Leaf springs dont fit?

[skeeter_ca]

I just finished replacing all the spring hangers on my 5th wheel. I thought I replaced them in the exact same spot as the old ones. Right in the center of the I-beam. Now installing the axle the springs are a slight bit wider then the hangers. I got them in but they have some side force pushing outside of the hangers.

Can I move the springs in slightly(1/8"-1/4") somehow to center them better?

skeeter

 

[Utclmjmpr]

What ever it takes,,git her done!!>>>>Dan

 

[John From Detroit]

Not a trailer but a motor home. When we replaced the engine the front axle had to be dropped. now the brackets on both axle and Frame were not moved. Springs remained attached to frame. but when we put the axle back turns out the springs had to be forced sideways a bit.

 

[skeeter_ca]

I do believe the springs shifted when the rear hangers broke and that might have caused some misalignment but not as much as it is. I should have measured the distance between the springs and used that measurement to place the hangers on the I-beam. Live and learn. So I elongated the spring mount holes on the axles about 1/4" each and that brought the springs in alignment with the hangers. The springs did overhang the mount ever so slightly on the inside so I welded a piece of 1/4" steel on the side of the mount for the spring to sit on. I am happy with the results and everything appears to be lined up properly now. Hope others can learn from this post. I sure did.


skeeter

 

[Utclmjmpr]

You probably should have measured at several points along the length of the springs to get an average distance for the placement of the mounts,, that way you minimize the various differences.>>>Dan

 

[Broke Boater]

I think you'll be good with that small of miss alignment, there's rubber bushings in the spring eyes . Likely will be a small amount of bind and may or may not speed up bushing wear. Having the hangers/springs in proper alignment with axle position is really important for tracking straight,,,gregg

 

[skeeter_ca]

No misalignment anymore. Before I modified it the Bronze bushings that replaced the cheap plastic ones were binding and stiff. That really worried me about premature wear. Now everything moves easily with no binding. Should work perfect now.

skeeter

 

[Utclmjmpr]

Glad to hear it,, you gotter done.>>>Dan