TI-345

LEAF SPRING REPLACEMENT
ON AN EXISTING AXLE BEAM
AXLES AND SUSPENSION

Purpose
This document outlines the process for replacing the double-eye leaf spring components on an existing
axle beam assembly. The following procedure is applicable for both underslung—when the leaf spring is
mounted, or "slung," under the axle—and overslung—when the leaf spring is mounted, or "slung," over the
axle (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1
Underslung

Overslung
Note: Images used in this document are for reference only when assembling, installing and/or operating
this product. Actual appearance of provided and/or purchased parts and assemblies may differ.

Safety
Read and understand all instructions before installing or operating this product. Adhere to all safety labels.
The trailer MUST be supported per manufacturer's recommendations before working
underneath. Failure to do so may result in death, serious personal injury, severe product and/or
property damage.
Always lift the trailer by its frame and never by its axle or suspension. Axle and suspension
components are not designed, or rated, for the dead weight, point-of-contact loads that the trailer's
frame is. Do not go under the trailer unless it is supported by appropriately rated jack stands.
Improperly supported trailers can collapse, causing possible serious personal injury or death.
Moving parts can pinch, cut or crush. Keep clear and use caution.
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when performing service or maintenance
operations. Always wear eye protection when servicing trailer axles, brakes, hubs, springs and
wheels. Not using PPE may result in personal injury.
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TI-345

LEAF SPRING REPLACEMENT
ON AN EXISTING AXLE BEAM
AXLES AND SUSPENSION

Resources Required
•
•
•
•

1 - 2 persons, depending on task
Floor jacks
Jack stands
Pneumatic air or impact gun

• Assorted deep well sockets
• Hammer or mallet
• Torque wrench (ft-lb)

Replacement Procedure
1.
2.

Using floor jacks, lift the frame slightly and place properly-rated jack stands under the axles (Fig. 2) so
the shackle bolts can be driven out with a hammer.
Place a suitable block under the axle tube near the area to be repaired.

Note: The block acts as a support for the weight of the axle only, allowing suspended system components
to be serviced or replaced freely. Multiple axle trailers MUST have the weight of each axle properly
supported before disassembly of any suspension system components.
Fig. 2

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LEAF SPRING REPLACEMENT
ON AN EXISTING AXLE BEAM
AXLES AND SUSPENSION
3.
4.
5.

Remove tires and wheels—curbside and roadside—from the axle (Fig. 3) with the affected leaf spring.
Set wheel and lug nuts (Fig. 3) aside for later installation.
Inspect axle/brake assembly electrical wiring and/or hydraulic hoses for length. If lines are too short to
allow lowering the axle, disconnect lines before lowering.

Note: Make sure electrical power is off and hydraulic system has been de-energized before
disconnecting lines.
Fig. 3

Lug Nuts

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Wheel

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LEAF SPRING REPLACEMENT
ON AN EXISTING AXLE BEAM
AXLES AND SUSPENSION
6.

With an impact gun or an appropriate wrench, loosen the nuts on the leaf spring bolts and the
shackle bolts (Fig. 4).

Note: Hold the head of the bolts with a wrench.
Fig. 4

Leaf Spring Bolt

Shackle Bolt

7.
8.
9.

Remove the nuts from the leaf spring bolts and the shackle bolts.
Drive out the leaf spring bolts with a mallet or hammer until they unseat from their hanger.
A. Inspect the threaded end of the bolts for damage to the threads.
B. If threads are damaged, replace bolts. Otherwise, set bolts and nuts aside for later installation.
Drive out the shackle (wet) bolts of the shackle link assemblies with a mallet or hammer until they
unseat from their leaf spring and equalizer.
A. Inspect the threaded end of the shackle (wet) bolts for damage to the threads.
B. If threads are damaged on one or both bolts, replace shackle link assembly. Otherwise, set shackle
link assemblies, shackle links and nuts aside for later installation.

Note: At this point in the installation, Lippert recommends inspecting the equalizer shackle links. If the
shackle links are worn, Lippert recommends replacing them.
Note: Shackle links MUST be reinstalled using the same shackle orientation used previously.
10. Adjust the floor jacks so the jack stands can be removed from under the axle.
11. Using the floor jacks, lower the axle of the leaf spring being replaced.

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LEAF SPRING REPLACEMENT
ON AN EXISTING AXLE BEAM
AXLES AND SUSPENSION
12. Position and orient the new leaf spring (Fig. 5) underneath the trailer to help expedite installation.
Fig. 5
Leaf Spring Clip

Leaf Spring Center Bolt

13. After the axle and leaf springs have been lowered from the chassis hangers and shackle links:
A. Remove U-bolt nuts (Fig. 6A) from the affected leaf spring.
B. Remove U-bolts (Fig. 6B) and tie (spring) plate (Fig. 6C) from the axle (Fig. 6E) holding the affected
leaf spring (Fig. 6D).
Fig. 6
A
C

D

E

B

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LEAF SPRING REPLACEMENT
ON AN EXISTING AXLE BEAM
AXLES AND SUSPENSION
C.

