Shackle bushings

[SDM]

On the average do bronze shackle bushings last. I have a fiver that weighs 14500# when traveling. I grease the shackle bolts 2 to 3 times a year and before every big trip.

[h2guy]

fj12ryder wrote:
IMO that was a mistake was using a wrench to pull the bolt through the hanger rather than driving them through.

Not when you're holding the hex headed bolt steady with a box wrench.

[fj12ryder]

IMO that was a mistake was using a wrench to pull the bolt through the hanger rather than driving them through. All it takes is just a small amount of rotation to start the hole eroding. The weight of the trailer should have no effect on the hanger bolts. The bolts simply shouldn't turn in the hangers.

Granted I only have about 10,000 miles on my 15,000 lb. 5er but I've seen no evidence of elongation of the hanger bolt holes.

[h2guy]

fj12ryder wrote:

h2guy wrote:

B.O. Plenty wrote:

h2guy wrote:
I don't see where wet bolt kits will prevent your spring hangars from "ovaling" or becoming elongated.

Spring eyes will last, but not the hangars.

Got extremely tired of messing with them and had the "IS" system installed.

The bolts are serrated right next the head. If they are pressed in when they are installed as they are supposed to be, they are then locked into place and cannot rotate in the hangers. All movement from the springs or shackles will take place on the bushings, not the hangers..

B.O.

When delivered to me, Carriage (or frame mfgr) did have serrated shoulder bolts installed. Hangars wore out anyway.

If so, then someone screwed up somewhere when installing/replacing them by allowing the bolts to spin in the hangers. The bolts won't move in the hangers if they are installed correctly, that's why they are serrated. If they aren't secured with a wrench when the nut is tightened they can spin in the hangers, which will result in movement and elongating the hole in the hanger. Sounds like someone was in a hurry and just used an air impact and the bolt spun.

The first time, I had the elongated hangars cut off and new hangars welded on. I installed serrated should bolts, as prescribed, and really had to tug on the socket handle to get the shoulder through the hole in the hangar. It was tight.

Nonetheless, 31,522 miles later they were elongated. Now this is on a 14,980 lb 5ver. Maybe on a lighter trailer without a 7 layer spring pack, they last longer but on a heavy trailer, they will elongated.

Trailer now has 193,445 on its wheels, 141,556 miles since converting to the IS system and no more problems.

[Gib3633]

IS suspension is shown on the Mor/yde web site. It is quite deluxe allowing 5 inches of up and down travel , no axles to bend and the ability to do proper alignments without bending anything. It has two large rubber blocks between the fixed arm and the moveable arm and is also equipped with shock absorbers. It is quite standard on mobile suite and not even offered as an option by Keystone Montana. I put this suspension and disc brakes on our Montana. I personally will never buy another heavy unit that doesn't offer these two features. It just isn't right in my opinion to buy axles and brakes to scrap to have a proper set up that should have been there in the first place. A $6000.00 upgrade would probably be $3500.00 at manufacturing time. It's great but comes with a price tag. 15,ooo lbs is to heavy for wet bolt system in my opinion and speaking from personal experience . Good Luck

[Allworth]

IS = Independent Suspension. A tortion bar on each wheel.

[fj12ryder]

h2guy wrote:

B.O. Plenty wrote:

h2guy wrote:
I don't see where wet bolt kits will prevent your spring hangars from "ovaling" or becoming elongated.

Spring eyes will last, but not the hangars.

Got extremely tired of messing with them and had the "IS" system installed.

The bolts are serrated right next the head. If they are pressed in when they are installed as they are supposed to be, they are then locked into place and cannot rotate in the hangers. All movement from the springs or shackles will take place on the bushings, not the hangers..

B.O.

When delivered to me, Carriage (or frame mfgr) did have serrated shoulder bolts installed. Hangars wore out anyway.

If so, then someone screwed up somewhere when installing/replacing them by allowing the bolts to spin in the hangers. The bolts won't move in the hangers if they are installed correctly, that's why they are serrated. If they aren't secured with a wrench when the nut is tightened they can spin in the hangers, which will result in movement and elongating the hole in the hanger. Sounds like someone was in a hurry and just used an air impact and the bolt spun.

[larry_barnhart]

IS should be a mor/ryde system.
chevman

[Alpenliter]

Ok, I give. What is "IS"?

[h2guy]

B.O. Plenty wrote:

h2guy wrote:
I don't see where wet bolt kits will prevent your spring hangars from "ovaling" or becoming elongated.

Spring eyes will last, but not the hangars.

Got extremely tired of messing with them and had the "IS" system installed.

The bolts are serrated right next the head. If they are pressed in when they are installed as they are supposed to be, they are then locked into place and cannot rotate in the hangers. All movement from the springs or shackles will take place on the bushings, not the hangers..

B.O.

When delivered to me, Carriage (or frame mfgr) did have serrated shoulder bolts installed. Hangars wore out anyway.

[Gib3633]

Wet bolt is an improvement:
IS suspension is a huge improvement:

[B_O__Plenty]

h2guy wrote:
I don't see where wet bolt kits will prevent your spring hangars from "ovaling" or becoming elongated.

Spring eyes will last, but not the hangars.

Got extremely tired of messing with them and had the "IS" system installed.

The bolts are serrated right next the head. If they are pressed in when they are installed as they are supposed to be, they are then locked into place and cannot rotate in the hangers. All movement from the springs or shackles will take place on the bushings, not the hangers..

B.O.

[h2guy]

I don't see where wet bolt kits will prevent your spring hangars from "ovaling" or becoming elongated.

Spring eyes will last, but not the hangars.

Got extremely tired of messing with them and had the "IS" system installed.

[Old-Biscuit]

Better than the plastic bushings a lot of trailers have.

Wet bolt kit is a big improvement.

[Allworth]

Figure 50-60,000 miles. (True trailer miles.)