After reading past posts on flipping axles and discussing it with the DW, we have decided to go this direction. We (the DW ;) currently has to run along side) have to place 2x12s under the wheels to get our rig over a low spot in our back yard. The spare drags in the gravel which is a good thing as IT protects the black water plumbing but not good for the tire.My question...... as I will be removing bolts from the suspension is there anything else I should need to replace? Some background on that question... this spring I repacked the bearings/adjusted the brakes. In prep, I ordered new seals and had a fresh pile of cotter pins only to find out that lippert uses this weird flat washer with a tang to lock the castle nut (impossible to find in town). Trying to avoid this logistical headache.I would love to replace all the suspension hardware with wet bolts but funding is not in the works (have my own personal sequester going). Are there any commonly replaceable items that will need to be changed out during this process? Just trying to get stuff in hand before work commences. Will be ordering the 3" kit from Dexter and will have plenty of cribbing to support the frame of the trailer.Thank you in advance.Scooter

Unless I'm blanking out, you should not have to remove any of the suspension to flip the axles. Remove the brake drums and then the brake assemblies. You have to cut any brake wires which go into the axle. Then just unbolt the axle u-bolts, and proceed with the "flip".The more I think of it, I guess you just leave the drums on the brakes and take the whole brake assemblies off.If you were to take off the suspension, it would definitely be worth finding the money for the wet bolts. Check around, some places sell the kits a lot cheaper than others, and there is more than one brand of kit. Dexter, Mor-Ryde, etc., but they all sell the same common size. I want to say the last kit I bought was less than $100. Maybe that deal is gone. This does not include a rubber-damped equalizer, that's a bit more money for sure.

If you are not going to replace the bolts with a wet bolt kit, you should at the least replace the plastic bushings in the spring eyes and equalizer hangers. Those things wear out very quickly. Spring bushings. Also take a good look at the shackles as they often have the bolt holes elongated and need replacing. Shackle links and bolts.If you could afford it, now would be the best time to upgrade your suspension using a kit like this one.An even better conversion would be this one. You can see a complete installation by both myself and former TT forum moderator LAdams here.Good luck. :)Barney

Or else just buy DW a gym membership, so she can more easily run alongside and lift that heavy lumber?? ;)

LOL, my fear is that she will one day call it enough and leave me to backing and placing the lumber 8D. Options, that was what I was looking for. Thank you all for the info. Snowman, I will have to take out at least one set of bolts to get the axle on the bottom side of the spring and since I am doing that it would be a good time to inspect and remove all hardware. Barney's info backs that up and shows where to look for parts that need replacing. That $100 kit looks like the ticket. Lippert has all that stuff on their site, but is less than organized in it's display. I tried to figure out what lock washer to buy for my repack and even after talking to their CS, I was just as confused as she was. Pictures are worth a thousand words and Dexter does a good job presenting their product. One last question, being that I have a Lippert axle, is there a problem using the Dexter wet bolt kit as long as the dimensions add up? (bolt and shackle length) Don't want to break some law of the universe (like removing pillow tags).

I have Lippert axles and put on the Dexter wet bolt, and rubber equalizer with no problems. It takes time. Just follow the posts on the sticky and you'll be fine. Once you put on the new bolts, heaver links, and equalizer, you'll wonder how they ever got by with the standard stuff. By product is no creaks and moans as you pull into a campground.

Axle flip question for those who have done it.

scottykrug
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013
no creaks and moans as you pull into a campground

I like the sound (or lack thereof) of that!
Jerry9n
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013
I have Lippert axles and put on the Dexter wet bolt, and rubber equalizer with no problems. It takes time. Just follow the posts on the sticky and you'll be fine. Once you put on the new bolts, heaver links, and equalizer, you'll wonder how they ever got by with the standard stuff. By product is no creaks and moans as you pull into a campground.
scottykrug
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013
LOL, my fear is that she will one day call it enough and leave me to backing and placing the lumber 8D. Options, that was what I was looking for. Thank you all for the info. Snowman, I will have to take out at least one set of bolts to get the axle on the bottom side of the spring and since I am doing that it would be a good time to inspect and remove all hardware. Barney's info backs that up and shows where to look for parts that need replacing. That $100 kit looks like the ticket. Lippert has all that stuff on their site, but is less than organized in it's display. I tried to figure out what lock washer to buy for my repack and even after talking to their CS, I was just as confused as she was. Pictures are worth a thousand words and Dexter does a good job presenting their product.

One last question, being that I have a Lippert axle, is there a problem using the Dexter wet bolt kit as long as the dimensions add up? (bolt and shackle length) Don't want to break some law of the universe (like removing pillow tags).
profdant139
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2013
Or else just buy DW a gym membership, so she can more easily run alongside and lift that heavy lumber?? ;)
BarneyS
Explorer III
Jun 08, 2013
If you are not going to replace the bolts with a wet bolt kit, you should at the least replace the plastic bushings in the spring eyes and equalizer hangers. Those things wear out very quickly. Spring bushings.

Also take a good look at the shackles as they often have the bolt holes elongated and need replacing. Shackle links and bolts.

If you could afford it, now would be the best time to upgrade your suspension using a kit like this one.
An even better conversion would be this one. You can see a complete installation by both myself and former TT forum moderator LAdams here.
Good luck. :)
Barney
Snowman9000
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013
Unless I'm blanking out, you should not have to remove any of the suspension to flip the axles. Remove the brake drums and then the brake assemblies. You have to cut any brake wires which go into the axle. Then just unbolt the axle u-bolts, and proceed with the "flip".

The more I think of it, I guess you just leave the drums on the brakes and take the whole brake assemblies off.

If you were to take off the suspension, it would definitely be worth finding the money for the wet bolts. Check around, some places sell the kits a lot cheaper than others, and there is more than one brand of kit. Dexter, Mor-Ryde, etc., but they all sell the same common size. I want to say the last kit I bought was less than $100. Maybe that deal is gone. This does not include a rubber-damped equalizer, that's a bit more money for sure.

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Axle flip question for those who have done it.

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