Set U-bolts, nuts and tie (spring) plate aside Do NOT reuse U-bolts or nuts. Tie (spring) plate may
be reused if it is not damaged.
D. Set removed leaf spring aside. Do NOT reuse affected leaf spring.
14. Place the new leaf spring (Fig. 6) onto the axle with the leaf spring clip pointing towards the front of
the trailer. Make sure spring center bolt engages the center hole of the tie (spring) plate.
15. Position new U-bolts and tie (spring) plate on the axle (Fig. 7).
A. Install new washers, if equipped, and hand-start new nuts.
B. Hand-tighten nuts until snug (Fig. 7).
C. Verify the following:
I. Center bolt is engaged in tie (spring) plate (Fig. 7).
II. Leaf spring is square to the axle (Fig. 7).
III. U-bolts are straight up and down and not splayed in or out.
IV. U-bolts have approximately the same amount of thread sticking out of each nut.
Fig. 7

Leaf Spring

Tie Plate

Center Bolt
U-bolt Nut

Leaf Spring Clip

U-bolt

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LEAF SPRING REPLACEMENT
ON AN EXISTING AXLE BEAM
AXLES AND SUSPENSION
16. Progressively tighten tie (spring) plate nuts in a criss-cross pattern, in the order given (Fig. 8), until the
final torque is obtained. Refer to Spring Axle Torque Specifications chart for bolt torque requirements.
Fig. 8

3
2

1
4

Spring Axle Torque Specifications
Bolt Type
Axle Capacity
2K
3/8" U-Bolt Nuts
3.5K
1/2" U-Bolt Nuts
5.2K
9/16" U-Bolt Nuts
6-8K
9/16" U-Bolt Nuts
Spring Eye, Equalizer and Shackle Nuts
All Double Eye

Torque
35 ft-lbs
50 ft-lbs
65 ft-lbs
90 ft-lbs
30-50 ft-lbs

17. Verify the following:
A. Leaf spring is square to the axle.
B. Tie (spring) plate is flat against leaf spring.
C. U-bolts are straight.
D. U-bolts have approximately the same amount of thread sticking out of each nut.
E. All nuts are torqued.
18. Use floor jacks and jack stands to raise axle assembly into position for reinstallation to the trailer's
frame, do as follows:
A. Reinstall previously removed leaf spring hanger and shackle bolts and nuts.
B. When installing wet bolts, use a steel tube and hammer to drive in wet bolts to prevent damage to
the grease fitting.
C. Refer to Spring Axle Torque Specifications chart for bolt torque requirements.
Note: Hold the head of the bolts with a wrench.

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LEAF SPRING REPLACEMENT
ON AN EXISTING AXLE BEAM
AXLES AND SUSPENSION
D. If installing new or previously removed wet bolts, apply new grease. Use NLGI code GC-LB.
E. Reconnect any disconnected electrical lines and/or hydraulic hoses (step 5).
Note: If reconnecting hydraulic hoses, make sure all hydraulic lines are purged of air.
19. Reinstall previously removed tires, wheels and lug nuts (steps 3 and 4) onto the axle (Fig. 3).
A. Start all wheel lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading.
B. Continue to hand-tighten wheel lug nuts in the sequential pattern shown in figure 9.
C. After wheel lug nuts are fully hand-tightened, torque nuts in stages and in the sequential pattern
shown in figure 9.
Fig. 9
1

1

1
4

3

6

6

3

3

8
5

4
5

2
5 Lug

7

2
6 Lug

4

5
2
8 Lug

D. Torque wheel lug nuts to the torque values listed in the Wheel Torque Requirement Chart.

Wheel Size
14”
15”
16”
16.5” x 6.75”
16”
16.5” x 6.75”
16” Dual and 17.5” Cone Nut
16” Dual and 17.5” Flange Nut
14.5” Demount

Wheel Torque Requirement Chart
Torque Sequence
Stud Size
1st Stage
2nd Stage
3rd Stage
20-25 ft-lbs
50-60 ft-lbs
90-120 ft-lbs
1/2”
20-25 ft-lbs
50-60 ft-lbs
90-120 ft-lbs
1/2”
20-25 ft-lbs
50-60 ft-lbs
90-120 ft-lbs
1/2”
20-25 ft-lbs
50-60 ft-lbs
90-120 ft-lbs
1/2”
20-25 ft-lbs
60-70 ft-lbs
120-140 ft-lbs
9/16”
20-25 ft-lbs
60-70 ft-lbs
120-140 ft-lbs
9/16”
50-60 ft-lbs
100-120 ft-lbs
190-210 ft-lbs
5/8”
50-60 ft-lbs
150-200 ft-lbs
275-325 ft-lbs
5/8”
Tighten sequentially to 85-95 ft-lbs
1/2”

20. The leaf spring replacement procedure is now complete.

As a supplier of a broad array of highly-engineered components in the recreation and transportation product markets, safety, education and customer satisfaction are
our primary concerns. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 432-LIPPERT (432-547-7378) or by email at [email protected].
Self-help tips, technical documents, product videos and a training class schedule are available at lippert.com or by downloading the LippertNOW app.
Rev: 09.09.24

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CCD-0003592