Axle over springs

Discussion in 'Boat Yard Basics' started by Brett, Dec 11, 2008.

  1. Dec 11, 2008 #1
    Brett

    Brett > PRO STAFF <

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    I'm looking to lower my trailer to ease the launching
    of The Slipper at the unimproved ramps. I've read
    about moving the axle from under the springs to over.
    Anyone with previous experience in doing this,
    with any recommendations in the procedure so
    as to avoid problems?
     
    Brett, Dec 11, 2008
    Brett, Dec 11, 2008
  3. Dec 11, 2008 #2
    cal1320

    cal1320 Well-Known Member

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    First look at the axle to see if it has any camber built into it. (Lay a straightedge on top to see if it is humped up in the center). If not, its a simple matter of flipping it over and placing on top of the springs. Bolt it up and your good to go. Amount of drop will be the axle diameter and thickness of the spring pack.:)
     
    cal1320, Dec 11, 2008
    cal1320, Dec 11, 2008

  5. Dec 11, 2008 #3
    Brett

    Brett > PRO STAFF <

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    And if it has camber, mark the axle as it exists,
    this side up and reinstall in the same orientation
    over the springs. 3 inches drop at the midpoint
    of the trailer will produce 6 inches drop at the rear.

    Thanks, Brett
     
    Brett, Dec 11, 2008
    Brett, Dec 11, 2008
  6. Dec 11, 2008 #4
    HaMm3r

    HaMm3r Well-Known Member

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    When I rebuilt mine, I moved the axle on top of the springs. It seemed to fit nicely and worked fine. :cool:
     
    HaMm3r, Dec 11, 2008
    HaMm3r, Dec 11, 2008
  7. Dec 12, 2008 #5
    Un-shore

    Un-shore Well-Known Member

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    The only thing you might have a problem with is that there may be a rivit through the middle of the springs that the axle has a reinforced hole that the head of the rivit goes into. If you don't flip the axle there won't be a hole for the top of the rivit to go into.
     
    Un-shore, Dec 12, 2008
    Un-shore, Dec 12, 2008
  8. Dec 12, 2008 #6
    Brett

    Brett > PRO STAFF <

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    Good catch, I would have to either drill a hole
    in the axle, or fabricate a spacer plate with a hole,
    so the rivet would align the axle to it's location.
    Good thing I've plenty of clearance from the springs
    to the frame, and the tires to the fenders.
    Thanks, Brett
     
    Brett, Dec 12, 2008
    Brett, Dec 12, 2008
  9. Dec 12, 2008 #7
    brew1891

    brew1891 Well-Known Member

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    When I had my gheenoe I did a spring flip (with a little help)

    I got new springs because the standard springs were way too heavy for the light gheenoe. Luckily the replacement springs had a middle bolt instead of a rivet.

    All we had to do was flip the axle, remove the center bolt from the spring pack (which was clamped together) and then reinstall the bolt the other direction so it fit into the hole in the axle.

    Another tip: be prepared to address fender clearance issues...i thought i had room and didnt. looks can be deceiving.

    fyi I got the springs from Ace hardware in Titusville.
     
    brew1891, Dec 12, 2008
    brew1891, Dec 12, 2008
  10. Dec 12, 2008 #8
    Brett

    Brett > PRO STAFF <

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    Fender clearance is no problem,
    12" rims on a trailer designed for 16" rims.
    Thanks for the heads up and the bolt flip though.
     
    Brett, Dec 12, 2008
    Brett, Dec 12, 2008
  11. Dec 13, 2008 #9
    Un-shore

    Un-shore Well-Known Member

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    Def. go with the spacer plate so you don't weaken the axle.
     
    Un-shore, Dec 13, 2008
    Un-shore, Dec 13, 2008
  12. Dec 13, 2008 #10
    Brett

    Brett > PRO STAFF <

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    Yep, looked at the fasteners on the axle and springs,
    spacer plate with alignment hole is the best solution.
    Local marine parts dealer even has galvanized plates
    already machined to do the swap. One over the axle,
    One over the spring. Apparently it's a regular request
    from his clients. His recommendation is to twist the plates
    and bolts so the bolt sides are in contact with the axle,
    not the springs. Avoids rubbing of springs on the bolts
    due to spring movement. Thanks to all of you for the advice.
     
    Brett, Dec 13, 2008
    Brett, Dec 13, 2008
  13. Dec 14, 2008 #11
    iMacattack

    iMacattack busy, too busy

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    Got b4 and after pix?
     
    iMacattack, Dec 14, 2008
    iMacattack, Dec 14, 2008
  14. Dec 14, 2008 #12
    Brett

    Brett > PRO STAFF <

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    For those interested, this is the plate assembly
    recommended for flipping an axle:

    View from top:

    [​IMG]


    View from the bottom:

    [​IMG]

    The plate centers on the rivet or bolt through the springs.
    2 u-bolts to attach the axle, stronger, safer.
    Round axle uses round u-bolts,
    Square axle uses squared u-bolts.



    As usual, I was overthinking the problem. Making the solution
    way more complicated than need be. If you want to drop the
    rear of the trailer, the simple solution is to raise the front. duh...
    And that is just way too easy. Flip the hitch in the receiver,
    so the weld angle is upwards. Then move the ball to the top.
    The front of the trailer goes up, the rear drops down.
    The slope angle front to rear changes as much as if
    I moved the axle from under spring to over spring.
    Which I didn't.

    [​IMG]

    Yes, I know I have a rusty ball,
    hasn't had much use for a year...

      ;)
     
    Brett, Dec 14, 2008
    Brett, Dec 14, 2008
  15. Jan 30, 2009 #13
    paint it black

    paint it black Paddling away...

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    I had just redone the springs and axle on my trailer right before I took my boat apart. It sitting way higher now with the new springs. So I think I'm going to do this to it. The irony is that on my truck, the axle is on top, and I need to flip it under. It's not so easy on the truck though. I have to weld on some spring perches.
     
    paint it black, Jan 30, 2009
    paint it black, Jan 30, 2009
  16. Jan 31, 2009 #14
    LoneRanger

    LoneRanger Temporarily Boatless

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    most of our "small boats" weigh less than 1K pounds- I have taken a leaf out of both of my spring packs on the last 2 trailers I have had when I did the axle flip. makes the boat ride MUCH MUCH smoother.


    I can watch my trailer going over overpasses on the interstate running 80mph and the boat hull never moves- before the removing of the leaf the whole boat would JUMP in the air hitting any small bump!

    L.R. :cool:
     
    LoneRanger, Jan 31, 2009
    LoneRanger, Jan 31, 2009
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