Torsion springs on your trailer

[NCH2oSki]

Has anyone had bad experiences with torsion springs? I have never had any problems, till this weekend. While sitting in the garage over the winter the observer side spring collapsed and now my tire is rubbing my fender. I jacked up the trailer and removed the wheel, and hub everything looks normal with the bearings and hub.

I will call the manufacturer of the trailer and see what they say tomarow. I am hope this isnt major $$ to repair or replace.

[nms1991]

RE: Torsion springs on your trailer

Which brand of trailer? Never seen a torsion spring fail on a trailer. Hopefully they stand behind their product.

[NCH2oSki]

RE: Torsion springs on your trailer

I am not going to mention the brand, until I see how they handle the problem. Like you I thought torsion springs were pretty much bullet proof. It sure has messed up my weekend. Glad I noticed it before we went out.

[NCH2oSki]

RE: Torsion springs on your trailer

Prestige the trailer manufacturer has offered to send me a free replacement axle. The torsion axle had a 5 year warrenty, and was out of warrenty by a year. I have to have it installed, but at least I dont have to purchase and pay for install. They claim this is the first one to go bad that was not over loaded. They have switched suppliers for the axle, not based on quality, but because the supplier did not offer oil bath hubs. Has anyone here ever installed a torsion axel on a boat trailer before?

I think I will have my boat dry stacked, to give me use of it and make the trailer easier to deal with for the repair.

[NCH2oSki]

RE: Torsion springs on your trailer

My replacement part arrived today, I was surprised, it is the whole complete axle, less hubs. I was expecting the torsion spring and spindle. The local Nautique dealer quoted me from $300-450.00 to replace. That is also if my trailer does not have the boat sitting on it. ( I plan on drydocking it so I still have some use of my boat). There is a really good welding shop in town, should I let them do it instead? THe old axle needs to be cut off, and the new one needs to be welded back on, in perfect alignment.

THe boat dealer has done one before, I havent contacted the welding shop yet. Also the boat dealer will be first of June before he can promise it will be done. Anyone have any experience with this? How bad could it be?

Thanks

[bkhallpass]

NCH20,

I'm really surprised that there is any welding or cutting involved.

I've done two trailer. In both cases, everything bolted in place. Pins
aligned the axles to the springs. The springs aligned because the needed
to bolt into the brackets near the fenders. The only thing I needed to measure was the brackets near the fenders which bolted to the main
trailer frame.

It was very simlple, very easy, very intuitive.

BKH

[ag4ever]

He has torsion springs, which are rubber springs inside the axle tube that prevent the inner axle from twisting. The outter axle is welded to the frame. It is a really nice setup, and if you loose a tire on a tandem trailer, you can keep driving for a short distance by just pulling the bad tire off.

[NCH2oSki]

Ag is right, torsions have to be welded to the frame, nature of the product. I am taking it to the local welding shop that does all our work for us. He is going to let me pull of the wheels, and hubs, then he is going to line it up, weld it, and let me re-assemble. Proabably cost me a couple hours labor at $40.00 per hour. Much better then the 300-400 the local dealership quoted. Plus he can do it on thursday, instead of the first of June.

[bkhallpass]

Got it. I understand now.

Thanks,

BKH