Rear spring bolt issues

[donzinger]

I installed the wetbolt kit last spring. Since then, I have two left side rear spring bolts break and today discovered the right side rear one had the nut loosen up. I have to make a pretty sharp turning backing maneuver to get into my driveway with plenty of tire sidewall flex. Thinking this may be the cause. Any other thoughts?

[Mr. Cob]

Originally Posted by donzinger

I installed the wetbolt kit last spring. Since then, I have two left side rear spring bolts break and today discovered the right side rear one had the nut loosen up. I have to make a pretty sharp turning backing maneuver to get into my driveway with plenty of tire sidewall flex. Thinking this may be the cause. Any other thoughts?

Howdy donzinger,


Since changing to the wet bolts, I have two bolt break one on the far rear spring on the left and right hand side of my trailer. When the one on the right side broke and fell out, it allowed the spring to jump outside of the spring mount, this allowed the axle to shift causing the ruin of the tire on the right side, the left side tire was worn but still usable as a spare.


I found the broken bolt on the left side as I was under the trailer greasing the wet bolts, this bolt was still place but was broken in the middle and I could pull the pieces out with a pliers.


This is only a theory but I think it has merit. The wet bolts are weaker then a regular bolt as they have a hole drilled in the middle nearly through the bolt and then have holes drilled cross-wise to allow the grease to flow in-between the bolt and the brass bushing. The bolt that broke but had not fallen out was cracked in half right where the cross drilled holes where. I also have to make some very tight turns to get into and out of my driveway and some of the places I have camped.



It is my opinion that making such tight turns puts more stress on the wet bolts then they can take without breaking, I am seriously considering replacing the wet bolts with regular grade 8 bolts of the proper size, I would rather have the darn bolt wear and have to be replaced every few years then have another one break and cause more damage possibly a wreak when the axles shifts while going down the road.


Dave

[donzinger]

Those were exactly my thoughts as well, Dave. I crank a hard 90 to back into my driveway.

[Mr. Cob]

Originally Posted by donzinger

Those were exactly my thoughts as well, Dave. I crank a hard 90 to back into my driveway.

Howdy donzinger,


I have to back up hill and around a curve to park my rig in front of our home, oh did I mention this is on a tree lined driveway with a steep drop off if you don't make the curve.


When I leave to go on a trip I have to drive to a culdisack (sp) about a 1/4 mile away and do a turn around so that I can get out of my neighborhood. When making that turn around I can look in the mirrors and see the axles flex and the tries look they are going to get peeled off the rims. Living where I do I don't have any choice its just what I have to do and its HARD on the trailer suspension.


Dave

[donzinger]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cob

Howdy donzinger,


I have to back up hill and around a curve to park my rig in front of our home, oh did I mention this is on a tree lined driveway with a steep drop off if you don't make the curve.


When I leave to go on a trip I have to drive to a culdisack (sp) about a 1/4 mile away and do a turn around so that I can get out of my neighborhood. When making that turn around I can look in the mirrors and see the axles flex and the tries look they are going to get peeled off the rims. Living where I do I don't have any choice its just what I have to do and its HARD on the trailer suspension.


Dave

Understand that. I run load range J tires. They don't flex like the China bombs did, but all that twist goes into the axles and springs now. Your theory gains more merit about the potentially weaker wet bolts.

[Mr. Cob]

Originally Posted by donzinger

Understand that. I run load range J tires. They don't flex like the China bombs did, but all that twist goes into the axles and springs now. Your theory gains more merit about the potentially weaker wet bolts.

I upgraded to 17.5 wheels and commercial grade tires years ago but I can still see the tires flex when they scrub as I am turning around in the caldisack (sp)

[dsol]

Way too many suspension issues with these trailers. This is a real shame. It’s not hard to imagine someone getting hurt or worse due to one of these failures.

[donzinger]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cob

I upgraded to 17.5 wheels and commercial grade tires years ago but I can still see the tires flex when they scrub as I am turning around in the caldisack (sp)

Same here on the 17.5's. I only drug the fiver home from the dealer on the Westlake's and they were swapped out before our maiden camping trip.

In case you hadn't looked yet, the bolts are a 9/16" shank with the shank length of 2-1/4". The threads are a 7/16"-20. The bolt necks down at the end of the shanks - I think that is to keep the spring hanger from collapsing against the spring when tightened.

[donzinger]

Well, lost yet another wet bolt yesterday on our way to the campsite. Sad...

[dsol]

@Mr Cob, if I can ask an unrelated question—how do you possibly get in an out of driveways with your setup? I have a Ram 2500 4WD and the fifth wheel hitch is about 2 inches higher than a 2WD as the trucks come that way from the factory. I now have the king pin shoved up as high as possible under my trailer, the hitch as low as possible in my truck bed and even replaced my trailer suspension with new leaf springs and hangers and I still scrape on way too many driveways. Before all my changes many driveways were actually not passable.

With your 3 axle trailer and longer truck I would assume it must be worse. How do you do it? I imagine with your class 8 rig and fuel tanks you can go further between stops but you still have to deal with driveways every once in a while.

@OP sorry for the thread hijack but seems like the problem was identified already as the weaker bolts in the wet suspension anyway.

Thanks

[donzinger]

Put a grade 8 bolt in at the campsite and she made the 100 mile trip home without incident. I do, however need to weld new spring hangers on as they are ovaled out and my primary tire on the left rear is now my spare. Down to the wear bar from the axle not being true.

[donzinger]

Welded new hangers in place and used grade 8 hardware with a jam nut. Working on a gusset for inside the spring hanger to stiffen it further.