Alko springs question...Help please!

[Pling]

Gday all,

I am currently replacing my bent axle in the camper today and have noticed that the Alko springs have quite a bit of movement in the shackle area.

The trailer only has around 6000kms on it so Im guessing this is normalthere should be play here can anyone verify this before I go any further.

[Joff]

How long has the axle been bent and is it bent between the springs? A bent axle will wear out shackle bushes quick smart. The other issue is that not everyone who welds hangers on put a lot of care in getting them square. That also wears out shackle bushes.

The good news is that they are cheap and dead simple to replace.

Do it now while you are doing the springs.

[Pling]

 Sorry I should have been a bit more precise... stub axle was bent when I lost a wheel on last trip.

Trailer is pretty much brand new but without axle attached when I grab the spring there is movement in the shackle hangers?

[chriso57]

Cant comment directly about Alko but I noticed the same thing with my springs when I recently built my CT.
I spoke to my Brother In Law who built traiolers for a living for years and he said this was normal. I am talking about 5-6mm gap between the hangers and the edge of the springs. Prior to bolting the axle up you could wiggle the springs side to side.

Totally unheard of with car suspension but seems OK with trailers I guess.

Chriso

[dazzler]

Does it go away when greased?

[Pling]

I have never noticed it before I removed the axle and have kept grease up to it. I pulled it apart and inspected the bushes and pins and they are not worn at all however when undoing the lock nuts they were not overly tight and there was wear on the inside of the shackle plate, once nipped up there is minimal movement, any one have any Ideas on how tight the shackle pin lock nuts should be?

[GeeTee]

There should be no excess or uncontrolled movement