Know When Semi-Trailer Leaf Springs Go Bad

Gravity is rough. As time goes by it can work against you, taking a toll on your manly/girlish figure, and the figure of your truck. Among the top body parts taking a beating? Your semi-trailer leaf springs, bouncing and banging their way through thousands of miles of heavy loads and pothole-ridden abuse. Are you just assuming yours are up to the task?

How to Tell if Trailer Leaf Springs Are Bad
It’s easy to overlook leaf spring components, assuming prime function when reality is their performance has fallen flat. Luckily you don’t have to be a rocket scientist – or a certified mechanic – to figure out if it’s time to replace them. Here’s how to tell if it’s time for an upgrade…

1. Find ‘em.
   Leaf springs can be found at the front or rear of the trailer, attached above or below the axle. They look like an array of bowed, narrow strips of steel stacked atop one another. This ‘smiley’ or bow-shape configuration allows them to absorb the gravity of the load in your trailer bed.
2. Think about how things are shaking.
   If your vehicle bounced or sways every time you hit a bump, your leaf springs may be wearing out – they’re designed to absorb and prevent such movement.
3. See if they’re showing their age.
   Check to see if the leaf springs are cracked, broken, or missing pieces. (Hint: You’re going to get dirty.)
4. Beware of sag.
   Sag under heavy load indicates well-worn springs.
   
   

Leaf Springs Showing Their Age?
Ainsworth provides high-quality, OEM heavy-duty replacement springs, as well as coil components.
Serving the Denver area for nearly 20 years as a preferred provider of trailer service and repair, our affordable, A+ Better Business Bureau rated services are supported not only by local Colorado clientele, but a nationwide customer base that seeks out our trustworthy work. 

Looking for fast, dependable trailer repair? Experience the Ainsworth Trailer Repair difference today.

This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/know-semi-trailer-leaf-springs-go-bad/

Is Your Small Trailer Axle System Putting You in Danger?

Regular maintenance to small trailer axles can prevent a mountain of woe. Daily wear, unknown damage, and overlooked or ignored repair and maintenance needs can take a toll on the complex geometry of the system, potentially resulting in a slew of expensive situations.

It’s Typically Not the Trailer Axle Beam that Requires Maintenance
While the axle is indeed a major part of the axle system, all its attached components work together to keep the system running straight, true, and safe. When a part of the axle system is out-of-whack, symptoms are rarely seen in the beam. What components are most often in need of attention?

●     Bearings
A large percentage of trailer problems stem from failure to perform this simple and inexpensive maintenance procedure. Ungreased and neglected, bearings will overheat, destroying spindles, hubs, shaking tires, and eventually causing wheels to fall off, resulting in extensive trailer damage. Bearings should be greased once a year or every 3,000 miles. In-between, keep an eye out for wobbly tires and grease on the back of the rim, which indicate a leak.

●     Oil Seal
Leaks from the oil seal typically point back to wheel bearing issues.

●     Spindles
Uneven tire tread wear could indicate spindle misalignment. Scratches or nicks on spindle components could also lead to bearing damage. 

●     Wheel Hubs
Wheel runoff crashes are often the result of improper/ignored maintenance. Lack of lubrication and axle nuts that are too tight or too loose are typical causes. Most times, your trailer will give you signs of impending failure via steering feedback, tire wear, sounds and smoky smells. As with other components, it pays to be aware of trailer operation.

●     Castle Nuts
Castle nuts should only be slightly more than hand-tight. Anything further puts excess pressure on bearings, and can lead to premature bearing failure.

●     Tires
The end of the road for the axle system literally and figuratively, issues in the system are often felt and seen in the tires. If you’re eating through tires, seeing odd/uneven tread wear, experiencing poor fuel mileage, or having difficulty controlling your trailer in-motion, look to the above component issues, as well as axle alignment in relation to the frame, to detect the cause. Ignoring the situation could eventually lead to tread separation or failure by blowout.

Reduce downtime and repair costs with regular trailer axle inspection and maintenance. Get off to the right start and ensure a smooth journey with the help of Ainsworth Trailer Repair today.

This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/small-trailer-axle-system-putting-danger/