Nylon bushings

[Allen in MT]

What is the best way to check to find out if the nylon bushings that the bolt goes thru on the springs are in need of replacement?

[Bruce Lenhardt]

They won't last long. Mine were gone by 10K miles.

[DQDick]

When we went to independent suspension I looked at what came out. We had a little less than 10K on them and I wouldn't have wanted to put them back if we were keeping the springs. I don't think there's anyway to tell without pulling them and looking. If you're going to go to that much trouble you should put wet bolts on. It's not just the bolts and bushings that are better, the shackles are more robust also.

[mhs4771]

With an 05 Monty, unless it's been sitting in one place for the past 7 years there is probably nothing left of them.

[dieselguy]

I fully agree with mhs4771 ... you've probably got alot of rusty dust in your spring eyes.

[NCFischers]

X3

[Rondo]

I'd say the bushings are gone and the bolt holes are elongated in the brackets if you've used your Monte at all. Check out some of the pictures in the archives on this subject. They will open your eyes!

[berridge]

The only way to check them is to remove the bolts. To do this jack the chassis up till the wheels just lift. Then jack the axle up to just remove the weight from the suspension. The bolts can be tapped out and the bushing checked. I suspect you will see that the holes in the shackles are egg shapped so be prepared to replace them. The heavy duty suspension kit with heavier shackles and greasable bushings is your best bet for replacement. If the shackle fails the trailer body will drop down onto the tires and stop them from rotating. Been there done that.

[Garlic]

I installed Dexter EZ flex with wet bolts and it made a world of difference to our rear kitchen model. Cut the bounce WAY down. It also replaced some very dangerously worn shackles. Here is a link to a picture of it: http://www.serenitysys.com/rv/techni...r_upgrade.html Not the hardest job I ever did, but a bit testy.

[RRman]

I replaced my 05 Nylon Bushings and shackles/wet bolts with Dexter EZ Flex in Apr 09 with about 12K miles on my Fiver. The Nylon Bushings and shackles were still in fine shape at that point, to my surprize! EZ Flex did improve ride/handling, so no regrets.

[worknomore]

I agree with Rondo - when I had the wet bolt kit installed on my 2005 a couple of years ago, the nylon bushings were either gone or paper-thin. Luckily, the bolt holes weren't elongated yet.

Best bet - bite the bullet & get the wet bolts installed...

[Champ_49]

I'm liking the new Never Fail Bushings that are permanent lubed. Lippert is saying good things about them on there web site. Suppose to be better than the wet bolt kits and significantly cheaper.

Dave

I had better rephrase on better than wet bolts to an alternative to them.

[8.1al]

If I were selling a special, new, better bushing I would say good things about it too. This won't cure all the problems with the standard suspension. The bolts that go through the shackles have a knurl/spline on them that is supposed to keep the bolt from rotating in the shackle. The stock shackles are thin and the bolts work loose in the shackle and start turning which if not caught will wear right through the shackle. The wet bolt kit has very thick shackles which will do a much better job of retaining the bolts.

[RJI47]

Nice job Garlic.. Very interesting

[Champ_49]

quote:Originally posted by 8.1al

If I were selling a special, new, better bushing I would say good things about it too. This won't cure all the problems with the standard suspension. The bolts that go through the shackles have a knurl/spline on them that is supposed to keep the bolt from rotating in the shackle. The stock shackles are thin and the bolts work loose in the shackle and start turning which if not caught will wear right through the shackle. The wet bolt kit has very thick shackles which will do a much better job of retaining the bolts.

It's my understanding that with the upgrade kit for the never fail bushing includes the new heavier shackles also.

Dave

[8.1al]

quote:Originally posted by Champ_49

It's my understanding that with the upgrade kit for the never fail bushing includes the new heavier shackles also.

Dave

That would make it a good alternative to the wet bolts then

[ronnilu]

Garlic thanks for the detailed pictures & explanations. That really helps to see what is involved and whether one should attempt their own work on a project like this. Very nicely done.

[KathyandDave]

5000 miles for us. Nylon was shredded and the shackle holes were goose-eggs. Dave McNair helped me replace them all wit the dexter wet bolt kits and put in better brakes. Later we also re-welded the hangers and installed gussets.