Sway bar issue

Jason.rhodes86 · 06-26-2022, 07:47 AM

Took a trip this weekend and when I got there, I couldn’t get one sway bar off at first because the bracket had shifted and bent the L pin. I was able to kick the bar and released the tension enough I could pull the pin and get the bar off. I loosened the bolts and put the bracket back to where it looked like it was and tightened everything down best I could.

It seemed to hold on the trip back but I did notice when I went to take them off, there was tension on both L pins and they both appeared to be a little bent, which would indicate some pretty good outward pressure from the bar. Is this normal or something I need to do something about.

I attached a picture of the initial bracket issue that I believe I fixed and also two pictures of the L pin before I pulled it tonight. You can see the top is bent a little out and the bars have pressure on it, not up against the bracket.

**chuckster57** · 06-26-2022, 07:58 AM

unless you took it out, it looks like you have a bolt missing at the bottom of the bracket. Are you lifting the tongue to release pressure before you remove the bars?

Jason.rhodes86 · 06-26-2022, 07:59 AM

Not missing a bolt. The bottom bolt holds the main bracket on. The two you can see simply attaché the L bracket to the main bracket.

Yes I lift to take bars off

**chuckster57** · 06-26-2022, 08:04 AM

I didnt see it that's why I asked. If the bracket is shifting it needs to be tightened to the frame better. How far back are the brackets on the A frame from the ball?

Jason.rhodes86 · 06-26-2022, 08:07 AM

Yeah I tightened back down. I think I solved that issue. My main concern is the L pins bending because of outward pressure from the bars.

**chuckster57** · 06-26-2022, 08:34 AM

I dontremember if they are 90 degrees new or not. You might want to think about adding these:

https://www.amazon.com/Bracket-Elimi...261225&sr=8-25

markcee · 06-26-2022, 09:00 AM

I may be missing them in the pic, but if that's an Equal-i-Zer, aren't there supposed to be bolts above and below the frame rail, essentially boxing in both sides of the bracket assembly to the frame?

Also ensure the bolts are torqued correctly...I believe it's 75 flbs for the L-bracket bolts.

Here's the manual: https://www.equalizerhitch.com/manua...-owners-manual

Jason.rhodes86 · 06-26-2022, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markcee

I may be missing them in the pic, but if that's an Equal-i-Zer, aren't there supposed to be bolts above and below the frame rail, essentially boxing in both sides of the bracket assembly to the frame?

Also ensure the bolts are torqued correctly...I believe it's 75 flbs for the L-bracket bolts.

Here's the manual: https://www.equalizerhitch.com/manua...-owners-manual

Yeah they are there, top and bottom

markcee · 06-26-2022, 09:19 AM

Sorry, didn't see Chuckster had addressed the bolt thing already.

I just don't see either a bolt head or nut on either the top or bottom bolts that hold the assembly in place to the frame.

**chuckster57** · 06-26-2022, 09:29 AM

The outside mounting plate has a recess for the bolt head, and the two studs for the saddles. I brain froze this morning.

**flybouy** · 06-26-2022, 10:01 AM

Looks to me like stove bolts top and bottom.

Jason.rhodes86 · 06-26-2022, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markcee

Sorry, didn't see Chuckster had addressed the bolt thing already.

I just don't see either a bolt head or nut on either the top or bottom bolts that hold the assembly in place to the frame.

This one is different. It’s two separate pieces. The top and bottom bolts only bolt the main piece to the frame. Then the two mount the other piece to it.

Jason.rhodes86 · 06-26-2022, 10:39 AM

It mounts like this

**chuckster57** · 06-26-2022, 10:49 AM

one little brain fart and look what happens

**sourdough** · 06-26-2022, 11:10 AM

My Equalizer wanted to shift a bit but the bolts through the side brackets were so close to the frame top and bottom that it could only shift a bit. I do believe it was bolted like the example mark posted. It's disassembled out at the barn at the moment.

The shifting bracket could be caused by the bolts not being tight enough or positioned wrong to keep it from shifting. Also have you made sure that those brackets are absolutely flat against the sides of the frame vs maybe the top or bottom being a little tighter causing the bracket to be unsquare and lose "grip"?

I believe those drop in brackets are 90 degrees. Never bent one (that would take a lot) but I have lost them and carried spares. How high are you raising the hitch with the jack? I could always raise my bars well above the L brackets if I wanted to but definitely didn't have to kick/pry them off.

Balvar24 · 06-27-2022, 12:53 PM

Couple of things to look at.

When hooked up with the trailer loaded and hitched - how close are the spring bars to being parallel with the trailer frame? If not, this could encourage walking.

What's the weight rating on the bars compared to your tongue weight (loaded)?

You should be able to lift the trailer with your jack (on near level ground anyway) to take the pressure off the bars to remove them.

I've often wondered if a spacer to take up the space between the trailer frame and bracket bolts wouldn't help prevent the bracket from "walking."

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