|
06-01-2011, 07:02 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 25
|
Dexter EZ Flex install
I have installed one side of the Cougar 5th wheel with EZ Flex bushings, shackles, and equalizer. The bronze bushings went in with no effort I literally pushed them in with my finger. Will this cause problems in wear? It seems all of the holes are just a tad larger than the bushings. There is almost no clearance but not what I consider snug. Any thoughts?
|
|
|
06-01-2011, 07:26 PM
|
#2
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fraser Valley BC Canada
Posts: 7,015
|
Over time, the shackles will become worn if there is too much play in the suspension resulting in an enlargement of the holes. In most cases, the holes become elongated at which time the shackles need to be replaced.
I would look at replacing the existing worn shackles with thicker, "beefie" ones as those that are on our units now are, at best, "cheap" and very prone to early wear. I replaced mine this Spring --- not a pretty sight!
No sense putting in your bronze bushings in the holes if they are not snug and tight fitting.
(Not sure which shackles you were referring to ... your old ones or new Dexters??....... sounds like you replaced the whole works....)
__________________
2008 Cougar 5th Wheel 27RKS
2005 2500 GMC Duramax
|
|
|
06-02-2011, 04:19 AM
|
#3
|
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 25
|
EZ Flex
These are new Dexter shackles and bushings. I am installing in a 2008 Cougar. Not sure why these bushings or holes are different from yours. How snug were your bushings?
|
|
|
06-02-2011, 05:01 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 206
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by cnbhand
These are new Dexter shackles and bushings. I am installing in a 2008 Cougar. Not sure why these bushings or holes are different from yours. How snug were your bushings?
|
Ha!!! That sounds like a personal question more appropriate for a PM... lol
__________________
Myself, the wife, 3 boys a dog and cat
2011 Laredo 303TG
2015 Chevy 2500 Crew 6l V8 4x4
Previous Trailers
2011 Jayco 17z
Previous Tows
2007 Toyota Sienna
2008 Toyota Tundra DC 5.7L V8 4x4
|
|
|
06-02-2011, 05:48 AM
|
#5
|
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 25
|
EZ Flex
I found a posting on another site addressing same problem, bushings not real snug. This person contacted Dexter and was told it is not a problem. Well I am installing the other side today and hope for the best. I will pull these shackles next year to see if there is uneven wear. Thanks for the input.
|
|
|
06-02-2011, 06:29 AM
|
#6
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fraser Valley BC Canada
Posts: 7,015
|
Sorry, cnbhand, I mistakenly thought that you were inserting new, brass bushings into your old, worn shackles.
(Note to DTJ9610 .......... My bushings are very snug, thank you!)
__________________
2008 Cougar 5th Wheel 27RKS
2005 2500 GMC Duramax
|
|
|
06-02-2011, 07:53 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Elkhart, Indiana
Posts: 420
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by cnbhand
I found a posting on another site addressing same problem, bushings not real snug. This person contacted Dexter and was told it is not a problem. Well I am installing the other side today and hope for the best. I will pull these shackles next year to see if there is uneven wear. Thanks for the input.
|
I just installed this kit about a month ago and yes the bushings are going to be a little loose in the leaf spring eyes. Once you tighten everything up and fill the bushings with grease everything will be nice and snug. When I talked to Dexter, they said this is a common problem when installing this kit on non Dexter axles and leaf springs. We just returned from an extended weekend and had no issues with the new suspension. The trailer pulled a lot nicer and a lot smoother on the back roads. I hope you enjoy yours as much as we do ours.
__________________
Phil & Janine & Lady
2004.5 Chevy 2500HD Duramax LLY CC LB 4X4
2009 Keystone Sprinter 272RLS
|
|
|
06-02-2011, 03:31 PM
|
#8
|
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 25
|
Finished up the install this PM and took it for a ride. All seems well. I will be traveling about 8K this year so will see how they hold up. By the way something to pass along to other Keystone owners. When installing the new EZ Flex I was amazed how wore the old bushings were and discovered 2 bushings that were never installed. These were not worn out they just were never installed. Owner beware!
|
|
|
07-06-2011, 01:43 PM
|
#9
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 79
|
EZ Flex
Do you guys have a problem greasing the bushings/pins? I can't get grease into them. Thks...Al
|
|
|
07-06-2011, 02:42 PM
|
#10
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by albertr
Do you guys have a problem greasing the bushings/pins? I can't get grease into them. Thks...Al
|
I have only one that is very hard to grease. I did not line up the grease hole in the bolt properly on one spring end. The rest are fine.
__________________
Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
|
|
|
07-07-2011, 09:20 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Elkhart, Indiana
Posts: 420
|
I haven't had any problems with greasing ours.
__________________
Phil & Janine & Lady
2004.5 Chevy 2500HD Duramax LLY CC LB 4X4
2009 Keystone Sprinter 272RLS
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|