HELP with broken leafspring part number

[Lhinkle114]

Hello friends! We are in the side of the road on route 62/180 & junction TX1437

we have a broken leaf spring on our driver side tire does any one know the part number?

[artfuldodger]

What model trailer do you have and model year?

[Lhinkle114]

We have a Montana 3791 what’s 7000 pound dexter axles I will attach a picture of the sticker. I hope that helps. Dexter is closed so I can’t reach them and we are stuck on the side of the road in middle of nowhere

[Lhinkle114]

Sorry 2019

[artfuldodger]

Been there, done that outside St Louis. I think we had driven quite a ways with a broken leaf that attaches to the spring hanger. Perhaps try driving at slow speed and aim at a town or at least a service station to get off the road. Can,t help with the part number but you need to move to some place safe . Call roadside assistance if trailer is not towable.

[rohrmann]

Some time back I had to replace a couple springs. Got them at a local RedNeck Supply. 3500 lb, 6 leaf, 24 7/8", double eye spring. https://www.amazon.com/Double-Eye-Sp.../dp/B00Z75D76M
You will also have to get bronze bushings to replace the plastic ones that these all come with. http://www.dexterpartsonline.com/pro...077-00%20%20x4
Also, I would recommend replacing both springs on the axle instead of just the broken one. Actually, all four springs would be much better.

[Mikendebbie]

For context and to help advise him - He is currently about 80 miles from El Paso and about 75 miles to Van Horn on IH10.

[Ahdmeyer]

not sure this will help but looking at the map mikendebbie posted this place i found may be the closest https://www.deserthaventrailers.com/parts-amp-service good luck
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[Lhinkle114]

Well, this part number work for 7000 pound axle being it says 3500 or does one on each side add up to 7000

[Lhinkle114]

Well, this part work worth of 7000 pound axle cause it says 3500 or does the summer the left and right add up to 7000 pounds

[LeftOverParts]

You probably have either 3500lb or 4000lb springs per side - depends when Keystone started upsizing the springs. One way to tell is by counting the leaves.

Here are two part numbers from etrailer. Not saying they are correct for your model but should give you an idea. Trailer shops "near" you might carry an aftermarket brand that will at least get you going and they probably are 60%-75% cost of a Dexter spring.

4000lb, 7 leaf, double eye, $170 each
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Lea...er/DX74XR.html

3500lb, 6 leaf, double eye, $70 each
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Lea...ler/e64SR.html

Yelp Listing for Mobile RV Repair (YMMV)
https://www.yelp.com/search?find_des...so%2C+TX+79925

DesertHaven listed above by Ahdmeyer shows leaf springs on their parts page.

[Lhinkle114]

If I have a 7000 pound axle does that mean that a leaf spring on each side should be 3500 pounds

[LeftOverParts]

If you have 6 leaves, probably 3500lb. 7 leaves, 4000lb spring. Per side. We have 7K axles on our 2021 3231CK but has 7 leaf springs which matches to a 4000lb spring.

Edit: You probably have double eye springs but you should check that too. (Sorry if I'm telling you something you already know.)

[Lhinkle114]

Thank you for all your help. Looks like we made enough contact. It will probably get things out of here tomorrow.

[Lhinkle114]

All I have to say is this group is amazing. I don’t think I could ever got this done without everyone’s help. Thank you very much.

[Daryles]

I broke a spring last summer.
I changed all of them after I got home.
3 years old 36000 miles. The bronze bushings were totally gone. The new springs have nylon eye bushings. We will see how long they last.

BTW, the Dexter Axle Manual (copy in the files section) says you should grease the suspension bolts every 3,500 miles...

Buy TWO identical 3500lb 6 leaf double eye springs.
Change the bad one to get going back on the road.
I was lucky, mine broke at the eye and I was able to shore up the spring with a 2x4 between the spring and the frame until we got to our next stop. Spent 10 days there (Upper Clements, Nova Scotia) ordering springs, all new tires (blow out too) and changing them.
Change the one on the opposite side (same axle) when you get to a Campground.
The reason you Change them in pairs is to maintain the axle alignment.
Change the bolts too. Or do that when you get home and Change the other two springs.

As for changing the springs, it is best to do on a level surface with all tires off the ground.
MARK the shackle bolt heads with a sharpie before you jack it up so you know the orientation of the bolt and grease eye. Take pictures.
When you jack the rig the axle will sag down pulling the shackles down. Take a picture so you know the position of the mark on the bolt now.
When you pull the Shackle bolt watch where the grease eye is in the bolt shaft.
The bolts should be installed so the grease eye is at 9 o'clock or 3 o'clock with the weight on the wheels. Shackle bolts are awkward because the Shackles flip with weight on/off.
Hanger bolts stay where they are, no problem. Again 9 and 3 o'clock for them too.

When putting on the new spring, bolt on the hanger side first. The Shackles Pivot so the bolts are easier to line up.
I used the hydraulic jacks to raise the entire rig and put a tire jack under the axle to raise it up/down and two cheap thin crappy ratchet straps to align the axle fore and aft to get the bolts though the eyes. I bought descent 2" ratch straps since then.
Be aware, IF you have Lippert Road Armor Equalizers with heavy duty Shackles, the Shackle bolts are 3.5" long.
The hanger bolts are 3" long.

[Mikendebbie]

Daryles - That is a great write up and explanation...I have ZERO experience with shackles, leaf springs, bushings, bearings, brakes, supporting a jacked up load...ZERO! I can handle many things on my rig - but this is the stuff that scares me.

[Daryles]

Originally Posted by Mikendebbie

Daryles - That is a great write up and explanation...I have ZERO experience with shackles, leaf springs, bushings, bearings, brakes, supporting a jacked up load...ZERO! I can handle many things on my rig - but this is the stuff that scares me.

Good Etrailer and Dexter videos on YouTube.

[Mikendebbie]

Thanks - I like watching the videos for training. I can at least go thru the motions and maybe plan for the process…plus make sure I can find the roadside assistance phone number!

[jimandjuliet]

Originally Posted by Lhinkle114

Hello friends! We are in the side of the road on route 62/180 & junction TX1437

we have a broken leaf spring on our driver side tire does any one know the part number?

be sure to check u bolt tightness. mine were loose. they install springs when the frame is upside down. when it is right side up and finally built.the springs are usually loose because trailer weight straighten springs a little so that less strain then when there was no load on them.should be about 70 lbs torque. My experience has been if they break in middle they were loose if on the ends to heavy load for spring. that advise is worth exactly what you paid for it but having changed about 500 springs in my time that is what i have learned