More Shackles - Montana Owners Club

capn chris · 03-05-2008, 04:55 AM

Thanks to this forum, I was monitoring my spring shackles, but not as closely as I thought. However, I was able to get the E-Z Flex Equalizers from Dexter installed before they failed! Right rear outboard shackle was worn completely through the top!!! Replacements are much beefier, have zirk grease fittings and should be good for the life of the rig! Whew, am I glad I "got 'r done!" Long way from home when this was done. Safe again!

stiles watson · 03-05-2008, 07:56 AM

Yup, been there and done that. Congrats on avoiding a serious break down.

richfaa · 03-05-2008, 09:03 AM

Same here...

HamRad · 03-05-2008, 09:10 AM

Chris,

Those shackles can be really sneaky. It is so hard to see that wear is going on. You really have to get up close and personal! Glad you found them and got the good heavy duty ones to replace the weak OEM stuff. You should be good for the life of your rig!

Safe travels,

Dennis

noneck · 03-05-2008, 12:07 PM

Ahhh, got the badge from failure in CG last trip out 2007. Waiting for thaw to go put the new dexter heavy duty zerk conversion kit on...

jjackflash · 03-05-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by capn chris

Thanks to this forum, I was monitoring my spring shackles, but not as closely as I thought. However, I was able to get the E-Z Flex Equalizers from Dexter installed before they failed! Right rear outboard shackle was worn completely through the top!!! Replacements are much beefier, have zirk grease fittings and should be good for the life of the rig! Whew, am I glad I "got 'r done!" Long way from home when this was done. Safe again!

Is this replacement kit a DIY kit or is there cutting and welding involved. What kind of money are we talking about?

stiles watson · 03-05-2008, 12:35 PM

Cost of the kit runs less than $200. Mine was $120. If you are handy and have access to tools, it is very doable. Mostly, it is grunt work. I did mine alone, but did a demo at the 2007 Fall Rally in Goshan and can tell you it goes better when there is someone helping.

jjackflash · 03-06-2008, 04:49 AM

Thanks Stiles,Where would I get this kit?
Will this kit help with side stress from cornering and back in's?
I Just found their website. Do you have to have a Dexter system already and this is a add on kit?
This is from their site!
If you currently have a Dexter equalizer (Part Number 13-104) then the matching E-Z Flex kit would be
K71-652-00 or K71-654-00
If you currently have a Dexter equalizer (Part Number 13-122) then the matching E-Z Flex kit would be
K71-653-00 or K71-655-00
Available E-Z Flex Kits

K71-652-00 (Complete E-Z Flex Suspension) - For 33" axle spacing and axles up to 6000lbs. capacity
K71-653-00 (Complete E-Z Flex Suspension) - For 35" axle spacing and axles up to 8000lbs. capacity
K71-654-00 (E-Z Flex Equalizer & Bolts) - For 33" axle spacing and axles up to 6000lbs. capacity
K71-655-00 (E-Z Flex Equalizer & Bolts) - For 35" axle spacing and axles up to 8000lbs. capacity

Jack

dieselguy · 03-06-2008, 02:05 PM

I went with the shackle mod from TrailAir which is very similar to the Dexter kit. It's an easy afternoon job with the right eqipment. Here's a link to my old post.
http://montanaadministrator.forumco.com/
topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=
23847&SearchTerms=,

OntMont · 03-06-2008, 03:02 PM

If you can get to the TrailAir shop in Goshen (very near the Montana plant), they will put on the Equaflex rubber suspension and HD greaseable bronze bushings for a quite reasonable rate, and they can do it in an hour or two. We are very pleased with ours.

8.1al · 03-07-2008, 03:02 AM

capn chris,
Stiles helped me install the EZ Flex at the fall rally and while it may not be quite as good as the Trailair or Morryde we are quite pleased with it and the extra you pay for it is cheap

capn chris · 03-10-2008, 06:40 AM

jjackflash, I called Dexter and ordered them. Look between your tires for the OEM number on the equalizer. Mine was 13-122 and axle to axle spacing is 35". I didn't get off as cheap as some indicate. Kit was about $280, and total w/tax and shipping was over $300 for the parts (beefy equalizers w/rubber shock absorber, new HD shackles, and all bolts etc. w/grease fittings. Was on the road so had to have Camping World do install near Atlanta. Think that multiple jacks are required for the job, but Stiles or dieselguy might be able to verify that. Having them installed makes her ride better and gives me new confidence in the rig!!! Guess the Monty deserved the upgrade after nearly 28k miles, including a trip to AK?!! Be good to your rig and she'll be good to you.

jjackflash · 03-10-2008, 06:56 AM

Thanks Chris,I appreciate the info.just one more thing to add on my to do list.
Jack

Pete Hanson · 05-06-2008, 06:03 AM

I am very interested in the EX Flex solution but would love to know if the ride improvement met your expectations. I need to replace the chackles anyway and this looks like a good solution.

richfaa · 05-06-2008, 06:18 AM

Well they have gone up considerable.. They were a lot less than that at the fall rally 2007.

capn chris · 05-07-2008, 03:23 AM

Rich,
Depends on whether you get just the shackles and "wet bolts" like noneck did, or go the "full Monty" and replace the equalizer w/EZ-Flex, like I did. The new equalizer also has zirks (grease fittings) on it. We can compare in Gettysburg?!!!

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