Leaf Spring Bolt Bushing

[MrLeadfoot]

Left rear-most bolt bushing seems to be non-existent. TI/EZ Loader tandem axle. What's involved with replacing it?

Thank you.

[SoonerFan]

I replaced the springs, bolts and bushings on my single axle trailer. Not all that hard if you don't mind working on your back.

[MrLeadfoot]

Can I just jack up the one side of my trailer, boat and all, remove the one bolt and swap out the bushing, or will the spring fall down with extreme force, and I won't be able to put it back up? Any tips for me?

[SoonerFan]

Can I just jack up the one side of my trailer, boat and all, remove the one bolt and swap out the bushing, or will the spring fall down with extreme force, and I won't be able to put it back up? Any tips for me?

Not sure exactly what your setup is I describe how I did it on my single axle. You need either a jack or a jack stand to hold up the spring when you remove the bolt. I would jack the boat up to get the weight off the spring. USE JACK STANDS BEFORE YOU CRAWL UNDER. Use another bottle jack or jack stand to support the spring to keep it from dropping. Replace the bolt and the bushing and that's it. Might be a good idea to give it a squirt of grease. I'm not familiar with tandem axel set up so somebody may have better information on the subject.

[bpicinc]

I went to a boat ramp, unloaded boat and used a floor jack and bottle jack to do mine, it's a lot easier with the boat off trailer.

[DaveBrabec]

Jack it up Put on Jack stands and use floor jack to move springs up and down. Replace bolts also.I also replaced Equalizer . Impact drive will make it easier.

[5keepers2]

There are different size bushings. I know of a least 4 different sizes and there could be more. Also the material of bronze and PVC (plastic). My boat has 2 sizes ( 4 of bronze 11/16 x 9/16 and 2 of PVC 3/4 x 9/16) So make sure you have the correct bushing size or some of all sizes they are fairly cheap.

[MrLeadfoot]

Maybe I should jack up the GOOD side, take off the bolt and see what kind and size bushing, since the "bad" side may have nothing left in there. How tight are those bolts supposed to be? Just asking so I know what I am in for in trying to remove the nut, and putting it back. There is no washer on the nut side, nor is it a Nylock bolt, so I assume it's a special lock nut? Can I reuse that nut on a new bolt, or...?

[MrLeadfoot]

Are the bushings pressed in or do they simply slide in and out of leaf spring end?

[bhjr.]

Maybe I should jack up the GOOD side, take off the bolt and see what kind and size bushing, since the "bad" side may have nothing left in there. How tight are those bolts supposed to be? Just asking so I know what I am in for in trying to remove the nut, and putting it back. There is no washer on the nut side, nor is it a Nylock bolt, so I assume it's a special lock nut? Can I reuse that nut on a new bolt, or...?

The nut may be a "stover" type lock nut. Some of these type nuts are designed to bind when going on to lock the nut onto the bolt. I think you'd be fine with any style lock nut you prefer.

[5keepers2]

Are the bushings pressed in or do they simply slide in and out of leaf spring end?

Just a snug fit.....I normally tap into place with a nylon faced hammer or piece of wood and standard hammer.

[5keepers2]

Maybe I should jack up the GOOD side, take off the bolt and see what kind and size bushing, since the "bad" side may have nothing left in there. How tight are those bolts supposed to be? Just asking so I know what I am in for in trying to remove the nut, and putting it back. There is no washer on the nut side, nor is it a Nylock bolt, so I assume it's a special lock nut? Can I reuse that nut on a new bolt, or...?

You should be able to get the old one out to get the correct size. It likely will be worn and need replacement also. If these are worn it is likely the bushings in shackles will also be worn. On my shackles bushing were bronze and on spring attachment to boat PVC.

[MrLeadfoot]

I'm starting to wonder if everything needs to be replaced. Everything squeaks, and I bought it brand new in 1998. Nothing has been changed in all this time. I live 2 miles from Folsom Lake, so for a many years, I just went there weekly, with periodic fair weather trips to lakes within a 75 mile radius. Every so often I'd hit the brackish water if the California Delta, but always rinsed the hell out of it afterwards. Perhaps that's why nothing's needed to be changed for 23 years. But it's gotta be time. I think I'm just going to take it to a trailer shop and have them do it, and at the same time have them give it a thorough inspection. Who knows, maybe shackles are all oblong now. Better to be safe than break down somewhere due to metal fatigue. And, after all this time, although there isn't any rust, I wouldn't be surprised if some nuts are frozen.

[SoonerFan]

I'm starting to wonder if everything needs to be replaced. Everything squeaks, and I bought it brand new in 1998. Nothing has been changed in all this time. I live 2 miles from Folsom Lake, so for a many years, I just went there weekly, with periodic fair weather trips to lakes within a 75 mile radius. Every so often I'd hit the brackish water if the California Delta, but always rinsed the hell out of it afterwards. Perhaps that's why nothing's needed to be changed for 23 years. But it's gotta be time. I think I'm just going to take it to a trailer shop and have them do it, and at the same time have them give it a thorough inspection. Who knows, maybe shackles are all oblong now. Better to be safe than break down somewhere due to metal fatigue. And, after all this time, although there isn't any rust, I wouldn't be surprised if some nuts are frozen.

I think that’s good advice you gave yourself.

[MrLeadfoot]

I think that’s good advice you gave yourself.

Thanks for the comment. I was wondering if I was being too paranoid, so glad to hear that someone else thinks 23 years is long enough on the same bushing, bolts, shackles etc.

[SoonerFan]

My trailer started sounding like I was dragging scrap iron behind me. One day I jacked up the right side to service the wheel bearings and discovered I had been riding around on a broken spring. As soon as I jacked it up, the spring leaf swung down and made it obvious that it must be replaced. BBC advisors advised to replace everything on both sides. I found a trailer manufacturer that had a small parts department for the trailers he sold. He had everything I needed for a very reasonable price. At 68 years old, I learned how to replace springs on a boat trailer. Wasn’t so hard and gave me a real feeling of accomplishment. I had to fix it in the garage. With the broken spring it would’ve had to be towed in and the only trailer repair shop in OKC
had recently retired.

81E2D95E-22DC-4828-B111-A14EE07F5A7F.jpeg

[MrLeadfoot]

Oh, I have no doubt that I can do the work myself. I have all the tools including two floor jacks, 6 jackstands, air tools, etc. But, I'm not so sure I want to deal with finding out I need this and then that, and running back and forth trying to find parts, and working on my back in my cramped garage with the boat on it. Sometimes, it's just not worth the headache, you know what I mean?

Now, if something was broken to the extent that I couldn't drive it, as was your case, then I would certainly do it myself. At least, the immediate repair. But, I would then still wonder if everything needed to be done anyway, being that it's 23 years old, and be right back to where I am now, wondering if I should just let a pro give it a thorough inspection.

[joebone1]

loosen the bolt. jack up the trailer (not the axle) at some point the pressure will be off the hanger and you will be able to take the bolt out. I would suggest new bolt along with the bushing - most likely the shackles have worn a groove in the bolt. If it was me I would be doing the shackles along with the bolt and bushing.

[DewRonInc]

Dexter's wet bolts are easy easy to install and zero squeaking after install

[fishnfireman]

Dexter's wet bolts are easy easy to install and zero squeaking after install

Sounds like the OP's trailer needs a set.
One of the best investments you can make even for a new trailer.