Forum Discussion

Don_A_L's avatar
Don_A_L
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017

Shackle straps?

Hi

I was doing some maintenance on my 2014 DRV Tradition, 28,000 miles on it, and found both straps broken on the LH rear axle and one broken on the RH front axle.

We just got back from a 3300 mile trip from Minnesota to Maine and back!
I wish I could say when they broke. I check tires at every stop and did a full inspection before I left on the trip. The axles are 7000 lb. Trailair Equa flex by the way.

My question is what's the best replacement for the straps? Are wet bolts a good addition as long as the straps are being replaced?
I'm not sure if I want to tackle it myself and given one spring eye would be sitting on the frame. I will have to get a mobile repair service to come to my house.

I think we dodged a potential bad one.

Thanks
Don

8 Replies

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  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Aug 13, 2017
    Not only are they twice as thick, but they are bolted together as a unit so the shackles are locked to the bolts, and the bolts rotate in the brass bushings.
  • tinner12002's avatar
    tinner12002
    Explorer
    Aug 13, 2017
    BarneyS wrote:
    Don,
    I would suggest you go with a heavy duty kit like this one from Dexter. Or something similar.

    I have the EZ Flex kit which includes the heavy duty shackles and wet bolts in the kit.
    Barney


    I also have very similar kit from Dexter and the shackles are twice as thick as stock shackles, very heavy duty!! Highly recommend them!
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Aug 13, 2017
    Don A L wrote:
    The two metal straps or plates that connect the front spring eye to the center equalizer.
    So they are a wear item on trailers? Definitely will go with heavy duty and wet bolts.

    Don
    If you change to the Dexter EZ Flex and wet bolt kit, the shackle straps will not be wear items. The EZ Flex and wet bolt kit is the way trailers should come from the factory.
  • minnow's avatar
    minnow
    Explorer
    Aug 13, 2017
    What you are referring to are shackle straps. Yes they are a wear item and generally RV suspensions come from the factory with straps that are 1/2 the thickness than replacement straps available from Mor Ryde. You should also replace the bolts with greasable bolts(refered to as wet bolts) as well as brass bushings. The bushings found on original equipment suspensions are plastic and wear out very quickly which causes the straps to fail. Google MorRyde suspension parts and you'll see what I'm talking about. You can buy everything in a kit.
  • Don_A_L's avatar
    Don_A_L
    Explorer
    Aug 12, 2017
    The two metal straps or plates that connect the front spring eye to the center equalizer.
    So they are a wear item on trailers? Definitely will go with heavy duty and wet bolts.

    Don
  • ACZL's avatar
    ACZL
    Explorer
    Aug 12, 2017
    Was everything original? If so, you surely got lucky you got this far. Like Don said, are you referring to the hangers or shackles? Hangers welded to frame. Shackles attach spring to to hangers? If no wet bolt kit, I certainly would go with one as you'll get beefier shackles, bronze bushings and the greaseable bolts. Not an overly hard job to do, but will take a a couple -few hours. I replaced the stock junk on our '18 Big Country couple months after we got it with a wet bolt kit. Love it.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Aug 12, 2017
    By shackle straps are you referring to spring hangers? New neavy duty hangers are the only way,to go. While your at it, a total wet bolt kit, and maybe a air bag equalizer to go with everything else. Heck might as well make it ride smoother while doing everything else.

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