Replacing Rear Wet bolts

[bigred715]

Morryde sent me 2 new wet bolts and a shackle assembly. Didn't really need the last item. 2 rear spring hanger bolts would not take grease and believe they ween't drilled clear through. They installed back at plant site in 2010. Now, how to get old ones out and put new ones in. Hope the brass bushings are OK. When my dealership replaced the rear axle I think they used impact gun to tighten nuts and I can't break loose so far. Will need impact gun to get nuts off. Just maybe that will let grease to get through, although don't think that is the problem. Do I need to jack up trailer, remove rear tire and raise axle to take pressure to push out wet bolt? Any help would be appreciated, since I know some of you have done the whole procedure.

[WaltBennett]

Yes, you'll need to jack the axle, remove the wheel and raise/lower the axle to remove tension. Probably be lowering it. DON'T try turning the bolt head as there's splines holding it in one position. Back the nut mostly off and see if you can tap it out. If that doesn't work, use a flywheel puller & press it out. Shouldn't be all that difficult, but try keeping the spring/shackle/hanger parts aligned so you don't damage your bushings.

[bethandkevin]

Just for the sake of asking, did you try to grease them with weight off them. This was my case with our 2013. Wouldn't take grease with my pneumatic greaser. Raised that side and they took grease fine. Also, you'll have more torque to loosen the nuts with a breaker bar than an air impact.

[Sierra 117]

One of my wet bolts was not drilled completely through. It was definitely a factory defect.

[1retired06]

Wet bolts not drilled out has been discussed as a continuing problem, including those delivered as options already installed.

[bigred715]

I have tried raising trailer and that didn't work. Also tried a 18" breaker bar and could not break loose. I think I read that the torque should be 50# on these nuts and my dealer that replaced the rear axle must have used an impact wrench and didn't no what they were doing. This happened over 3 yrs ago and I would be wasting my time trying to put the blame on them for over tightening.

[boat391]

Forgive me but I have to ask are you trying to break loose the nut the reason I ask is the head side still shaped like a nut is splined and won't budge the other side should break loose with a 18" breaker bar. I would try penetrating oil let it set then go back at it maybe with a 2' cheater over the end of the breaker bar. I have never met a nut I couldn't break loose sometime they aren't pretty when I get them to go. If all this fails and you have new wet bolts cut the nut with a nut breaker sold at most auto stores then push it out and replace with new. Hope this helps.

[jlb27537]

The nut is on the end opposite the zerk. The nut should come loose with no issue. You CAN NOT turn the head of the bolt.

Once the nut is loose, leave it still on the threads and with the weight off the axle tap the wet bolt out till the splines are clear of the hanger and give it a 1/4 turn, see if it will take grease.

If so, reinstall the wet bolt and tighten nut to 50lbs.

[bigred715]

Thanks for the help. I do know that the nut opposite the zerk is the one to get off, but unable with my 18" breaker to get either loose. Will try and find a pc of pipe to extend and give me more leverage. If I can break them loose I'll try and spin them after driving them out past the spline end. My working conditions are perfect so raising trailer off of gravel won't be easy.

[Overlord]

quote:Originally posted by bigred715

...but unable with my 18" breaker to get either loose.

Lefty loosey - Righty tighty. If'n you can't break them loose with an 18" breaker bar, then you might want to send away for the Charles Atlas Course.

Seriously though, they might be corroded. If that is the case, try some Blaster PB on them, and they should come off fairly easily. The stuff work wonders: http://www.amazon.com/Blaster-16-PB-.../dp/B000I2079E

Also could be stuck on there because of fine grit locking the threads together.

[mrtgraz]

There are two bolts one upper and one lower you have to remove them both and they will both come right out together as one piece i know i have just done them on mine.just make sure you are supporting the weight of the trailer and the axle.

[mrtgraz]

I meant to say remove the NUTS on both and the bolts and shackles will all come out as one . Sorry

[bigred715]

There is no shackle on the end of the spring. It connects into the U-shaped hanger bracket. Haven't had a chance to work on wet-bolts yet, probably after next short trip.