Angle Of Shackles On Trailer Appear Wrong When Installing Leaf Springs

Question

Question:

I am mounting a trailer axle and according to your instructions the position of the shackles on the rear hanger are opposite of what your picture shows, What am I doing wrong? I am using SW-4 B springs 25 1/4 inch c to c Mounting the hangers at 25 3/4inch c to c makes the angle of the shackles to the forward of the trailer your picture shows them angled to the rear of the trailer which I believe is the correct way. ?

asked by: Lynn

0

Expert Reply:

Ff the springs you are installing are 25-1/4 inches, you would need to place the hangers between 24-3/4 and 25 inches apart. The shackle should be angled as the drawing shows in the attached helpful article, which should be toward the rear of the trailer.

Make sure the trailer is not under load when you are installing the hangers and it never hurts to double check the measurements of the springs and the hanger locations as well.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

0

Skot

1/16/2020

What should the deg of the rear Shackle be when mounted On a single axle trailer

Reply

Jason S.

1/17/2020

The degree of the rear shackle on a single axle trailer isn't something I can give a specific number to. The amount of weight, the measurement between the hangers, the age of the spring as it stretches under use all play into that angle. I've attached an article to help with typical double eye spring suspension like you have.

Helpful Links

faq-Double-Eye-Trailer-Suspension-Review.aspx

Reply

Answer 1

As an example, tire and wheel combination #LHAW121 uses a 5" wide wheel and 205/75-15 tire, which is 8.1" wide. If the Timbren Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System #A20RS545 has 4-7/8" of space between the frame and hub face,…

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Answer 2

Timbren has stipulations in place that state if you install the Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension w/ Idler Hubs #A20RS545 in an area where there isn't a crossmember in frame that you'll need to install a 2" x 2" steel tube in the…

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Answer 3

I attached a picture that shows the proper position of shackles and equalizers on trailer suspension. Sometimes the shackle will flip up but if you jack up the trailer by the axle that's got the shackle flipped you can usually get it to flip back…

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Answer 4

For a single axle trailer, you want the shackle strap to be able to move so that you have the spring deflection needed for your suspension. Angled like the photo or even almost vertical is fine you just don't want the shackle strap to bind and…

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Answer 5

It is not uncommon for the trailer hangers on a tandem axle trailer to be all the same size or for there to be different sizes that can be 1-1/2 to 2 inches different in height when you compare the center hanger to the front and rear. For example,…

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Answer 6

In order for your trailer suspension to function properly you will want the angle of the shackle strap to be towards the axle so that as the leaf spring compresses and expands it will have somewhere it can go. Otherwise, you will not get the optimum…

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Answer 7

Having the shackles below the equalizer would put the leaf spring out of level. Also, the equalizer wouldn't want to function properly and most likely the shackle would end up flipping over to the top of it or binding up/putting undue stress on…

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Answer 8

Measuring the distance from the center of one eye on your original springs to the center of the other eye will give you a general idea of the length of the new springs you need. Your springs may measure slightly longer due to wear so you will want to…

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Answer 9

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Answer 10

There is no exact way to determine the leaf spring length. The best way to determine the length for a replacement is by measuring the existing leaf springs. The hanger distance and shackle length can help you get a good idea, but you're looking…

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Answer 11

You want leaf spring shackles to be at a slight angle as that prevents the springs from flipping around to the other side of the equalizer over uneven terrain. I attached a picture that shows what the angle is typically like.

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Answer 12

It does look like you have shackle straps that are to long and possibly worn out bushings. You can replace your shackles with the 2-1/4" Shackle #LC122487. You will need 8 of these for the entire trailer. I would recommend pulling a couple of…

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Angle Of Shackles On Trailer Appear Wrong When Installing Leaf Springs

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