I am currently tearing down a utility trailer that I got from CL for a great price. I even used it to move from CO to GA, though not without issue. On the way to GA the leaf springs slipped out of alignment and dropped one side of the trailer, nothing a high lift jack and a heavy hammer couldn't fix. However, now that I am to the point where I have access to one side of the axle with good visibility I have noticed a couple of issues. Just for reference it is a 4" drop axle.
The plate the U-Bolt goes through to hold the axle to the springs (I am not sure what this is called) is just a piece of 1/8 steel plate with some holes drilled in it. It looks like they are spaced to far apart as the bolt are just over 1/8 inch away from the springs and it appears bent. I am fairly certain this isn't normal.
The U-Bolts are the rounded type, but the axle is square tube. Does that make a difference?
The plate (for lack of a better term) that has the center pin to keep the springs together has a broken weld on the forward side of the axle, curb side. I don't have enough disassembled yet to get a good look at the other side.
The axel has an addition section of square tubing welded over the center section around a foot long. Is this a sign of modification? Or just some kind of reinforcement? Should I be worried?
As I tear down the trailer to get it prepped for my build I am worried that I may need a new axle. I was thinking of doing the springs on top of the axle to get it close to a normal ride height and to save some pennies, but now I am worried the axle may have been overworked for to long. It does pull strait, and seems to do well, but that was before I started finding some of these issues.
Am I worried for nothing? Should I just correct the issues as I come across them and drive on? Should I just not take the chance and get a new axle? Any advice would be most appreciated.