Leaf springs

[woodman]

I was advised by a trailer mechanic that leaf springs on the Montana need to be replaced every two to three years based on age and mileage. The person who advised me of this was a roadside mechanic who replaced my leaf springs and a new G614 tire on Monday of this week, as we were proceeding eastward on I-90 out of Gary Indiana. We were traveling around 60 mph when I noticed the trailer going diagonal behind me. Fortunately we were able to stop as the rear tail of the Monty had drifted near the rail guards of the highway, thus I was able to avoid any other physical damage to the trailer. If you can imagine what it's like to have your rear axel at a 30 degree to the front axle, there's lots of burning rubber and your trailer is not happy. Turns out it was a single bolt that broke where the leaf spring attaches to the axle probably after we hit a bump in the road. The U bolts were fine and tight. My prior maintenance had been to grease the suspension zerk fittings, but not to replace springs. This is another one of those, "who really does this?", moments. Maybe another reason to go with an independent suspension. Ironically, we were heading to a dealership to take our Monty in for a trade. Total damage costs were over $2K for a new tire and leaf springs. This could have been a lot worse considering it could have been in downtown Chicago traffic and worse weather elements. I am heavily considering changing to an IS and disc brakes with my new unit despite the cost.

[mhs4771]

You won't regret changing to the IS and Disc Brakes, the next upgrade from there is 17.5 wheels and tires.

[K0LCB]

The IS and disc brake conversion is the best mod I've made. Improved ride and stopping distance is worth more than the cost

[dieselguy]

I've not heard of the leaf spring replacement advise you were given. I personally have owned several fivers, a couple of car trailers, as well as several farm type trailers and have never replaced springs on any of them for a just because scenerio. In today's world of "quality" products ... there's no guarantee what you buy new won't be worse than what you already have. I have no doubt the IS and disk brake setup is the "cat's meow" for those leaning towards full time use, but it's just not on the "bucket list" of this recreational camper.

[waynemoore]

This is just my opinion but that guy is full of crap. Next time you are in a camp ground ask how many people change out their springs every two or three years?

[mlh]

There is a heck of a lot of campers running around with bad springs including most on MOC. Sounds like BS to me.
Lynwood

[RKassl]

X2

[WaltBennett]

quote:Originally posted by dieselguy

I've not heard of the leaf spring replacement advise you were given. I personally have owned several fivers, a couple of car trailers, as well as several farm type trailers and have never replaced springs on any of them for a just because scenerio. In today's world of "quality" products ... there's no guarantee what you buy new won't be worse than what you already have. I have no doubt the IS and disk brake setup is the "cat's meow" for those leaning towards full time use, but it's just not on the "bucket list" of this recreational camper.

X2 on all he said. Sounds like you had a shackle bolt or the shackle itself break causing the axle to shift. That's not caused by the leaf springs. Only reason to replace them is if you've overloaded your trailer quite a bit.

[nunya]

replaced mine after 9 yrs. started stepping apart and had flattened.30K tow miles, added wet bolt kit and heavy duty shackles. Big difference goin down the highway.

[Carl n Susan]

There is a centering pin between the spring and axle. Its purpose is to ensure the axle is properly positioned on the spring. The axles "U" bolts then "lock" the axle to the spring. The "U" bolts should be checked periodically and torqued to the appropriate tension.

The cause of your problem was loose "U" bolts which allowed the axle to shift under braking or acceleration. You wrote the "U" bolts were tight. How did the axle then slide to 30+ degrees? As the angle of the axle to the spring decreases from 90 degrees to a smaller value, the "U" bolt will naturally tighten due to the deflection. It is rare for the centering pin to break, but if it did, the "U" bolts should hold the axle in place.

RichFAA can elaborate on this failure as he is another victim.

Replacing springs every two years is a $$ maker for the mechanic.

[Art-n-Marge]

I keep my rig about 500 lbs under its Gross weight rating. I have had my rig over 10 years. I've never heard such a thing unless there's some abuse. Admittedly, I don't have that many miles on my rig either and maybe I am one of those who babies my Monty or at least I try to.

I do inspect things often, just to make sure nothing is going awry and I hope nothing does go wrong, but I ain't heading to a suspension shop soon. I hope I haven't jinxed myself.

