Bent Wet Bolt on 2021 Montana 3121RL Suspension

[Keith Hughes]

We own a 2021 3121RL Montana. I have a bent wet bolt on the right rear hanger and am posting a couple pictures showing it. The hanger that the leaf spring is attached to with this now bent wet bolt was just replaced in the spring of 2025 and reinforced with gussets and a crossbeam after the hanger was found to be bent with a cracked weld when I had the RV into my dealership for its annual service work. I am also posting some prior pics of the bent hanger, cracked weld and reinforcements made.
Here are my questions:
1. Any thoughts on what could have caused this wet bolt to bend like this?
2. Does anyone know the size of this wet bolt (its length and diameter) as well as the name of a brand of wet bolt and supplier I could obtain one from?
3. I think the brass bushing in the leaf spring should also be replaced. Does anyone know the size of the bushing as well as the name of a brand of bushing and supplier I could obtain one from?

 

[DutchmenSport]

I don't know about the size of the bolts and such, but I do know you need to get that crack welded up before hitting the road again. I don't know what would have caused the bolt to bend either, but something did. A hard hit bump, and twist of the axle when backing up or turning sharp, anything could have caused that.

I had a blow out last July 4 (of all days for it to happen). I think the blow-out was caused because the tire ran clear out of alignment. The leaf springs were whacked out of alignment and about ready to separate from each other and the little hanger that holds them together was bent clear out of whack.

I was able to get it home (some 500 miles farther down the road), and eventually got an appointment from my local dealer which resulted in replacing the springs and everything attached to them on both sides. Lucky, the frame and hangers were not bent, just the leaf springs and the hanger that held them together. The cost ... well ... let me just say ... "What's money anyway? After all ... we've got to spend it on something anyway, eventually? Right!"

 

[Keith Hughes]

I don't know about the size of the bolts and such, but I do know you need to get that crack welded up before hitting the road again. I don't know what would have caused the bolt to bend either, but something did. A hard hit bump, and twist of the axle when backing up or turning sharp, anything could have caused that.

I had a blow out last July 4 (of all days for it to happen). I think the blow-out was caused because the tire ran clear out of alignment. The leaf springs were whacked out of alignment and about ready to separate from each other and the little hanger that holds them together was bent clear out of whack.

I was able to get it home (some 500 miles farther down the road), and eventually got an appointment from my local dealer which resulted in replacing the springs and everything attached to them on both sides. Lucky, the frame and hangers were not bent, just the leaf springs and the hanger that held them together. The cost ... well ... let me just say ... "What's money anyway? After all ... we've got to spend it on something anyway, eventually? Right!"

The repairs to the bent hanger with the cracked weld were made last spring along with the additional reinforcements. The bent wet bolt is recent and since then.

 

[MandK]

The wet bolts are usually known to break, bending is unusual.
From my notes:
The spring eye bushings are .698 x .575 x 1.74 Dexter#
K71-291-00

The wet bolts for the SPRING HANGERS WELDED TO THE FRAME are 9/16” x 2 15/16” (2 7/8” o.a.l. From shoulder) drawing below with e-trailer part number.

The wet bolts for the spring eyes HELD BY THE ROAD ARMOR EQUALIZER WITH THE HD SHACKLE PLATES that are 1/2” thick are 9/16” x 2 13/16” (3 3/8” o.a.l. From shoulder) drawing below with e-trailer part number.
The flange nuts for those wet bolts are 7/16-20. They are interference fit so they self lock.

Unfortunately, I had to buy many of these for my 2021 3121.
I bought them from e-trailer, but they are available elsewhere.
Good luck.

 

[scottz]

The wet bolts on the hanger end of the springs is a different length than the ones on the shackle ends of the spring. You probably need the top bolt referenced by M&K; I measured it at 3". If your rig has thin shackles, replace them with thick ones and longer wet bolts. Once you find the correct parts, carry a couple extra wet bolts and some grease; I have had to change them on the side of the road. You might consider buying a complete kit; at some point you will be changing all the bushings; mine were trashed after 35k (bronze bushings, not the plastic junk the factory puts in). Much cheaper buying a complete kit than piece-by-piece.

Bushings

Complete kit on Amazon with thick shackles

Shackle kit but cheaper to buy complete kit

Complete kit for sale by member

Parts for sale by member

My bushings after 35k miles

 

[LeftOverParts]

Looks like the head of the bolt is working it self out and the way it is gapped on the top half on both ends looks to me like the bolt might be broken - the weight of the trailer on hanger relative to the spring eye is pushing the bolt downwards.

When you get your replacement bolt and have the weight off the hanger to swap out the bolt, the old bolt might just spin when you attempt to loosen the nut.

 

[MandK]

We are in Florida for the winter and the “parts for sale by member” listed in the link by scottz above are not with me because we have I.S. now so they are not available. Sorry.

 

[Keith Hughes]

The wet bolts are usually known to break, bending is unusual.
From my notes:
The spring eye bushings are .698 x .575 x 1.74 Dexter#
K71-291-00

The wet bolts for the SPRING HANGERS WELDED TO THE FRAME are 9/16” x 2 15/16” (2 7/8” o.a.l. From shoulder) drawing below with e-trailer part number.

The wet bolts for the spring eyes HELD BY THE ROAD ARMOR EQUALIZER WITH THE HD SHACKLE PLATES that are 1/2” thick are 9/16” x 2 13/16” (3 3/8” o.a.l. From shoulder) drawing below with e-trailer part number.
The flange nuts for those wet bolts are 7/16-20. They are interference fit so they self lock.

Unfortunately, I had to buy many of these for my 2021 3121.
I bought them from e-trailer, but they are available elsewhere.
Good luck.
View attachment 2426562

View attachment 2426561

Thanks MandK for the excellent information! Just what I needed to order the parts.

 

[Keith Hughes]

The wet bolts on the hanger end of the springs is a different length than the ones on the shackle ends of the spring. You probably need the top bolt referenced by M&K; I measured it at 3". If your rig has thin shackles, replace them with thick ones and longer wet bolts. Once you find the correct parts, carry a couple extra wet bolts and some grease; I have had to change them on the side of the road. You might consider buying a complete kit; at some point you will be changing all the bushings; mine were trashed after 35k (bronze bushings, not the plastic junk the factory puts in). Much cheaper buying a complete kit than piece-by-piece.

Bushings

Complete kit on Amazon with thick shackles

Shackle kit but cheaper to buy complete kit

Complete kit for sale by member

Parts for sale by member

My bushings after 35k miles
View attachment 2426692

Thanks for the help!

 

[Keith Hughes]

Looks like the head of the bolt is working it self out and the way it is gapped on the top half on both ends looks to me like the bolt might be broken - the weight of the trailer on hanger relative to the spring eye is pushing the bolt downwards.

When you get your replacement bolt and have the weight off the hanger to swap out the bolt, the old bolt might just spin when you attempt to loosen the nut.

Good to know... thanks!

 

[Dfb]

I replaced the wet bolts after one on the right rear spring broke with solid bolts.

 

[snowbirdsRus]

This is how I beefed up my spring hangers on all four wheels after the problem I had. This has worked fine for over 7 years.