Protecting leaf springs

Doug G · Jan 25, 2013

I use my Series IIA to pull my boat trailer.

The leaf springs on the rear axle of my twin axle aluminium 'Continental' boat trailer (5 years old) snapped just after I launched the boat and was in the process of driving off to park the trailer.

The leaf springs (on the trailer only) are submerged in each launch and recovery.

I plan to replace all four sets of the three leaf spring sets.

The question arises, how does one treat the leaves to minimise (I suspect you can never prevent it) the rusting?

1. Hose off with fresh water every time?

2. Hose off with fresh water and spray with WD40 every time, and respray regularly?

3 Pack them very liberally with grease, wrap with hessian cloth and wire it to the springs?

4 Pack them with grease and leave it exposed?

5 Spray with old gear/engine oil regularly?

6 Other?

Land Raver · Jan 25, 2013

I wire brushed mine thoroughly to remove any loose corrosion. I now spray them with 3 in 1 oil (aerosol type). I plan to respray every 4-6 months. Its only a short job. I tried wd40 but that stuff just seems to evaporate after a couple of weeks. Problem with grease is that its too thick to penetrate the leafs and muck sticks to it creating a gungy mess eventually.

landrover11019 · Jan 25, 2013

Small spray bottle.
80% white spirit/20% engine oil.
Spray before and after the water submersion.

lorri789 · Jan 25, 2013

I always keep a can of old engine oil and it's works wonders at times like these.

Turboman · Jan 25, 2013

Land Raver said:
I wire brushed mine thoroughly to remove any loose corrosion. I now spray them with 3 in 1 oil (aerosol type). I plan to respray every 4-6 months. Its only a short job. I tried wd40 but that stuff just seems to evaporate after a couple of weeks. Problem with grease is that its too thick to penetrate the leafs and muck sticks to it creating a gungy mess eventually.

If you jack up the chassis and put it on stands the axles will hang down opening the gaps between the leaves at the side of the spring. You can then work graphited grease into the gaps,will give you a lovelyride and some protection too.
As far as I know this was standard practice on Landrovers until the time lr took to insetting graphite pads between the ends of the leaves to automatically lube them.
Personally I wouldnt dream of immersing any part of my landy or any other cherished vehicle in salt water, but each to their own. Soz OP I think its yer trailer but the biz with the grease might be worth a try!

Locky1978 · Jan 25, 2013

+1 on the spirit and old engine oil. I use diesel mixed with old engine oil. I swear diesel soaks into steel like water on a paper towel.
I blast it inbetween the springs with one of those cheap underseal guns.

CJ2a · Jan 26, 2013

+2 diesel and engine oil or white spirit and engine oil, petrol and diesel at about 70 30 mix i use any of them on my land rovers

ScratchyDom · Jan 26, 2013

Doug G said:
The leaf springs (on the trailer only) are submerged in each launch and recovery.

Is it just me or did the self-righteous amongst us not read the OP?

I would've thought regular oilings with old enjun oil and hosing down (not jetwashing - you'll blast the oil off) after each submergence would do the trick. And every now and again oil mixed with derv to get between the springs. Good tip to jack up the chassis to open up the springs.

tottot · Jan 26, 2013

Locky1978 said:
+1 on the spirit and old engine oil. I use diesel mixed with old engine oil. I swear diesel soaks into steel like water on a paper towel.
I blast it inbetween the springs with one of those cheap underseal guns.

Have done the same for more than 30 years,cheap and effective.

landrover11019 · Jan 27, 2013

When I had my leafers, I used to jack up on the chassis, and get a big blunt flat bladed screwdriver and whack it in between the leaves, then give them a spray up.

My mate bought a 109 and the springs were siezed solid, sprayed them with wd40, left them for a fews days and then used the above method, worked brill!

Wether a trailer or landy, spray the springs regular.

Protecting leaf springs

Doug G

New Member

Land Raver

Well-Known Member

landrover11019

Active Member

lorri789

Well-Known Member

Turboman

Mab An Gov

Locky1978

Active Member

CJ2a

Well-Known Member

ScratchyDom

Well-Known Member

tottot

Well-Known Member

landrover11019

Active Member

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