Lynnmor wrote:
I found that the shackles are made of cheap steel that is 5mm (.196") thick instead of the designed .250". The bolt holes are punched in rather than drilled or bored resulting in a tapered hole. The taper has very little engagement with the bolt splines so they start to move. The movement will cause rapid wear and a failure like yours will follow. I made my own shackles from .250" thick, heat-treated alloy steel and bored straight holes. I also made the plates a bit wider and longer for more strength. I don't know if the thicker heavy duty parts have straight holes or not, but if they are tapered they too will fail, but take longer. I also added wet bolts and made a special one, that an Equa-Flex like yours would need, because of the split arms at the bottom.
Do you have a fifth wheel or a travel trailer?
Trailer, northwood. One other guy down here changed his 5th our for a MorRyde
http://www.morryde.com/products/90-cre3000-suspension-systemHe has his old worn brackets which would probbaly get me home
or i could just go for:
http://www.morryde.com/products/70-heavy-duty-shackle-upgrade-kit?return=%2Fproduct-category%2F7-running-gear