I just picked up a new smaller 2016 Forest River Salem TT. I picked it up as a second trailer because my 36 foot Grand Junction 5ver won't fit in many of our old favorite campsites.The TT has Lippert suspension. My question is, does Lippert use their newer Never Fail Bushings on all their OEM spring shackle systems now from the factory? Or do they still use the old "gone in 3000 mile" junk. There are no zerk fittings so I know its not a wet system. I went into the Lippert website and sent that question to Lippert customer service but have not received an answer yet.

As of 2015, it's the white ones that wear out...

dcg9381 wrote:As of 2015, it's the white ones that wear out...Don't quite understand. Please explain.

Is never fail bushings like never lube bearings?

No, the OP is referring to the replacement bushings that go in the spring ends, rather than a regular bronze/brass bushing.

fj12ryder wrote:No, the OP is referring to the replacement bushings that go in the spring ends, rather than a regular bronze/brass bushing.Ya, that was supposed to be a bit of a joke. Guess not.

Lippert Never Fail Bushings Is Lippert Using Them At Factory

39 Replies

TucsonJim
Explorer II
May 12, 2016
minnow wrote:
buc1980 wrote:
So the Never-fail bushing don't need grease.Anybody who have them can confirm that?

Go to the LCI site and you can see that LCI states the bushings don't need lube.

In fact, you should never lubricate modified polyamide bushings. Hydrocarbon and synthetic based lubricants break down polyamide and cause premature wear. Put them in dry, and they will last much longer than even properly lubricated nylon or bronze bushings.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
May 12, 2016
^^^^^^^^^^Yeah, but they may have said the same thing about the original "bushings". :)
minnow
Explorer
May 12, 2016
buc1980 wrote:
So the Never-fail bushing don't need grease.Anybody who have them can confirm that?

Go to the LCI site and you can see that LCI states the bushings don't need lube.
Charlie_D_
Explorer
May 12, 2016
If you are getting wet bolts go ahead and get the entire package. It includes the EZ Flex
rhagfo
Explorer III
May 11, 2016
TucsonJim wrote:
I was noticing some odd noises from my suspension and tore in to it today. Good old self destructing Lippert nylon bushings. This is on a two year old FW. I just ordered the Lippert Never Fail bushing kit which includes bushings, bolts, nuts and shackles. I'll check it out again next year to see how it's wearing.

Jim

Really should get the wet bolts kit for a few dollars more, Heavy duty shackles and wet bolts and bronze bushings!!

Do you really want these thin shackles supporting your trailer???? Please notice most of the holes are no longer round!!!
Charlie_D_
Explorer
May 11, 2016
Lynnmor wrote:
tinner12002 wrote:

Lynnmor, on the Dexter kit I just purchased they show installing the bolts so the grease holes are on the sides of the bolts or horizontal so that should have prevented the issue your having getting the bolts to take grease.

Yes you can pump grease into the zerk and right out the ends thru the clearance. The tight side, where the grease is needed, will not get anything. They make product to sell, and they didn't want complaints about greasing problems.

The hole in the bolt should be opposite the pressure point so the comment made by tinner 2002 is correct. Anyone installing the wet bolts should try to inject grease through the bolt before installing. There has been reports of holes not drilled deep enough for grease to come out. The idea of making a figure 8 or other grease channel is a good idea.
buc1980
Explorer
May 11, 2016
So the Never-fail bushing don't need grease.Anybody who have them can confirm that?
minnow
Explorer
May 11, 2016
There are two ways to go; wet bolts or the Never Lube kit. The Never Lube Lippert kit uses the regular bolts but the special bushings don't need any lubrication(according to Lippert). The wet bolt kits from Mor-Ryde, Dexter, Lippert use brass bushings and greaseable bolts. Most of the RV's on the road today with Lippert supplied suspensions have plastic/nylon bushings. Lippert claims that these do not need greasing even though some suspensions are supplied by Lippert with the nylon bushings and greaseable bolts.
TucsonJim
Explorer II
May 10, 2016
Lynnmor wrote:
All brands use the same type of nylon bushings. You got two years out of them, that is an amazing long life.

If you polish the new bolts before installing the Never-Fail bushings, that should reduce wear from the start.

That's a great tip! It makes sense. Thanks much.

Jim
Lynnmor
Explorer II
May 10, 2016
All brands use the same type of nylon bushings. You got two years out of them, that is an amazing long life.

If you polish the new bolts before installing the Never-Fail bushings, that should reduce wear from the start.