Wet Bolts Voltage 3950

[DesertRat]

You are correct. I just helped my son "flip" his axles on his 5th wheel trailer. As his doesn't have the Equa-Flex & is solid mounted to the frame that's the setup I was thinking of. That would raise it 7/8".

[Moto4play]

I received the new shackles from Lippert earlier this week. They are the right length this time and the heavy duty style. They look good and as soon as we have a decent day outside I'll get them installed.

[donzinger]

Darn this site - now I have another project to do my 3950!

[Moto4play]

I finished with one side. Also adjusted the Brakes which were much needed. And greased the Wheel bearings, they were lightly greased from the manufacture. Surprised how worn the breaks are already. Would be surprised if we put 3K on the trailer so far.

[calewjohnson]

I like it!! I will be doing this in Jan or Feb. Once you are done and post any saved rounds....and maybe a list of lessons learned.

Cale

[calewjohnson]

Originally Posted by Moto4play

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

Just curious, I cannot get under the trailer right now, has been raining for over a week now, I have a small lake under there...looking at Equa Flex on Lippert's site, the stock photos show bolts with grease holes and zeros, is this not the case?

Cale

[Moto4play]

Originally Posted by calewjohnson

Just curious, I cannot get under the trailer right now, has been raining for over a week now, I have a small lake under there...looking at Equa Flex on Lippert's site, the stock photos show bolts with grease holes and zeros, is this not the case?

Cale

The Equa-Flex had the same bolts as all other linkage. I know there web site shows the wet bolts with the Equa-Flex but that was not the case on mine and probably everyone else's. They do have the Bronze bushing, so you do not need to worry about replacing those.

The overall job was easier than I anticipated. If you support the axels supported it is straight forward. The hardest part for me has been getting the plastic bushing out. Mine where not as bad as others I have seen on here. Ended up using needle nose pliers and grabbing one side and twisting it inwards collapsing the entire bushing. Tried driving it out and burning it out, twisting seemed to be the easiest and quickest. Took about 4 hours to replace one side, adjust the brakes and grease everything.

[calewjohnson]

Originally Posted by Moto4play

The Equa-Flex had the same bolts as all other linkage. I know there web site shows the wet bolts with the Equa-Flex but that was not the case on mine and probably everyone else's. They do have the Bronze bushing, so you do not need to worry about replacing those.

The overall job was easier than I anticipated. If you support the axels supported it is straight forward. The hardest part for me has been getting the plastic bushing out. Mine where not as bad as others I have seen on here. Ended up using needle nose pliers and grabbing one side and twisting it inwards collapsing the entire bushing. Tried driving it out and burning it out, twisting seemed to be the easiest and quickest. Took about 4 hours to replace one side, adjust the brakes and grease everything.

Yep, crawled under late yesterday, and your right...as a matter of fact, I cannot find the part number we have on Lipperts site, just curious as to the bushings already installed, if they aren't the Never Fail...those look like brass from their pics on their site.

It is amazing that the hodge lodge of stuff we get...it is almost like owning a Harley, the basics are there and even some upgrades on the facade, but if you want it to be the expensive upgrade, you have to disassemble it and install a handful of parts that they want you to buy...

Someone posted a MoRyde link for shackles, I may give those a shot, they are beefy looking...

Also though about Switching to the Dexter EZ Flex, but I have read about the system becoming inverted with wheels off the ground, which we have every once in a while since we have hydraulic leveling....

The rubber looks cracked on my EquaFkex, do you think that is user replaceable or do we have to replace the whole component?

Cale

[DesertRat]

Originally Posted by calewjohnson

Just curious, I cannot get under the trailer right now, has been raining for over a week now, I have a small lake under there.
Cale

With the lack of rain we have had that's a good thing. Even out here in the desert we have seen some water falling from the sky.

[ATCguy]

We've got rain in AZ today... a rarity. Stayed here for 9 weeks last year, and only saw one day of rain the entire time.

[calewjohnson]

We are FL transplants to CA...I don't mind the rain, it is just chilly up here....I do miss a good thunderstorm...

Cale

[donzinger]

Originally Posted by Moto4play

I finished with one side. Also adjusted the Brakes which were much needed. And greased the Wheel bearings, they were lightly greased from the manufacture. Surprised how worn the breaks are already. Would be surprised if we put 3K on the trailer so far.

Attachment 1678
Attachment 1680
Attachment 1681
Attachment 1682

Moto4play - on the shackle sizes, were the 2-1/4" or 3-1/8" measurements center to center on the bolt holes or was that overall length of the shackle?

[Moto4play]

Originally Posted by donzinger

Moto4play - on the shackle sizes, were the 2-1/4" or 3-1/8" measurements center to center on the bolt holes or was that overall length of the shackle?

Sorry for the delay, here are a few pics. The measurement is center to center of the bolt holes.

[donzinger]

Originally Posted by Moto4play

Sorry for the delay, here are a few pics. The measurement is center to center of the bolt holes.

Thanks! So for my 3950, I will need the shorter set - the UO12-023 set - will order Monday - thanks again for the clarification!

[Moto4play]

Originally Posted by donzinger

Thanks! So for my 3950, I will need the shorter set - the UO12-023 set - will order Monday - thanks again for the clarification!

You will also need two extra long bolts, total of 14 long bolts and 16 short bolts. There is one link on both sides that require a long bolt that does not use the shackles. It is off one of the Equa-Flex units. Kit does not come with the right number, I had to order two long bolts and I have two shorts left over.

[donzinger]

Again, thanks! I guess that was done by Dutchmen themselves then if the kit isn't correct... I am guessing the picture here MOR/ryde Products is not representative of the kit then as it appears to have all same length bolts.


This site sure is great - getting other owners to provide their insights and experiences...

[donzinger]

Originally Posted by 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!!

I am assuming that you didn't order the entire kit and ordered piece by piece?

[Moto4play]

I ordered the kit they told me that i needed and it came with the longer doubled shackles. Then when actually completed one side I figured out that I needed two extra long bolts then what they sent me.

LCI sells the heavier shackles as a set but you would need to buy the Bronze bushings separate and the shorter bolts. I am working on the RV today, I will take a pic of the bolt measurement and can give you a complete list of what you need. You may want to call and see if they have a kit with the right parts.

I am also going to pull the info off the axles so I know exactly which axles they used.

The extra long bolt that is needed on each side is through the one connection on the equal flex that does not have the shackles. The connecter is a 1/2" thick on either side like the heavy shackles.

If you look at my earlier attachment 1681 it is the right connection from the equal-flex to the leaf spring.

[donzinger]

The plot thickens! LOL. The kit MOR-Ryde has on their site looks to be complete with bushings, etc. I wonder if I will have the same issues with the bolt lengths thru them? Guess we'll see when I get around to taking it apart. Thanks again!

[calewjohnson]

Originally Posted by Moto4play

I ordered the kit they told me that i needed and it came with the longer doubled shackles. Then when actually completed one side I figured out that I needed two extra long bolts then what they sent me.

LCI sells the heavier shackles as a set but you would need to buy the Bronze bushings separate and the shorter bolts. I am working on the RV today, I will take a pic of the bolt measurement and can give you a complete list of what you need. You may want to call and see if they have a kit with the right parts.

I am also going to pull the info off the axles so I know exactly which axles they used.

The extra long bolt that is needed on each side is through the one connection on the equal flex that does not have the shackles. The connecter is a 1/2" thick on either side like the heavy shackles.

If you look at my earlier attachment 1681 it is the right connection from the equal-flex to the leaf spring.

Thanks for the info...looking forward to the parts list.

Cale