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10-09-2012, 11:50 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ronan
Posts: 385
M.O.C. #7615
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Nylon bushings
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?
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10-09-2012, 12:16 PM
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#2
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Grain valley
Posts: 356
M.O.C. #5098
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They won't last long. Mine were gone by 10K miles.
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10-09-2012, 01:14 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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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.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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10-09-2012, 02:37 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,669
M.O.C. #9969
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With an 05 Monty, unless it's been sitting in one place for the past 7 years there is probably nothing left of them.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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10-09-2012, 02:45 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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I fully agree with mhs4771 ... you've probably got alot of rusty dust in your spring eyes.
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10-09-2012, 05:11 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,387
M.O.C. #8728
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X3
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10-09-2012, 06:31 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,795
M.O.C. #7560
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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!
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10-10-2012, 01:52 PM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: St Catharines
Posts: 176
M.O.C. #6415
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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.
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10-18-2012, 04:25 PM
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#9
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Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Marlborough
Posts: 11
M.O.C. #8408
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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.
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10-19-2012, 11:51 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Montgomery
Posts: 506
M.O.C. #7196
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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.
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10-19-2012, 12:51 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Grand Blanc
Posts: 916
M.O.C. #2216
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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...
__________________
Jim & Bev
2011 3465 SA
2015 GMC Sierra 3500HD Duramax Crew Cab
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10-19-2012, 03:24 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Vermontville
Posts: 1,129
M.O.C. #9045
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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.
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10-19-2012, 04:02 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Benson
Posts: 3,121
M.O.C. #1658
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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.
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10-20-2012, 03:47 AM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: No. Attleboro
Posts: 338
M.O.C. #6002
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Nice job Garlic.. Very interesting
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10-21-2012, 03:27 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Vermontville
Posts: 1,129
M.O.C. #9045
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Quote:
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.
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It's my understanding that with the upgrade kit for the never fail bushing includes the new heavier shackles also.
Dave
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10-21-2012, 03:41 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Benson
Posts: 3,121
M.O.C. #1658
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Champ_49
Quote:
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.
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It's my understanding that with the upgrade kit for the never fail bushing includes the new heavier shackles also.
Dave
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That would make it a good alternative to the wet bolts then
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10-22-2012, 02:37 PM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 214
M.O.C. #3933
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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.
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10-22-2012, 02:47 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Shelburne
Posts: 688
M.O.C. #8693
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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.
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