Slipper spring question

[TNSean]

Do you need to lubricate the slipper spring where the rear of the spring rubs on the mount that is on the frame?

What about the bolt that is on the front of the spring/hanger?

Slowly making progress assembling my NT 5'x8'. It will be nice when I can finally work with some wood.

Thanks

[Dale M.]

Would not hurt on slipper portion.... Bolt is probably ok without....

Dale

[Redneck Teepee]

I did see a small boat trailer a while back with slipper springs that had about a 1/4" thick pad of UHMW (white in color)between the frame and slipper part of the spring.

Not sure if it was factory or owner installed but seemed like a good application to me, could also be that the trailer was galvanized coated and this was to protect the coating from the spring movement abrasion. UHMW (ultra high molecular weight) needs no lubrication or grease or UHMW-PE (polyethelene)(red in color) is even better as one of it's recommended uses is for suspension wear plates.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[KennethW]

I put a piece of plastic pipe(pex) over the slipper bolt to keep it from rattling when I hit a bump.

[TNSean]

I lubed the spot where the spring rubs on the slipper end with some garage door spray lube that is suppose to dry and not attract dirt. We will see what happens.

[Franco Novo]

What is Pipex? like a brake line hose...or air line hosing....
Sounds like a good idea, because I got to this point today installing the leaf springs on my HF trailer
and thought, WoW, that's gonna make a lot of rattle

I don't have much experience with springs, it sounds like the slipper spring setup is to give the leaf springs some 'give' so they wouldn't be to stiff on a bump
am I close.?

thanks
franco

[Redneck Teepee]

What is Pipex? like a brake line hose...or air line hosing....
Sounds like a good idea, because I got to this point today installing the leaf springs on my HF trailer
and thought, WoW, that's gonna make a lot of rattle

I don't have much experience with springs, it sounds like the slipper spring setup is to give the leaf springs some 'give' so they wouldn't be to stiff on a bump
am I close.?

thanks
franco

I think you are referring to PEX Tubing.......it is a flexible plastic tubing or pipe used in RV's for the water lines. That yellow gas line you see the utility company's installing underground is basically the same stuff but a thicker wall.

[ctstaas]

Hi There
49Rob has a post somewhere about lubricatttning leaf springs. Covers the bases for me and I somehow feel smarter by reading his post.
Enjoy, Chris

[KCStudly]

Pex = Polyethylene cross linked. Same stuff used in radiant floor heating systems.

The slipper spring configuration is an economical version of a leaf spring because it eliminates the articulated shackle and hardware used on typical double eye leaf springs. Presumably the springs are less costly to make as well.

I have slipper springs on my boat trailer. They do make a little noise from time to time, but usually the only time I notice it is when maneuvering over the berm at the end of my driveway. My driveway slopes down from the road so there is a 3 or 4 inch berm to keep rainwater from running down out of the street. As i make the turn out of the driveway I will usually hear a slap or "sproing" when the second wheel drops off the berm.

A little grease or slipper pad (delrin or reinforced nylon) between the spring and its wear surface, and the tubing slipped over the retainer bolt sound like good ideas to me.

[Franco Novo]

Hi There
49Rob has a post somewhere about lubricatttning leaf springs. Covers the bases for me and I somehow feel smarter by reading his post.
Enjoy, Chris

I'll try to find that. thank you
Franco