question on stock trailer suspension

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hello all,i have been trolling this board for some time.  you guys all seem very knowledgable.  i have a problem that i hope you guys might be able to help me with.  I am rebuilding a 1983 Sooner 6 x 24 ft gooseneck stock trailer that the Previous owner tore the slipper spring pack off of the Rear axle Left side.  i pulled the dexter 8K ax and it seems straight and spindles seem good also - hubs good etc etc, looks good.  I am looking for a 6-leaf slipper spring for this axle to put back in, but i am not sure what is availbale today will fit my mounts.  I measure 26 inches from Equalizer hole to center of bolt on rear hanger, and the 6-leaf slipper springs i seem to find today all appear to be longer, with a 29-1/2" overall length from center of eye to end and 26-1/2 to the radius of the bend.  this doesn't seem to be one that will fit - has anyone run into something like this?  will i have to cut the rear bracket and move it back to fit the new springs and then replace both rear springs at the same time?  any help you guys can give me on slipper spring mounting will be greatly appreciated.  Trailer is tagged at 11K for hauling cattle.thansk much. all.micheal
Reply:You need to worry about the measurment from the eye of the spring to the center tie bolt centerline. As this is what aligns the axle.  The slipper part of the spring is not important as long as it hits on the rear hanger. Are your springs 2" wide. I have a 5 leaf spring that measures right for a 26' hanger  to equalizer spacing. The eye to center measurment is 13.75 ". If you can check locally, you can probably use a 5 leaf spring and just add a leaf. If it is a 2.5 wide spring , all are 30.5 long.good luckbob
Reply:A good spring shop could fix you up pretty cheep.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Measure what's left on the trailer.The other spring pack's still there?If off the shelf stuff doesn't match, you may be looking at replacing both sides with matching springs, and moving the slip pads.The radius is important if I remember correctly.  It's the beginning of the slipper travel.  Doesnt come into play after initial movement unless there's serious uplift.  The bolt keeps it from coming out from under the suspension, that's about it.1/2" may not be crucial.  Specially since the bolt is below the actual contact point of the spring.  The eye to contact point is more important than the bolt location.If you remember geometry, .......the farther the point (bolt) is from the base, the longer the distance.  The bolt doesn't relate to the actual pad distance from the eye.  Measure the pad distance.I had to make completely brand new eqaulizers for my stock trailer.  Same kind of slipper spring assembly.  I copied everything as closely as possible, and the trailer's still on the road.  The hardest thing at the time, and this was many years ago, was aligning the bushing that the bolt went thru.  It had to be right on so that the equalizer would be lined up right with both springs.  The radiused plate inside the equalizer was bent by hand with heat.  It was close, but not 100% on the money.I might have a few thou difference in spring height from side to side, but the slipper action is ok.The hanger, or equalizer is sacrificial. Wears long before the spring.  If you're close, you're golden.If you have to buy new springs, the only difference will be the location of the rear hangers.  Simple cut and refit with new ones.This is one I've actually done before, so I can spout nonsense with some convictionWanna get really ridiculous, anal, worried, and lose mega sleep..........try keeping an old Kelsey Hayes suspension up and running  It was obsolete almost before my first adolescent "experience"There's nothing in the suspension that a guy can't fabricate if he has to when it comes to trailers.  Except for the springs"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:thank you guys very much, all.  I will take some more measurements and see what i can do with it.  i thought the suspension wouldn't be that big of a deal to rebuild.  I will get it up and running as soon as i make a little progress on our new barn.  I would expect that i should replace the equilizers as i have noticed some oblong wear on the spring eye bolt point.  since i am rebuilding this, should i put wet bolts in for the spring eyes and the equalizer center bolt pivot point? Not a big deal, but since i have it tore apart an ok thing to put in?  Or does the road grit trapped in the grease wear faster than running them dry?thanks very much, for all your help all.Micheal
Reply:Here is a small guide to spring measuring. http://www.easternmarine.com/em_stor...tech_info.htmlThe oblong holes in your equalizer are an indication that they need to be replaced before something breaks. Check into pricing for a heavy-duty link kit if you want the upgrade from standard shackle links. http://www.trailerandtruckparts.com/...Kit_p_378.htmlGrease will always extend the life of moving parts like these. The orifice at the shank of the bolts should always point horizontally to 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock. It lets the grease out of the bolt shank best that way. Just don't ask me why, I have no idea...City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:thanks very much, all.i appreciate all the reply's.  i will get started on this rebuild shortly.thanks again.  micheal
Reply:michael, all equalizers have replaceable nylon bushings. about $2 ea. ive been in the trailer business 41+ yrs. if the eqalizers and springs are not worn past  the bushing, just replace bushings and you are as good as new. now about the spring- 5 leaf springs are right length. just add another leaf and you will have the same thing.   if you need a leaf i have broken springs to rob from. just pay freight and it will be on the way.good luckbob
Reply:by the way 325-hot- ford  is my phone no.bob
Reply:sent you a PM - i am interested in leaf parts.thansk very much.
Reply:These guys will have anything you need.http://abctrailerparts.com/axles.htmlA butterfly without wings, is just an ugly bug