Loose Shackle Bolts From Factory??? *PICS*

Lynnmor wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
I don`t care if they are shouldered bolts. a suspension with that much slop will roll around on the springs and hangers. My trailer had shoulder bolts, but they were fitted to the size (width) of the spring. and when tightened down there was only about .020 clearance on each side of the spring. the suspension in the picture is not assembled properly. And you can see the angle of the hanger shackles compared to the nuts/bolts. I really can`t believe the number of people that are calling it OK!!!!!

I agree that is way too much slop, and is not OK. As I mentioned before, my trailer came with cheap metric steel shackles. To elaborate on that, it was 5 mm thick steel (.196") but the bolts and springs are sized for 1/4" (.250") thick shackles. The result is .108" excess clearance, that is nearly 1/8 inch and might be what we see here. Cheap junk for sure, but that is the junk they are selling. Note also that the holes in the shackles are punched in and will wear quickly. I made my own.

I found mine worn out from use, not from a poor installation. I also did the Dexter EZ flex with wetbolts and bronze sleeves. I also made note of how thick the new shackles were. The difference in how the trailer handled was astonishing! Just the tighter suspension alone made towing much more pleasant. And the EZ flex Equalizers made you not feel the trailer going over every little dip or crevice in the road. It also got rid of the obnoxious squeaking from the suspension.

Yes, OP, get that fixed ASAP.