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I'm going to put new leaf springs on my boat trailer since the old ones are getting too rusty. I figured I'd coat the new ones with grease since I have a ton of it that never gets used. Opinions?
greasing leaf springs to prevent rust?
- Thread starter The motor guy
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I would use CarWell or Fluid Film to soak in between the leaves. I have started to do that on my boat trailer. You have them not installed so turn them sideways and let the stuff seep down.
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You need something more penetrating than grease.
Nick1994
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Auto Zone sells an aerosol can of Fluid Film, Even here in Phoenix.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
You need something more penetrating than grease.
Greasing leaf springs was a weekly chore on the '23 Chrysler lube schedule.
It works fine unless you are drive/towing in extremely dusty environs. The dust will work into the grease between the leaves and can act a polishing agent. You'll get accelerated wear. But, if not pulling on desert roads, no biggie 
We used to oil and grease the springs on the horse trailers so thet'd ride better and to resist the horse p
We used to oil and grease the springs on the horse trailers so thet'd ride better and to resist the horse p - Joined
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I just see any kind of aerosol spray washing off as soon as it's dunked in the water.
Originally Posted By: redbone3
I wonder if motorcycle chain lube might do for this job?
I think some leaf springs are drilled and have a grease nipple so youy can grease them with a gun from the inside out
You could perhaps get that done if you can find someone who knows what they're doing. DIY or inexpert pro you might risk starting cracks.
Failing that heat the grease to above its melting point and run it in sideways, as suggested above
Or use oil. If concerned about it washing off, use vegetable oil, (though this will eventually set solid) or a blend.
You can get or make spring covers but you probably dont want that on a boat trailer.
Is the trailer dunked in fresh or salt water?CarWell or FF or Krown will not easily wash off. But they will eventually need to be reapplied.
Some British Leyland Sherpas had fibre reinforced plastic spring leafs. Dunno how unique that is but if you could get something similar it'd solve your rust problem.
Corvette transverse, some Mercedes and Audi, apparently
http://www.flex-form.com/products.asp
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: redbone3
I wonder if motorcycle chain lube might do for this job?
Many leaf springs are meant to not have an external lubricate applied. The spring lief themselves are supposed to have a specific friction between them. I once had a vehicle with leaf springs and I jacked up the vehicle and sprayed oil between the leafs. The rear of the vehicle became very soft and was a danger to turn quickly. Ed
I had some leaf springs re-arced on a 36 Ford and at that time they used a graphite grease. Then when the grease washed out the graphite was still left for lube. That place is probably not there anymore. Guess I am old. Memory still works though.
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Auto Zone sells an aerosol can of Fluid Film, Even here in Phoenix.
I thought hey had Teflon shims or moly sheets in between.
Dry moly grease.
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