn't be any issues on my watch for some time. Once again, appreciate the help!

I found the U bolts on Stengel and also located some on other sites that are galvanized (need to confirm strength) that might also work. Re the recommendation to replace the shackles, are you referring to the shackle bolts or the shackle mounts that'd have to be welded? I'm little unsure of terminology to use on this stuff. Also, would galvanized option again be best way to go on the bolts?

Finally (I hope), what's your recommendations on boring all the holes to 9/16" vs getting 1/2" bushings to go into the new springs? All my hardware right now is 1/2" of course but guessing 9/16" is stronger although maybe little more labor way to go. I'd also have to figure out the upper aft bushing replacement.

Thanks again...

Thanks, just the advice I was looking for! I found nylon hat bushing on east marine site that seems to fit your description... is this the one you're referring to? Nylon right?

Details
Inside Diameter: 1/2 in.
Outside Diameter: .875 in. x Top Diam.= 1-1/16"
Length: 9/16 in.
Finish: Nylon

There's also this kit but the 3" bolt is going to run a tad short based on my shackle measurements... the cc bolt is 3 1/2".

The Loadrite Equalizer Bolt and Busing kit contains: (1) plated shackle bolt 9/16" x3 ", (1) 9/16"-18 lock nut and (2) nylon hat style equalizer bushings.

Again... appreciate the help! This along with full hardware replacement, frame welding to strengthen all the rusted areas, and sandblast and prime and paint is adding up to nearly a new trailer... but this trailer will be an original for what that's worth. It's becoming a learning experience for sure.

I ran across this post searching for leaf springs... pretty amazing "fix"!

I'm new to this forum and not sure this is appropriate under this post, but I'm looking for information on replacement leaf springs for the model / year trailer depicted in this post. So here goes...

I recently acquired mid 80's CC trailer (w/ diamond metal side boards like this post) for my 2001 SN (1989). Among many other things, the springs are badly rusted and I'm a bit fearful of failure. I'm finding out that these springs are no longer available but I'm trying to determine what size they were and if I want to order a custom set (likely $$$, ugh) or another option. The length I'm pretty sure is 30" based on the brackets with a load rating of 1750/axle (based on bearing/axle measurements). But I'm unsure of the width. Does anyone recall if the springs on this trailer were 1 3/4" inch wide or 2"? The bracket inside widths are a little over 2" wide implying a 2" spring.   The current springs on this trailer is 1 3/4" and the brackets are bent slightly where the shackle bolts pulled them in... there were some spacers added but didn't fill the gaps all the way. I doubt this was a CC install, but likely done later down the road although the remaining paint remnants appear original like the trailer.

Another lower cost option I'm considering is replacing with an available 30" x 1 3/4" 2500lb capacity (per axle) spring. But I will likely need to replace the brackets to conform to 1 3/4" width or find some type of spacer that would suffice... I'm concerned with the angled brackets. Also the current shackle bolts are 1/2" with the the threads riding on one side of the bracket (shank too short). The new springs all seems to have 9/16" shackle bolts. The 2500 lb capacity also raises a few issues of increased load on the tires and bearings but certainly can't be any worse than welding the axle to the trailer.

Any advice / info greatly appreciated.