Suspension Bushing replacement intervals

[MandK]

So still going over Monty after returning home late last week and this morning when I lifted the tires off the ground enough to get a pry bar under them to check for suspension movement I knew I would be changing wet bolt bushings. I carry a four pack of bronze bushings by Dexter and a couple of spare wet bolts so I figured I might as well at least change the spring eye bushings on one axle while I wait for the rest of the bushings to arrive. My question is when you guys change these, do you generally see that the spring eye bushings need to be changed in as little as 10,000 miles? I have 15,000 on the trailer and the spring eye bushings were worn, cracked and broken, totally destroyed, but the Road Armor bushings were like new. Everything was tight when checked in the fall before we left so the spring eye bushings disintegrated in the last 4000 miles. Are the Road armor bushings superior to the Dexter brand and if so, where can I get them? Or is this the nature of the beast and I need to change my bushings every 18-24 months?
I grease them 3 times per year, which equates to about every 1800 miles. Thanks

[Daryles]

Looks about right.
I bought two complete sets of bolts bushings and shackles last September at the rally. I have not changed them yet (need some welding done and I want to do it all at the same time).
I changed ALL the leaf springs, bolts and bushings before we started our road trip from Missouri up into the Canadian rockies (Jasper NP) and back (about 6,000 miles).
The old bushings were totally disintegrated. I don't remember how many miles were on them.
I'm interested in seeing how the bushings look I put in last spring (6,000 miles).

[scottz]

Is it difficult to get the old bushings out?

[MandK]

No, they easily drive out if they are whole, mine came out even easier because they were cracked and broken. I installed x-factors 2 years ago and saved one of the original shorter wet bolts (install of x-factors require longer wet bolts) that I used to drive out the the old bushings and drive in the new ones. Two of them just fell out because they were in so many small pieces. I was just a little surprised by how beat up and worn out the bushings were. Thankfully I caught it in time and the spring eyes are still in good shape. I don’t consider 15k miles a lot. I guess I need to adjust my thinking. LOL. Another pro for Independant Suspension if I’m going to put some miles on I guess.

[ChuckS]

10K miles? not for mine... I have 45K miles ( 11th year of use ).. original bronze bushings, wet bolts and links... there is no movement and no slop.. I grease my suspension before every trip.... Dexter 7K axle, suspension and EQ Flex center link

** And yes I have pull a couple of wet bolts out to take a look see at the links, bolt holes and bushings

[Foldbak]

10K miles shocks me. I would have guessed 40K to 50K. The Lippert equalizer bushings look brand new. I wonder if that's their never fail bushing? The Dexter bushing is toast. I wonder if the bushings are interchangeable? Now I'm concerned...

[MandK]

Never fail bushings are plastic or some similar material. They don’t hold up well at all. Had them on a landscape trailer

[scottz]

My rig has 25k miles on it since all the springs and hangers were replaced with bigger ones. I guess the only way to know is remove the wheels, pull the wet bolts and look at them; what a pain. If I go in that deep, I'll replace them.

[beeje]

I tried everything to keep the original suspension working properly. New bushings new wet bolts greased it every time I used it.
Even replace the entire shooting match Springs u-bolts shackles Etc. Still had problems with destroyed bushings missing wet bolts broken wet bolts.
Finally had enough took it to more ride ripped off the horse and buggy suspension and put on their independent suspension.
Night and day difference no more having to worry about anything suspension related

[Our3231CK]

We have a 2024 3231CK that we replaced the suspension with IS from MORryde. If anyone is interested to purchase, you can PM me for the 4 springs, shackles and hardware MORryde gave me. I was planning to bring them to the rally in Sep. They have about 50 miles on them from dealer to MORryde.



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[Our3231CK]

adding photos

[Foldbak]

Crap if you were closer....

[Baldicon]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

Crap if you were closer....

Following.

[ToolMan]

Originally Posted by Our3231CK

We have a 2024 3231CK that we replaced the suspension with IS from MORryde. If anyone is interested to purchase, you can PM me for the 4 springs, shackles and hardware MORryde gave me. I was planning to bring them to the rally in Sep. They have about 50 miles on them from dealer to MORryde.



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I would be interested in your old suspension parts. But I have no idea how to PM. Could you please contact me?

[ToolMan]

I would be interested in your old suspension if North Olmsted is in northern Ohio. I have no idea how to PM you. Could you please contact me?

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by ToolMan

....I have no idea how to PM you....

PM is a Private Message. Click on the member's name Our3231CK and then Click on "Send Message" just below the cute picture of the dogs on the couch. Then select "Send a Private Message..." and away you go