Get underneath & check

I had a similar problem as yours. I had a shackle break but I found it by looking at the wheels as I do before every departure. My trailer had the 1/4 inch shackles. After I found that problem, I had an ongoing problem for several months due to inept repairmen working on the trailer. After some research on the web, I found that they make the 1/2 inch shackles with wet bolts. I finally had all the shackles replaced with the 1/2 inch shackles with wet bolts. No more problems but I traded that unit and bought another 5th wheel that came equipped with the 1/2 inch wet bolt shackles. You can check this link to see the issues that I had. http://www.thisoldcampsite.com/Myblog/sometimes-when-something-goes-wrong-it-is-for-a-reason/ I called the shackles hangers before I knew they are shackles.

I saved a lot of sweat ant tears, bought a couple pounds of dry ice and put the dry ice in an insulated bag with the bushings, and put it all in the freezer overnight. The ones in the equalizer were easily pressed in with my vice, the spring the ones in the spring eye were a hand press fit, leather gloves worn for all.

Wow I cant beleive how quickly that wore out I have over 30,000 miles on mine in 2 years and its still good but it came with moride from the factory so maybe thats the difference. I check under mine every gas stop and in the mornings when on the road. At 7 feathers casino I noticed that 2 brake wires over the axle had come apart, aparently they must have run out of waterproof connectors when assembling the axles and used 2 regular terminals and those are the ones that rotted out.

Put mine in with a C-Clamp

To press in bushings I just went to local auto parts store and they loan tools free, just have to leave a deposit, so you bring it back. Just get the ball joint press.

grampscamper wrote:
You need to install heavier shackles along with a wet bolt kit. Shame all manufacturers don't install when new.

Most wet bolt kits =come= with heavier shackles. Just sayin'...

Lyle

Tequila wrote:
Noticed this after my trailer did not feel quite right. I drove down a steep mountian road windy & narrow with shear drop-offs yesterday from Guadlajara to melaque. Scary. Here is the picture of the broken side and the other side which is very close to breaking. i am trying to get replacement parts shipped down, if not I will have to see if I canget them machined in Mexico and get me home. I will be replacing this assembly with a MoreRyde of something better quality. The trailr is 2 years old, get underneath and inspect yours!!!!!!

Wow! In only 2 years? Amazing. I =would= question your loading. Given that one side wore considerably faster than the other, you may have some fore/aft loading issues. You should find some scales and see if your axle weights are way different.

Lyle

DonPd wrote:
I installed the wet bolts and then I found this post on how it was done. Wish I had seen this before I did mine. The tips here would have helped me because all the problems were solved here.

Instructions for wet bolt install.

Wow buying a $90 tool just for this job seems excessive to me.
I pressed the bronze bushings into my equalizer with my bench vice a $14 C clamp would have also worked.
The ones in the springs eyes, I bought about $3 worth of Dry Ice and put the bushings on the dry Ice in the freezer!! They slipped right in no issues.

I installed the wet bolts and then I found this post on how it was done. Wish I had seen this before I did mine. The tips here would have helped me because all the problems were solved here.

Instructions for wet bolt install.

windviewer wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

grampscamper wrote:
You need to install heavier shackles along with a wet bolt kit. Shame all manufacturers don't install when new.

X2 just did this upgrade this weekend
Wet Bolts, I got mine for less

Wet Bolts

that link is to an alternative, but i wouldnt call them wet bolts (they require no lubrication). not sure if wet bolts would be even better

My Bad, correct link!
Wet Bolts