Shakels

[RADHAZJOE]

We have over 55,000 miles on our 3400RL. I have read a lot about shakel wear. I just looked at them I can not see any signs of wear.

What should I be looking for and do they have to be removed, etc. to tell>

[foggyb]

Changed ours at 44,000. All shackle holes egg shaped and equilizer the same. Put in wet bolts and replaced all shackes and equilizes. Don't expect any more trouble. I would take some apart and take a close look at the holes. Dan

[stiles watson]

If you remove the nuts on the inside of the shackles, you will be able to observe whether the shackle hole is becoming elongated. If it is, it is time to replace them along with the bushings. Your choices are to replace them with an upgrade kit which has been being discussed (my preference) or go back in with the original equipment. In either case, if you are handy, you can do it yourself. With the help of a friend, it will go much faster. If not, your dealer or a wheel and axle shop will manage the job for you.

By-the-way, if it were me, I would take those shackle nuts off one at a time and re-torque it before going to the next. This checking can be done by crawling under the rig without jacking up the axle or the frame.

[HamRad]

There are several threads that discuss this issue and there are some good pictures on some of them. If you go to the PictureTrail link in my signature block and then go down to the album called Shaclkes and Tank leak and you can see a few pictures of what to look for.

Good luck.

HamRad

[dsprik]

quote:Originally posted by stiles watson

By-the-way, if it were me, I would take those shackle nuts off one at a time and re-torque it before going to the next. This checking can be done by crawling under the rig without jacking up the axle or the frame.

Stiles, what ft lbs of torque are you thinking of? Last post on this I remember said that Dexter - Mor/ryde don't give a recommended torque figure. I know you would have a good feel for an approximate figure on this as you guys replaced and tightened those shackles at the Rally.

[bncinwv]

Dave,
Kerry posted the Dexter Manual on another thread:
http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/1080235/f/...-07_72_res.pdf
Greek to me, but check out around page 58 or 59 to see if that has any bearing (pun intended??) on the situation.
Bingo

[stiles watson]

I would think 100 to 125 should be enough. You are tightening it up on a shoulder bolt.

[dsprik]

Thanks, Bingo! Thanks, Stiles!

[richfaa]

Just changed ours out at about 15K miles..They were in fairly good shape but were beginning to show wear.Can't imagine them lasting 55K miles..

[8.1al]

The instructions that came with our shackle kit said 40-60 ft. lbs.

[stiles watson]

Charlie is right. Make that 40-60 ft lbs.

[kerry]

I think they have new ones with grease fittings. Kerry

[dsprik]

Thanks, guys. I am going to take these nuts off this next week. We are leaving on the 13th (Sat) for FL, via Lexington Horse Park (2 days), Gatlinburg, TN (2 days), Asheville, NC (3 days). I definitely want to look at these shackles before this trip.

[Montana_3118]

Stiles
Where did you get the wet bolt kit

[stiles watson]

I got my kit for the 2003 Big Sky from Dexter, however, when it becomes time to make the change on the new 2008, I will purchase the Dexter manufactured kit from Mor/Ryde because it is my understanding that they include a part not supplied in the Dexter direct purchase kit.

[RADHAZJOE]

Well, I took off several nuts. I can not see any sign of wear. I am getting new tires all around next week and will have them pull the bolts out on the eualizer on one side and check that.

[RADHAZJOE]

After seeing the pictures on Hamrads thread, I pulled the nuts again. The holes are as perfectly round as any I bolt holes I have seen. From what I can see, my shakels do not rotate on the bolts, but the bolts rotate in the spring hole and in the equalizer holes. Is this different on other rigs? Again, there is NO sign of wear in the holes at 58,000 miles.