Equalizer maintenance (Not the hitch!)

[jerem0621]

The axle equalizer on my trailer does not have grease-able fittings. It from Circa 1994 and I am starting to think it may be worth the effort to replace them.

Has anyone done this before? How likely is this part to fail? Is this a driveway job or should I pay a trailer shop to handle this?

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[jerem0621]

JJBIRISH wrote:
A 94 is almost certain to have the bushings wore out completely and the bolt holes will be egg shaped as well as the bolts themselves be worn out on the equalizer and the hangers… sometimes the old ones are so worn it’s scary to think you were depending on them… wet bolts are definitely the way to go…

This is after only about 3000 miles and 6 months the equalizer is cracked and worn… dare I even mention where the equlizer was made...





Cracked and worn equlizer


Worn hanger


Standard bushing…

JJ, those pics are scary. I think I am going to go out an take some pics of my equalizers and do a thorough investigation, maybe start looking into replacing them. The trailer rides nice as it is.

Is there any benefit to go with a different kind of Equalizer? this one has done Ok for about 19 years 🙂

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[JJBIRISH]

A 94 is almost certain to have the bushings wore out completely and the bolt holes will be egg shaped as well as the bolts themselves be worn out on the equalizer and the hangers… sometimes the old ones are so worn it’s scary to think you were depending on them… wet bolts are definitely the way to go…

This is after only about 3000 miles and 6 months the equalizer is cracked and worn… dare I even mention where the equlizer was made...





Cracked and worn equlizer


Worn hanger


Standard bushing…

[buzzard616]

Lots of people have replaced theirs with the grease-able type. Once installed, being grease-able, they should last longer. See if yours have any play to them; if not, no rush.

Some people have gone so far as to use rubberized ones although I'm not sure who's supposed to benefit from the supposedly gentler ride. They don't make your truck into a Cadillac.

Whether to do it yourself or not depends on you. It's not a complex job but caution is required. This video takes you through the process. Hopefully your trailer is not so beat up you need to use a torch.

Stu