Bolts Failing on Equalizer Hitch
I have an Equalizer Hitch with 1400 lb bars. Today I replaced the third pair of bolts and nuts that attach the head to the shank They are grade 8, 3/4" in diameter and 5" long. The threads failed on t...
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SoundGuy wrote:Simple fix for me. DW bought me a 3/4" drive torque wrench. I promptly semi retired my 1/2" drive wrenches. Torquing the wheels on my dually is sooo much easier now.jerem0621 wrote:
Time for a new tool! 600 lb ft Tq Wrench!
:)
Therein lies the rub and is why I'll probably not own another Equal-i-zer again. Unfortunate, because the EQ performs well once properly adjusted but it took me at least a half dozen tries to get mine properly set up, the problem being that because head angle is set by head washers those darned shank bolts had to be loosened, removed, and retorqued each time, and for that I required a torque wrench capable of 320 ft-lbs, a tool I didn't own but had to borrow from a friend each time. I later changed tow vehicles and had to go through the entire process all over again ... sure was a PITA, 'though once properly set up it did always perform well, albeit with a fair amount of noise. Now that other systems are available that also perform well but which don't use washers to set the head angle or those like the Blue Ox Sway Pro that have a fixed head and don't require the use of a torque wrench I don't own it I doubt I'd ever buy another Equal-i-zer.
Not to mention the stares I get from the neighbors when they see me out in the the drive with that massive tool.
