How To Flip Square Trailer Axle For Ground Clearance
Updated 04/04/2025 | Published 01/04/2020
Question:
I was curious if I can mount these Springs on top of my square axle on my boat trailer. I am wanting to raise the trailer frame ground clearance abit. Currently, the spring are mounted beneath the axle. Also, should I use galvanized mounting hardware? My boat trailer axle is 2 sqaure aluminumpossible galvanized. Do you have a part number?
asked by: Jeffrey J
Expert Reply:
It is possible to mount the springs on top of the axle which is called "flipping the axle". To accomplish this we normally recommend an over-under conversion however there is not one with square u-bolts available for your square axle.
Instead I recommend to use CE Smith U-Bolt Kit for Mounting 2" Square Trailer Axles - 4-1/2" Long U-Bolts - Zinc part # CE23103 which is galvanized for boat trailers. The U-bolts measure Inner width of 2-1/8" with a length of 4-1/2" and diameter of 1/2". The kit comes with 2 U-bolt plates for 1-3/4" springs.
Since square axles typically don’t use welded spring seats like round axles do, the leaf spring center pin usually indexes into a hole drilled directly into the axle tube. If there isn’t already a hole on the opposite side, you’ll need to carefully mark and drill a new alignment hole in the tube so the spring center pin can seat properly and keep the axle centered.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
CE Smith U-Bolt Kit for Mounting 2" Square Trailer Axles - 4-1/2" Long U-Bolts - Zinc
- Trailer Suspension Parts
- U-Bolt Kits
- Boat Trailer
- Snowmobile Trailer
- 3500 lbs
- Square Axle - 2 Inch
- 1/2 Inch Diameter
- 4-1/2 Inch Long
- CE Smith
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John
4/4/2025
Square axles do not use spring perches. The spring alignmet pin goes directly into a hole in the axle tube. Flipping is simply installing new u bolts the same size as original and drilling a new alignment hole directly opposite of the original one on the axle tube. Then blotl it all back together on the opposite side of the springs from where it was originally.