Broken Spring

[Passin__Through]

I posted this question on a NuWa owners' forum but am also posting it here in the hopes of getting as much advice as possible.

While doing my beginning-of-the-season greasing of suspension fittings on my HitchHiker 26.5RLBG, I noticed a broken spring leaf on the curb-side rear axle. The spring pack is 4-leaf and the broken leaf is number 2 from the bottom. Number 3 leaf looks like it may have an incipient crack in it also, and number 4 isn't looking real happy either. So, time to replace BOTH packs on the rear axle.

My question to all of you is, can I replace the 4-leaf packs with 5-leak packs (if available), on the rear axle only, at this time without goofing up anything else? The ride height would only be maybe 5/16" higher (or whatever is the thickness of the additional leaf) on the rear axle. Later this year I can put springs on the front axle to match the rear.

Seems to me the minimal difference in height shouldn't matter in the short term, but this is my first tandem-axle trailer and I don't know for sure.

Any and all advice will be gratefully accepted. Thanks.

[RollandB]

I'm no expert and won't play on on TV. There are many things I will,spend money on for my own peace of mind and this would be one I'd do by replacing all 4

[MarkTwain]

45Ricochet wrote:

smkettner wrote:
+1 to replace all four. May as well get the wet bolt kit while you have it off. Yes go up one rating level. That might add a leaf or different steel just get the rating. I went from 3500 (pair) to ~4000 and it rides better than ever.

X2
If one has let go, the rest are getting close also.

X3

[MarkTwain]

ford truck guy wrote:
I'm with ScottG on this.... For a nominal fee , you could have piece of mind knowing they are all new... Not worrying if the others will fail would get the best of me

X1, I would also suggest he replace all the bushings as well. If a spring breaks and forces tires together, you have to have a large flat bed trailer to wench up the trailer. Happened twice, the towing cost was $1200 to tow me 40 miles to the nearest repair facility:(:(

[45Ricochet]

smkettner wrote:
+1 to replace all four. May as well get the wet bolt kit while you have it off. Yes go up one rating level. That might add a leaf or different steel just get the rating. I went from 3500 (pair) to ~4000 and it rides better than ever.

X2
If one has let go, the rest are getting close also.

[time2roll]

+1 to replace all four. May as well get the wet bolt kit while you have it off. Yes go up one rating level. That might add a leaf or different steel just get the rating. I went from 3500 (pair) to ~4000 and it rides better than ever.

Springs are not that expensive. http://www.stengelbros.com/UtilitySprings.htm

[C_Schomer]

I would replace all 4. I'm always looking for ways to make improvements. If one pack broke... it might be time for heavier springs all around, BTDT. I went from 2600 spring to 3000lb springs on a previous 5er and the ride improvement was amazing. I talked to Dexter twice beforehand and they recommended the heavier springs. Make sure the eye to eye measurement is the same. Craig

[larry_barnhart]

We had a spring break on the trip home from the winter 2 years ago. I was lucky to be very close to Ontario Oregon where the rv dealer replaced that spring but of course it was not the correct spring but he did what I asked to get us home. At home our 4 springs were replaced using the code number that is on the soft metal wrap around the springs. This gave the correct length and the same as original springs.

chevman

[45_ACP]

I have been through this issue fairly recently....except the failure I experienced put me on the side of the road.

I would recommend replacing ALL the spring packs and adding a wet bolt kit if not already installed. Peace of mind is priceless and if you are looking at upgrading to heavier packs, it would seem that's what you are after.....

[ford_truck_guy]

I'm with ScottG on this.... For a nominal fee , you could have piece of mind knowing they are all new... Not worrying if the others will fail would get the best of me

[K_Charles]

the front and rear spring have to be the same. Just replace the broken one.

[ScottG]

No way I would just do one axle. Springs are cheap enough and you now know you have issues with them so I would replace them all on both axles.