Have You Checked Yours?? - Montana Owners Club

timandsusan · 07-20-2010, 12:19 PM

I had my 4 year old shackles replaced with Wet Bolt Kit before my current 6000 mile trip. See the photo link below to see the poor shape of my shackles. I recommend that Keystone either install the Wet Bolt Kit as an option or make it part of some of their upgrade kits. Have you checked your shackles? The plastic inserts were all worn out and the shackle bolt holes were elogated. But mine did not fail completely.

http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u...usan/Shackles/

gypsies2 · 07-20-2010, 01:54 PM

My 2011 2955RL came with grease nipples on all shackles!

drknapp · 07-20-2010, 01:59 PM

My new 2011 also came with the wet bolts. Keystone must be listening.

exav8tr · 07-20-2010, 03:18 PM

Tim, That was one of several reasons why we upgraded to the MorRyde IS....

**Carl n Susan** · 07-20-2010, 05:05 PM

The 2011 models all come with wet bolts and the heavy duty shackles. Keystone must have been listening to all of us who had to replace our POS OEM parts.

HamRad · 07-20-2010, 06:24 PM

Tim and Susan,
This issue has come up several times. But I believe this issue is so critical that we can not talk about it too much! I think we have been so lucky that we have not had an incident that killed someone. If you check nothing else on your rig then make this the one you do!

Travel safely.
Dennis

bullroc3 · 07-21-2010, 03:29 AM

It was because of this forum that I changed mine (2005 2955RL). These pictures represent what mine looked like. It saved me a WHOLE lot of hurt. I cannot help but think about all of the Montana owners that don't know about this forum and will never know about all the problems that are showing up as these units age.

Long live the MOC!!!

RRman · 07-22-2010, 08:12 AM

I went ahead and replaced mine with the wetbolts, but as it turned out the original shackles and plastic were still fine after about 7K miles towed. I was also interested in the better ride the wetbolt and rubber provides so I wasn't too disappointed in the expense vice benefit/need.

PapaBeav · 07-22-2010, 09:17 AM

I replaced ours earlier this year with the help of KJolly and found that the plastic bushings were also worn out along with the shackle holes being elongated. So for those of you that still have the older original ones, you might want to think about replacing them.

richfaa · 07-22-2010, 10:44 AM

We replaced ours at @ 9K miles because of this forum.We could not detect a problem from looking at them BUT upon removing them the inserts were gone and the holes were no longer round. We have since scrapped the entire suspension and went to the IS system.

IMO most weekend campers and low use campers may never have a problem. Note that it took Tim @ 4 years to get 6K on the shackles. It took us @ 10 months.HOWEVER IMO If you have 5K or so on The OEM regular shackles ..get the wet bolt kit installed.

daneboy · 07-22-2010, 05:36 PM

My 06 2955rl had a shakel break through and was hanging loose on one end. That was after 30K miles, including an Alascan trip. Glad to hear the new units have improved.
Jerry

paddler67 · 07-25-2010, 11:52 AM

i replaced with the wet bolts last year. i had about 20k mis. on the 07 and the bushing were worn out and the holes were oval shape. bought the kit for about $155.00 and the hardest part of job was getting started.
toured factory in june and they are putting the wet bolt kits on the montana.

gene

Illini Trekker · 07-25-2010, 02:28 PM

One more thing one should look at before a wet bolt replacement is to weld more support across the shackel itself as this also has been a problem spot.

timandsusan · 07-26-2010, 04:07 AM

Yes, the angle iron cross member between the shackle brackets is needed to stiffen the frame. I had that done by the same trailer shop in San Antonio about 2 years ago. It is basically the same as the Morryde X Factor kit.

FRED S · 07-31-2010, 08:13 AM

Looks like I joined the broken spring hanger club. Somewhere between west VA and Louisville KY the left rear spring hanger side plates broke at the bend where it is welded to the frame. Was able to have it welded together at Tom Stinnet RV in Clarksville IN and then went on to Elkhart where we had it replaced and the three crossmembers installed at Morryde. It is stronger than it ever was now and no longer makes all those funny noises when backing into parking spots.
Fred

dreamers2010 · 08-02-2010, 10:46 AM

Is this a problem if you have the MorRyde Suspension system on your unit?

Judy

Jerry Smith · 08-07-2010, 06:36 PM

I think most of us get caught up in the cosmetics of the Montana.. This is our second one a 3295RK 2008 I assure all of you IT will be my LAST I have had All the problems from the Axles, spring hangers,shackles. Quality is a thing of the past with Keystone and workmanship is lacking. Others may be as bad but I will spread the money around next time we buy..
Sorry about that just a little upset.. your pictures are good just not as bad as we have seen, hangers were not falling off the frame like our 2008 ..
Have fun. We are in Alaska enjoying being here for the past few months.
Jerry & Shirley from Kansas

KathyandDave · 08-12-2010, 01:46 PM

We are weekenders, with a couple of longer trips. It only took us a year to trash the bushings and goose-egg the shackle holes. We have put in the the wet-bolts (with xnavydiver's expert help) and welded braces onto the the hangers.

richfaa · 08-13-2010, 04:21 AM

Some of us heavy users went to the Mor Ryde IS Suspension. We have no springs, Axles, hangers, etc. My suggestion if going to another brand is to go to the brand that has IS suspension OEM or consider the cost of the upgrade. It is not for all users but If you use these things hard it may be a good idea. The Mor Ryde X factor upgrade is a good option fot lighter users.

mojavemike · 08-28-2010, 06:19 PM

My 2010 came with them

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