Forum Discussion

kep5niner's avatar
kep5niner
Explorer
May 25, 2017

Dexter EZ Flex install

I completed the installation of the Dexter EZ Flex rubber suspension system, as well as the wet bolts, this past weekend. My hopes were to eliminate all of the snapping / popping at low speeds, increase longevity of the suspension, replace the OEM junk plastic bushings, and smooth out the ride.

I did not capture the installation in a write-up, as there is plenty of information on this forum and elsewhere on the web. It was rather straight-forward, and the installation went without any issues.

On the short trip (to include highway travel) back to storage, the difference and improvement was immediately felt. Taking the rig on a 3-hour trek this weekend, and looking forward to the improved ride and handling.

No real question or issue as the point of this thread, just thought I would report back with my findings and that if there is anyone on the fence considering this upgrade, it definitely seems worthwhile!
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    May 25, 2017
    IMO this is one of the best improvements for the money spent. I was amazed at how differently, i.e. better, the ride was. Excellent bang for the buck.
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    May 25, 2017
    I did the same install a couple years ago. All good. Never looked back. My original OEM bushings were some kind of plastic. You got to be kidding????
  • kep5niner's avatar
    kep5niner
    Explorer
    May 25, 2017
    jmtandem wrote:
    I did the same install a couple years ago. All good. Never looked back. My original OEM bushings were some kind of plastic. You got to be kidding????


    I couldn't agree more! Now I've already logged about 4,000 miles on this new trailer in the past year, but the plastic "bushings" (I use that term loosely) were toast - effectively providing no friction reduction / mitigation for the leaf springs. I'm certain failure was imminent.
  • NMDriver's avatar
    NMDriver
    Explorer
    May 25, 2017
    Not saying it is not worth doing but I have had the plastic bushings for 25 years and no issues. I did replace the old plastic with new ones about 10 years ago when I flipped the axles. The 15 year old bushings still looked fine if somewhat off color. They were no longer white.

    Anyway, glad you are happy with your upgrade. I have considered replacing hanger bolts to get the wet ones but the ones from the flip are still fine so I guess I will just keep them.
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    May 25, 2017
    FWIW when I replaced the plastic/nylon "bushings" on my toyhauler, they were worn to nothing in several places and might have lasted another couple thousand miles before they were toast. I installed the EZ Flex kit with about 3,000 miles on the trailer.
  • Puddles's avatar
    Puddles
    Explorer
    May 26, 2017
    NMDriver wrote:
    Not saying it is not worth doing but I have had the plastic bushings for 25 years and no issues. I did replace the old plastic with new ones about 10 years ago when I flipped the axles. The 15 year old bushings still looked fine if somewhat off color. They were no longer white.

    Anyway, glad you are happy with your upgrade. I have considered replacing hanger bolts to get the wet ones but the ones from the flip are still fine so I guess I will just keep them.

    Man, feel like you're one in a million... 5 years, the plastic bushings had failed, let the bolts egg shape the spring hanger holes... one hole was close to being clear thru the hanger. Please keep a periodic inspection on them. :)
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    May 26, 2017
    ^^^Not to disagree that the nylon/plastic "bushings" are less than useless, but the design of most trailer "suspensions" is pitiful. From what I've seen most bolts will start to wear out the hangers eventually. It's just a very poor design.

    The installation of the wet bolt kit totally reworks the way the bolts and bushings interact. It becomes a decent working system.
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    May 26, 2017
    The installation of the wet bolt kit totally reworks the way the bolts and bushings interact. It becomes a decent working system.


    And to think all of this kit including the wet bolts could have been installed at the factory adding a couple dollars to the cost. Building stuff that is starting to fail (plastic bushings) in 3000-4000 miles is just ridiculous. I changed mine out at around 3500 miles and the plastic bushings were already showing major wear.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    May 26, 2017
    jmtandem wrote:
    The installation of the wet bolt kit totally reworks the way the bolts and bushings interact. It becomes a decent working system.


    And to think all of this kit including the wet bolts could have been installed at the factory adding a couple dollars to the cost. Building stuff that is starting to fail (plastic bushings) in 3000-4000 miles is just ridiculous. I changed mine out at around 3500 miles and the plastic bushings were already showing major wear.


    Not only the extra parts cost, there is the extra labor to press in the bronze bushings.

    When you are talking a couple bucks on 1,000's of units it makes a big change on the bottom line.
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    May 26, 2017
    rhagfo wrote:
    jmtandem wrote:
    The installation of the wet bolt kit totally reworks the way the bolts and bushings interact. It becomes a decent working system.


    And to think all of this kit including the wet bolts could have been installed at the factory adding a couple dollars to the cost. Building stuff that is starting to fail (plastic bushings) in 3000-4000 miles is just ridiculous. I changed mine out at around 3500 miles and the plastic bushings were already showing major wear.


    Not only the extra parts cost, there is the extra labor to press in the bronze bushings.

    When you are talking a couple bucks on 1,000's of units it makes a big change on the bottom line.
    But suppose you add in the cost, plus 2 percent. What does that add to the overall cost of the unit? Maybe $200 to a $50,000 trailer? And the profit would be the same. Heck, people add $2000 worth of disc brakes after they've already paid big bucks. I doubt that $200 would even cause a hiccup, especially since they wouldn't even know about if they weren't told. Except they might pay $50,200 rather than $50,000. Plus it makes a great selling point if they marketed it right: decreased maintenance, and increased reliability.

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