leef spring mounting points

[Pat Reece]

I welded in leaf springs in the last frame I built and I attached the front into the solid mount and I welded the 3 inch pivot in the back of the spring directly over the eye in the rear of the spring as it set un- loaded. With weight on the trailer the pivot angles back and gives to much spring to the axle. I have never installed springs before only a torflex system. I was hopeing one of you GURUS could tell me what I did wrong so I could corect it . I know it isnt right as the tires seem to have too much travel. Thank you for any help . Pat

[Rigsby]

It sounds as though the spring rate is too soft. Is it possible to add a helper leaf or a coilover shocker? Idealy the swinging shackle top mount should be set a bit further back so that the shackle plates are vertical at approx 3/4 load

[Steve_Cox]

I agree with Rigsby, sounds like a case of more load on the spring than you expected. If it is a two leaf spring, I'd ad a small 3rd leaf to the stack. I did that on a harbor freight trailer not too long ago, just happened to have them on hand from a boat trailer I had re-sprung, it took care of the excess deflection problem you mentioned.

[Nitetimes]

I gotta agree with Steve and Rigsby unless you mounted the shackle with too much angle to start with and it's letting the spring come up against the frame at the shackle. Otherwise your springs are just not strong enough.

[Nitetimes]

Just reread your post and it seems you mounted it pretty close to perpendicular so it must be the springs.