Suspension maintenance

[jayc]

Yep, first time and hopefully the last for the suspension. With proper tools it's not too hard. It was much more difficult here with an unlevel site and millions of grassburrs!

 

[jassson007]

Yep, first time and hopefully the last for the suspension. With proper tools it's not too hard. It was much more difficult here with an unlevel site and millions of grassburrs!

Just trying to decide when I need to do this maintenance. You have towed more miles than I have. How did your old parts look. Can you post a pic or two?


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[Birchwood]

I coat all bolts with grease or fluid film twice a year.Zero rust on my springs or bolts.

 

[MFordWells]

Going to be doing the same thing in a few weeks. I have a 2011 Bighorn 3585RL just got it from original owner who put maybe 5,000 miles on it. The equalizers and shocks looking pretty nasty figure they are about due. Wondering on your replacement did you use the EZ-Flex K71-653 kit? Also, and suggestions on the shocks or just auto-parts match-em? Finally, did you also replace spring and shackle bushings, and if so use something like Never-Fail perm. lubricated bushings? Thanks for any suggestions or pointers you have that might save me from busting a knuckle or getting the wrong stuff.

 

[TravelTiger]

Going to be doing the same thing in a few weeks. I have a 2011 Bighorn 3585RL just got it from original owner who put maybe 5,000 miles on it. The equalizers and shocks looking pretty nasty figure they are about due. Wondering on your replacement did you use the EZ-Flex K71-653 kit? Also, and suggestions on the shocks or just auto-parts match-em? Finally, did you also replace spring and shackle bushings, and if so use something like Never-Fail perm. lubricated bushings? Thanks for any suggestions or pointers you have that might save me from busting a knuckle or getting the wrong stuff.

Likely you will need to replace the bushings. This was the kit we used.

Pic has neverfail, two of our bushings we removed, and a standard nylon for comparison.



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[mlpeloquin]

I changed out my bolts and never lube sleeve bearing. The sleeves were ultra thin on one side and two were cracked. I replace them with the Bronze sleeve bearings. Coat the outside with never seize as well as the inside of the spring they go into. I walked mine in using a c clamp. Two of my bolts were eaten into by the hanger, but the shackles were fine. I changed them anyway. Lubed bolts seem to give a smother ride. I noticed going over speed bumps the suspension moves smoothly and is quiet.

 

[jaeger]

Yaa our unit complains a bit after being parked for a while. I just greased the hangers and hub today since I had the wheels off and switched out the tires.

 

[caissiel]

Make sure wheels are balanced. I have minimum wear on my suspension and only changed bushings to nylons after 5 years and at least 40k miles. Piece of cake using jack under the axle while trailer is supported by the frame, one side at a time. 7 of $1.00 bushings each side