Does it Matter Which Way a Double-Eye Trailer Leaf Spring Faces

Question

Question:

Are leaf springs directional. I am changing from single leaf to 4 leaf springs. There is a strap on one end of the leaf springs about the 2nd leaf and I see that also the manufacture has painted that eye on that end also. I am putting these on a tandam trailer.Which way should they hang.

asked by: Mike

0

Expert Reply:

If they are double-eye leaf springs, it should not matter which way they are facing. But if they are slipper springs, the eye end is at the front and the slipper is at the back. The springs that we carry are not marked as to which end is front and I have seen them either way on a trailer. I have included some links to suspension FAQs for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

David R.

2/15/2025

I'm changing my tandem leaf springs, was 4 leaf so I put 5 leaf,is any directions on the leaf to install back?or no matter how I installed

Reply

Kate F.

2/17/2025

@DavidR Hello David, Great question. Install the double-eye leaf springs with the curve facing up. One end attaches to a solid mount, and the other connects to a moving shackle so it can flex. Line up the center bolt with the axle, and if one side is longer, it usually goes toward the back. The shackle should swing backward when the spring flattens. Check that the bushings are in place and not worn out. What kind of trailer are you working on?

Reply

Answer 1

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 2

Well shackle length is mainly based on the height difference between the front and rear hangers. The rear hanger normally doesn't hang as low as the front so that the shackle can offset the difference and add the ability to move. What is the…

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Answer 3

The wall thickness of the tubing of the Dexter Axle part #7461121 you referenced is .16 inch. This axle comes with the spring seats welded on at 80 inches but you could move them to match what your trailer needs.

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Answer 4

A brake axle would have brakes, either electric or hydraulic drum or disc brakes while an idler hub would have no brakes. Many times, a tandem axle trailer will have one braking axle and one idler axle. The 3500 lb capacity #35545I-EZ-89 axle you…

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Answer 5

Yes, Lippert and Dexter 7k axles use exact same bearings. The only issue you might run into is a difference in grease seal size required. There are two sizes of grease seals that fit 7k axles and there isn't a rhyme or reason as to which you may…

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Answer 6

Hey Henry, that's a great question but the answer is that it depends...it depends on if your axle is above the leaf spring or below it. If your axle is above the leaf spring it wouldn't affect the trailer height. If below it would raise it.…

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Answer 7

Hey Richard! How did you measure your current leaf springs to get the 25-1/2" eye to eye measurement? We recommend jacking one side of the trailer up to get the weight off of them before measuring because they stretch out quite a bit over years…

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Answer 8

You do want to measure the springs with the weight off of them because they will flatten out with the weight added. Over time, springs can flatten a bit and that is why you are getting the 26 inch measurement. Based on the measurements you provided,…

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Answer 9

Hey Mark, I looked up the specs of the spring you have now and found that it is a 24-3/4 inch long spring from eye center to eye center and for a 7k axle. So that means that the replacement spring part #EM28AJ that you referenced will work great as a…

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Answer 10

Of the axles that we carry the part #T3584F-EZ-8974 that you referenced would be the closest one we carry to what you would need. The spring center measurement is the same at 74 inches. The issues is that this axle measures 89 inches from hub face to…

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Answer 11

The 8-14.5 tires will be 1" wider than your current 7-14.5 tires so you'll be losing 1/2" of sidewall clearance to your fender. I recommend having at least 1" of clearance to the sidewall so it would be best to stick with 7-14.5…

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Answer 12

A 5,200 lbs axle like the #8327816 will not allow you to keep your current bolt pattern. You will have to compromise somewhere, whether it is getting another 3,500 lbs axle or switching bolt patterns. The typical bolt pattern for hubs on your…

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Does it Matter Which Way a Double-Eye Trailer Leaf Spring Faces

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