[bethandkevin]

quote:Originally posted by carl n susan

There is a centering pin between the spring and axle. Its purpose is to ensure the axle is properly positioned on the spring. The axles "U" bolts then "lock" the axle to the spring. The "U" bolts should be checked periodically and torqued to the appropriate tension.

The cause of your problem was loose "U" bolts which allowed the axle to shift under braking or acceleration. You wrote the "U" bolts were tight. How did the axle then slide to 30+ degrees? As the angle of the axle to the spring decreases from 90 degrees to a smaller value, the "U" bolt will naturally tighten due to the deflection. It is rare for the centering pin to break, but if it did, the "U" bolts should hold the axle in place.

RichFAA can elaborate on this failure as he is another victim.

Replacing springs every two years is a $$ maker for the mechanic.

X2 Sounds like the center bolt broke. Must have sheared the head off, a rather unlucky occurrence. Have never heard of replacing leaf springs as a maintenance item, but then again, the greed of some mechanics never ceases to amaze me. It usually shows up when you are in a vulnerable position, as you undoubtedly were. I have fallen victim as well.

[Capt Kidd]

I had a broken spring on my 2011 Monty this last year but the axle didn't move. Had all four spring packs replaced cost about $800.

[Phil P]

Hi

In 2013 on the way back from Lincoln Nebraska I had the same thing happen in Missouri.

Mine was a broken bottom leaf of the curb side rear axle caused by loose U bolts. The G614 on the other end of the axel had a groove cut very deep in the rubber but no cords were showing so I didn’t replace it. That was about 30,000 miles ago so the front springs have 90,000 miles on them and show no signs of fatigue.

As for broken bolts we have had one wet bolt fail and one spring hanger fail neither one resulted in damage other than the item that broke.

Phil P

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by carl n susan

There is a centering pin between the spring and axle. Its purpose is to ensure the axle is properly positioned on the spring. The axles "U" bolts then "lock" the axle to the spring. The "U" bolts should be checked periodically and torqued to the appropriate tension.

The cause of your problem was loose "U" bolts which allowed the axle to shift under braking or acceleration. You wrote the "U" bolts were tight. How did the axle then slide to 30+ degrees? As the angle of the axle to the spring decreases from 90 degrees to a smaller value, the "U" bolt will naturally tighten due to the deflection. It is rare for the centering pin to break, but if it did, the "U" bolts should hold the axle in place.

RichFAA can elaborate on this failure as he is another victim.

Replacing springs every two years is a $$ maker for the mechanic.

Yes we had that exact failure on our 06 3400 in 2007.

[timandsusan]

It sure looks like the message is look under the RV at the axles, springs, etc. on a regular basis or have it done by a respected shop. If anything does not look OK--get it inspected. Happy travels.

[mazboy]

since we're on the subject, what are the toque sittings for everything around axle?

[Carl n Susan]

quote:Originally posted by mazboy

since we're on the subject, what are the toque sittings for everything around axle?

Lug Nuts (8 Bolt Wheels) - 110-120 Ft. Lbs.
Lug Nut Reference

U Bolts (7K axle - 1/2" with 3/4" nut) - 60 Ft. Lbs.
U Bolt Reference

[Wheelhouse]

Yes, the leaf springs can break. We were on a back road just outside of St. John, New Brunswick, when all of a sudden, a tire blew. Pulled off to side of the road and I'll be darn, " BROKEN LEAF SPRING". You cam imagine what went through my head when I saw that in the middle nowhere. I changed the tire and headed for the rv park for the night. When we got up to leave, we found out you had to take a ferry across the river, ka-ching ka-ching went through my head again. Jack-pot, the ferry we free because New Brunswick wouldn't put a bridge across, so FREE it was, lol. We found St. John Spring shop, and they were GREAT. Total cost to replace the leaf spring and redo all 8 spring bolts and sleeves, $250 Canadian dollars. Such a deal. I pulled in at 10 am and was out by noon. Recommend recommend.

[Art-n-Marge]

I use very close to Carl n Susan's numbers... 115 ft/lbs for the lug nuts at the start of any tow trip (right in the middle of the 120-110 recommendation), and 60 ft/lbs for U-bolts on my 6,000 lb axles. All four tire weights last I weighed them and the weight was actually between 2,600 and 2,800 lbs per tire or all under the 3,000 lb rating of each wheel on a 6,000 lb axle. 11 years (in March) of ownership and other than a few tire problems (not believed to be suspension related) and I am happy with my rig combo.