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Old 02-10-2015, 01:20 PM   #1
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Changing the shackles oneself

Its soon time to get the TT out of storage. One thing I do every year is pick a project I want to upgrade/repair. This year I want to replace the shackle links(?), bolts and equalizer to the TT suspension. I can't see anything wrong with them, but I suspect they're original...I know I never replaced them in 9 years. I'm able to fix about anything, but sometimes its best to leave things to a pro. It seems to be a one day job.

So, has anyone done this themselves? Would you do it again? And, any tips or suggestions? How about lifting the TT off the ground? One side at a time?
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Old 02-10-2015, 01:32 PM   #2
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I've done this.
Not a real tough job at all.
Do one shackle at a time and make sure you get a "wet" kit that is grease-able. You'll need a floor jack and possibly a bottle jack to align as you go.

Good luck!
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Old 02-10-2015, 03:09 PM   #3
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Wet bolts are on the list. Did you lift the whole camper?
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Old 02-10-2015, 03:19 PM   #4
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Nope just one side at a time.
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Old 02-10-2015, 04:05 PM   #5
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Good! Although I have 2 floor jacks, 3 different sizes of bottle jacks and a slew of Jack stands, I really didn't want to lift the whole camper up at once. I see a bent frame happening there.

I've been wondering about using the Dexter kits. Is it really worth it on an old TT? We travel on rough roads often. Their kits should have anything I need for a complete job.
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Old 02-10-2015, 04:07 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RPAspey View Post
Good! Although I have 2 floor jacks, 3 different sizes of bottle jacks and a slew of Jack stands, I really didn't want to lift the whole camper up at once. I see a bent frame happening there.

I've been wondering about using the Dexter kits. Is it really worth it on an old TT? We travel on rough roads often. Their kits should have anything I need for a complete job.
As long as it's a wet kit you'll be fine!
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Old 02-10-2015, 04:12 PM   #7
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What's a Dexter kit? We travel on rough roads frequently too, though we haven't had any trouble since we had our Rockwood HW276 lifted after severely injuring one of the stab jacks, luckily on the way home.
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Old 02-10-2015, 05:07 PM   #8
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What's a Dexter kit? We travel on rough roads frequently too, though we haven't had any trouble since we had our Rockwood HW276 lifted after severely injuring one of the stab jacks, luckily on the way home.
Dexter is a axle manufacturer.
A dexter kit would be a kit they supply.
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Old 02-10-2015, 07:30 PM   #9
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Check out etrailer.com for parts. Very good pricing.

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Old 02-10-2015, 07:38 PM   #10
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Etrailer also has good videos on trailer maintenance.

Review on the Dexter axles are mixed. All said there was some improvements but some said the improvements were minimal. I'm going to get a price comparison together then determine if its worth it. If not much of a $ difference why not. But I'd like to hear others opinions first.

Edit: I'm referring to the Dexter Easy-Flex system vs stock.
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Old 02-10-2015, 11:00 PM   #11
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I just ordered the Dexter E-Z Flex system with wetbolt kit and shackles for my trailer. I ordered from Nicks Truck Parts, good price too! K71-652-00 -COMPLETE E-Z FLEX SUSPENSION KIT - TANDEM 33" AXLE

All of the reviews I`ve read say they offer a great improvement. most say you don`t feel the jolts from the trailer as it goes over a bump.
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Old 03-14-2015, 05:42 PM   #12
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Just replaced springs and equalizers and all shackle hardware this week. Ideally I think you should lift one side up with Jacks on both in front and behind axles and put on jack stands. Then use 2 Jacks to support axles when removing hardware. If replacing springs, saw off ubolts. DO NOT try to unscrew ubolts. Mine were 20 years old. Rest of bolts were no problem. Wd40 ahead of time.
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Old 03-14-2015, 05:48 PM   #13
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OK I know this is going to sound like a dumb question but what is a wet kit?
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Old 03-14-2015, 06:01 PM   #14
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A bolt with a small hole from one end with grease fitting on it and a side hole in center for grease.
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Old 03-14-2015, 07:15 PM   #15
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Replace the bolts with wet bolts and replace the bushings in the spring ends as well. On a previous 5th wheel I had the axles removed by a spring shop to adjust the camber. Trailer was lightly used (no dirt roads) and only 2 years old. The nylon/plastic bushings were shot in almost all the spring eyes. I strongly recommend the wet bolts and bushings on all trailers based on my experience.
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Old 03-14-2015, 09:26 PM   #16
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I didn't think of lubing up the bolts early. I think I'll be pulling the TT out of storage after next weekend so I may give the bolts a shot of PB Blaster this weekend and next week. Thanks.
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Old 03-30-2015, 03:11 PM   #17
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Well it's done. I went out a week previous and gave all the nuts a shot of lubrication. Took her home and went to town.
Wasn't a bad job. I read some on line posts how to do it so I felt comfortable. Took about 7 hours total including adjusting a couple wheel bearings and clean up. Couldn't believe my ears during the 10 mile test drive....no squeaking!! It was an "almost silent" ride. I can't say I noticed a difference in the pulling or bouncing though. I'm glad I did it as a few shackle links were badly worn oblong. All the nylon inserts were worn through but no spring or shackle damage. As far as I know the parts were original too. Only gripe was the lack of grease fitting caps to keep the road dirt and grit out. I had to order those from a industrial supply house. I did buy a new grease gun too..just because.
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Old 04-30-2015, 08:36 PM   #18
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How many miles did and how old was the trailer to cause that kind of wear?
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Old 05-01-2015, 07:33 AM   #19
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I bought my 2000 TT used in '06. The couple I bought it from claimed to put 2000-2500 miles a year on it. We've put anywhere from 2500-3500 miles a year on it. So without accurate records in front of me (I keep a journal but the others didn't) I cant be sure. But at 2500 a year, thats at least 37,500 miles.

Another thing to note, I don't know if the shackles are original. I do know they weren't upgraded.
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Old 05-01-2015, 01:43 PM   #20
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Quote:
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How many miles did and how old was the trailer to cause that kind of wear?
As noted in my post, my trailer was 2 years old with less than 10,000 miles on it. I was amazed at the terrible condition of the nylon bushings on such a new trailer.
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