Hi Guys Today I was making a to do list to get the nomad ready for spring.I was inspecting the tires when I realized that I have never inspected the leaf springs.Well they looked ok but they are the 30 year old factory shackles bolts and equalizers.Now I have worked myself up into a paranoia that they are going to fail to the point that I am afraid to move the camper and all work has halted till I figure out what to.I know I should replace them but I am afraid since they are factory they will be rusted solid and not come off.If this really a super hard job?

For something of that vintage, I would think that replace of the parts would likely be needed. Holes in the shackles can wear out and elongate. Bushings could be totally worn out. The spring hanger holes could also be worn out. The equalizer is easy to replace and could be upgraded to Dexter EZ-Flex or Trail-Air Equa-Flex. You could also upgrade to wet bolts. For me, the part that makes me a bit squeamish is the thought of jacking up the TT so that all 4 wheels are off the ground. You want all 4 wheels up so that you can get the bolts aligned and in without difficulty.I would plan on replacing everything and go buy a complete kit of your choosing beforehand. The only thing you won't know in advance is the condition of the spring hangers. While you're under there, it'd also be a good opportunity to check out everything else - brakes, bearings, axles, frame, etc....FWIW, I have a complete Dexter kit to install and a frame shop quoted me just $200 to install it and I think I'd rather have a shop to do it for that price. The Dexter EZ-Flex install sticky on this forum will give you an idea of what's involved.

I recently replaced all springs and equalizers on my 2 axle 5th wheel. I bought the ez-flex kits, new springs and all the hardware from a local Dexter supplier. I was able to do the work by myself on a Saturday. The instructions in the kit plus some internet research provided me with a step by step to doing the work. You'll need 2-3 jack stands and 2-3 floor jacks or combination of bottle jack and floor jacks. A second person would be helpful.I was quoted $300 for labor. It was easier for me to do it because one of the old leaf springs was broken and I would have had to chain it up to drive 30 miles to get it repaired.

But, yes they can be god awful stuck. If there is a grove wore in the bolt it will not come out of the hole. You may need to torch off the bolt to get it out. Or, you may just need to heat the bolt with the torch to break the rust loose. Or, they may come right out. Depends on how lucky of a person you are.

It is not a super hard job IF you do not have rusted parts as mentioned earlier. I think if it were me I would purchase one of the suspension kits which includes equalizers, wet bolts, bronze bushings, and heavy shackles like that are linked in this thread.I would probably have them installed by a good shop instead of doing it myself as posted on page 4 of that thread. BarneyEdit: Some of the links in that thread no longer work. Here is an excellent price for the Dexter EZ Flex kit and is where I purchased mine.

Even better than that is this one which has free shipping.Finditparts.com The Dexter kit sure is really nice quality and heavy duty and it's the only one to use compared to anything else....BarneyS wrote: Here is an excellent price for the Dexter EZ Flex kit and is where I purchased mine.

Old leaf spring equalizers have me paranoid | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

myredracer
Explorer II
Mar 07, 2014
For something of that vintage, I would think that replace of the parts would likely be needed. Holes in the shackles can wear out and elongate. Bushings could be totally worn out. The spring hanger holes could also be worn out. The equalizer is easy to replace and could be upgraded to Dexter EZ-Flex or Trail-Air Equa-Flex. You could also upgrade to wet bolts. For me, the part that makes me a bit squeamish is the thought of jacking up the TT so that all 4 wheels are off the ground. You want all 4 wheels up so that you can get the bolts aligned and in without difficulty.

I would plan on replacing everything and go buy a complete kit of your choosing beforehand. The only thing you won't know in advance is the condition of the spring hangers. While you're under there, it'd also be a good opportunity to check out everything else - brakes, bearings, axles, frame, etc....

FWIW, I have a complete Dexter kit to install and a frame shop quoted me just $200 to install it and I think I'd rather have a shop to do it for that price.

The Dexter EZ-Flex install sticky on this forum will give you an idea of what's involved.

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Old leaf spring equalizers have me paranoid

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