Wet Bolts Voltage 3950

[Moto4play]

I have seen the posts about replacing the bushings with "Never Fail Bushings" but I am not finding much about going to wet bolts.

I want to replace all 22 bolts with wet bolts and heavier shackles. I also want to replace the bolts in the Equa-flex system as well, I think it's an additional 10 bolts. Not sure what size they are and not finding any specifics. Really would like to order them before I start tearing it apart.

Has anyone gone this route? I think I located the kit needed on LCI website but this does not include the Equa-Flex bolts. Any info would be appreciated!

HD Triple Ap Kit; 3 1/8'' X Doubled Up Links; Grs Bolts; No Eq – Lippert Components, Inc Online Store

[donzinger]

^ x2

[DesertRat]

Here is another place to look. I've had great luck with these folks.
Trailer Suspension Accessories and Parts | etrailer.com

[Moto4play]

Okay, I have been emailing back and forth with LCI Components today and this is what they said.

This is the kit needed to replace the bolts and shackles 160951 cost $107.24

For the Bolts part # 126238 x8 $3.85 each. And nuts part # 122103 x8 $3.85 each. For the Equa flex itself.

Seems odd the bolts are the same cost as the nut but that's straight from the rep!

With this being said, not sure why you would choose the Never Fail bushing unless its just not wanting to maintain the grease yearly.

No Fail bushings are $105 for the 22 needed and you still need the additional 8 bolts for the Equa-Flex system.

[Nana & Poppy]

Thanks for reporting back......that is what makes this forum great - one person helping another!!!!

[Moto4play]

Just ordered mine and the total came out to $157.29 with shipping. Wet Bolts and Nuts were a little less than what they specified.

[Thom]

Ok, time to educate the new kid, exactly what would installing these do or fix?

[Texmac]

I went with the NeverFail bushings. I replaced the shackle bolts at the same time. My trailer only had around 5,000 miles on it (14 months of use) at the time. Several of the origanel bushings were completely worn through with the bolts showing some wear. I will pull and check a couple of the NeverFails this next spring to see how they are wearing. I went with the Never Fail bushings to try and cut down on maintenance--grease just holds dirt😃

[Moto4play]

Originally Posted by Thom

Ok, time to educate the new kid, exactly what would installing these do or fix?

Whether you use wet bolts or Never Fail bushings, you need to check and most likely replace the cheap plastic bushings the Manufactures are using. Most are finding damage in as little as 1000 miles. If you do not catch it before it starts wearing the metal, it becomes very expensive!

I will post pics as to how mine look, I should be pulling them today if its not too cold out.

[Moto4play]

Here is the difference between the old bolts and the new Wet bolts. There is a difference in the length and thickness of the shackle. You can see where heat has started affecting the original bushing.

LCI did leave out that I will need to have new Bronze bushings when installing this kit unless you intend on leaving the nylon bushings. I have had to stop and order 12 new Bronze bushings. The Equalizers have Bronze bushings already installed and they are in good shape. Only need to replace the ones on the Leaf Springs.

Now I hurry up and wait!!

[Thom]

Thanks for the education.

Now I just need to pick up my 3950! I am sure alot more education will be needed once I can get over and pick it up.

[Moto4play]

Well, I was wrong. The new shackles are doubled and they supplied longer bolts. Big difference!!

[lakebuster]

Confused on what you where wrong about? Are you saying if you order the wet bolts you do not need the bushing also?

[Moto4play]

Originally Posted by lakebuster

Confused on what you where wrong about? Are you saying if you order the wet bolts you do not need the bushing also?

Sorry, the Pictures I posted earlier with comparing the old to the new. The shackles are doubled, thought they were only a single shackle on either side. See the last pic posted comparing old and new. Still need bushings and waiting.

[calewjohnson]

Are you able to replace these one wheel at a time with weight removed from the suspension, or are you up on jack stands with wheels off? If I can do this a wheel at a time, this might make for a good weekend projects....

Cale

[Moto4play]

Originally Posted by calewjohnson

Are you able to replace these one wheel at a time with weight removed from the suspension, or are you up on jack stands with wheels off? If I can do this a wheel at a time, this might make for a good weekend projects....

Cale

So far I am. I have removed one wheel and can do most of it like that, lifted wheels off the ground and then brought the trailer down to rest the axel on a jack stand. Only did it this way to verify everything was good to go with what I had. Next weekend I will pull all three wheels and set each axel on its own jack stand. With the longer shackles I will need to move the trailer up and down to align.

The only point I am really worried about is the top bolt of the equal-flex system but with both axels supported I should be good to go.

If I were to do this over I think I would have bought 12 never fail bushings (instead of the 22 they call for) replace all the actual leaf spring connection bushings. This seems to be where they used the nylon bushings. Also replace the bolts at the same time. I would use Wet Bolts at ALL the Equa-Flex connections, 5 wet bolts at each one, needing 20 total wet bolts.

Regular bolts you would need 8 of them to be a 1/4" longer to use double shackles on each side. 4 bolts would be standard size.

Wet bolts you would need 8 as well to be a 1/4" longer and the remaining 12 to be standard length.

This would be more of a pain ordering but it would probably save you money on the initial order and save you time with not needing to drive the Bronze bushings out.

[Thom]

Just found another source for kits,

wet bolt kit

Shackels look pretty heavy duty....

[Moto4play]

Would like to find out the affects of going from a 2 1/4" shackle to a 3 1/8". According to LCI this is the kit I need.

[DesertRat]

Originally Posted by Moto4play

Would like to find out the affects of going from a 2 1/4" shackle to a 3 1/8". According to LCI this is the kit I need.

That would raise your trailer 7/8"

[Moto4play]

Originally Posted by DesertRat

That would raise your trailer 7/8"

Actually if you look at the shackles, they are keeping the leaf springs above the Equa-Flex. This would cause the Equa-Flex to ride lower which in return would bring the frame down and the leaf spring up, Lowering the entire trailer 7/8"

It also looks like it would bind up when the axles shift back a forth. I spoke to a Tech at Lippert and they said do not put the 3 1/8" in and to swap them out.

Spoke to Kaitlin at Lippert and she is sending out the 2 1/4" Heavy duty shackles and providing a return # to send the others back once I receive the new ones for a direct swap out. Customer Service with Lippert has been outstanding so far!