Slipper springs .. does this look right ?

[kenny_10]

Hi
Recently a friend purchased a second hand trailer and brought it to me for a once over and at first glance it looked OK..
Starting by pulling on a wheel i found it very loose !!..it has "New wheel bearings" !! my friend was told.
After closer inspection i was stunned to find the previous owner had fitted 16" Land Cruiser wheels onto the existing Holden stub axles !!!
Fortunately he hadn't done a lot of km's and the stubs were fine except for some burrs
I then noticed the fitting of the slipper springs. References show all ends of the spring entering their housing.. why this fellow left one out is worrying me.
Is it meant to be in with the others, or is it fine where it is ?

[DJ’s Timber]

It should be in with the others, most likely backed into a gutter a bit too hard and it popped out.

[KBs PensNmore]

DJ is right in that it should be in like the other, even a bad pothole can do it.
Kryn

[Yonnee]

As DJ & Kryn have confirmed, the third leaf should be inserted in the hanger, although from the looks of it, it hasn't been in there for quite a while. Generally, the third leaf is separated from the other two at the end so that when all three are inserted into the hanger, they are much less likely to rattle in the hanger (particularly when the trailer is empty). While the way it is, is not detrimental to the spring while the trailer is empty, when loaded there will be quite a bit of weight just on the end of that one leaf.