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10-20-2014, 05:46 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 178
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Wet bolt installation questions
I just picked up a wet bolt kit for our 5th wheel. I have been procrastinating for a year now. Decided to do it this weekend. The 5th wheel came with the E-Z flex equalizer but with nylon bushings and standard bolts. I have all 14 wet bolts, brass bushings and shackles to do the job.
Is it O.K. to jack up the 5th wheel while connected to the truck? I assumed it would be safer then leaving the 5th wheel on the front landing gear.
Do I need to install a wet bolt in the pivot point of the E-Z flex equalizer (top bolt)?
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10-20-2014, 06:02 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 1,605
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When I installed my wet bolts, I left trailer hitched to truck for additional support. I replaced all bolts and the equalizer.
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10-20-2014, 06:29 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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If you can it is safer to leave it hooked to truck.
If you have E-Z Flex equalizer you already can lube the center bolt as shown in photo. The two grease fittings at the top.
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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
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10-20-2014, 07:28 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Vernon
Posts: 330
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That's what I did it made the trailer very stable especially when jacking it up. FYI the Moryde CRE 3000 that cane standard with our trailer had brass bushings not nylon and they were in great shape. Removal of the old nylon bushings was easy as they had fallen apart and just pushed out. For the install of the new brass bushings I used one of the old shackle bolts that I cut shorter then inserted it in the new brass bushing then used a large C clamp to push it in last of all make sure that when you install the bolts don't have the lube hole pointing up or down or you will have difficulty getting grease thru.
You will be happy with the secure feeling and the lack of creaking and groaning when turning
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10-20-2014, 07:29 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 178
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Thanks for the replies. I do have the two grease fittings on top. I won't remove that bolt. I guess I'll have two extra wet bolts.
I will leave it hooked to the truck and do one side at a time. I have two bottle jacks, a large floor jack and two jack stands. A friend is bringing a 12" C clamp. I should have everything I need.
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10-20-2014, 07:29 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central San Joaguin Valley, CA
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I added the wet bolt kit to our "Equaflex" suspension. ( I didn't go to the Dexter equalizers because Lippert shipped me a new set of Equaflex under warranty).
Yes I did install a wet bolt on the upper center pivot. You will need a total of 18 bolts.
On Edit: I understood your post to say that you had the Equaflex (TrailAir) equalizers. If you have the Dexter equalizers my info will not apply.
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2018 Laredo 298 SRL
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10-20-2014, 07:49 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 178
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jsmith948
I added the wet bolt kit to our "Equaflex" suspension. ( I didn't go to the Dexter equalizers because Lippert shipped me a new set of Equaflex under warranty).
Yes I did install a wet bolt on the upper center pivot. You will need a total of 18 bolts.
On Edit: I understood your post to say that you had the Equaflex (TrailAir) equalizers. If you have the Dexter equalizers my info will not apply.
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I have the EZ Flex (same as Hank's picture). The trailer came with it. I got 14 wet bolts, 8 shackles and 14 brass bushings with the kit (no equalizer). I think I will only need 8 bushings & 12 wet bolts. I will know better when I take it apart.
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10-20-2014, 08:00 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 211
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This is just my opinion, but I would recommend renting a ball joint press from a local auto parts place. I tried a 10" C-clamp and couldn't get it to work because of the swivel head, also couldn't get enough grunt on the handle to run the bolts in. I tried using a 12" adjustable wrench to tighten the C-clamp (hole in the end of the handle over the hand of the C-clamp) only managed to bend the handle of the C-clamp. Rented the ball joint press from O'Reilly's Auto Parts, $126, but you get it back when you return the press so it really cost you $0. Works 1000X's better than a C-clamp and well worth getting.
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10-20-2014, 08:39 AM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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JMHO ..... Where you can, face the grease fittings to the inside so they can be greased without removing the wheels. The bushing on the spring-hanger end will egg shape slightly due to the shape of the spring eye. Point the bolts port towards the opening in the spring eye so grease can flow easily. If the shackles you received are thicker than the stock ones, you will need to use the supplied longer bolts. JM2˘, Hank
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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
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10-20-2014, 08:47 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 178
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hankpage
JMHO ..... Where you can, face the grease fittings to the inside so they can be greased without removing the wheels. The bushing on the spring-hanger end will egg shape slightly due to the shape of the spring eye. Point the bolts port towards the opening in the spring eye so grease can flow easily. If the shackles you received are thicker than the stock ones, you will need to use the supplied longer bolts. JM2˘, Hank
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Thanks Hank. I'll do that.
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10-20-2014, 08:49 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Toronto
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Laredo291OH
This is just my opinion, but I would recommend renting a ball joint press from a local auto parts place. I tried a 10" C-clamp and couldn't get it to work because of the swivel head, also couldn't get enough grunt on the handle to run the bolts in. I tried using a 12" adjustable wrench to tighten the C-clamp (hole in the end of the handle over the hand of the C-clamp) only managed to bend the handle of the C-clamp. Rented the ball joint press from O'Reilly's Auto Parts, $126, but you get it back when you return the press so it really cost you $0. Works 1000X's better than a C-clamp and well worth getting.
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Was it a problem pressing in the bushings or the wet bolts? The kit came with the wet bolts pressed into the shackles.
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2019 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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10-20-2014, 10:59 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 105
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As I read the instructions that came with my kit, it says to use anti-seize compound on the installation of the equalizer bolt. Grease does not make it to that bolt. Different torque as well.
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10-20-2014, 11:15 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 178
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Thanks, I didn't get instructions with the kit. I did read that the EZ Flex bolt should be torqued to 75 ft. lb. and the other bolts at 50.
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2017 Passport Elite 19RB
2019 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
2017 Ford F350 Lariat 4X4 CC 6.7
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10-20-2014, 12:23 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grampscamper
Thanks, I didn't get instructions with the kit. I did read that the EZ Flex bolt should be torqued to 75 ft. lb. and the other bolts at 50.
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Torque the nuts not the bolts as some bolts are knurled and get pressed in or pulled in by the nut. These bolts are not supposed to turn. If they do turn ... peen around the hole with a center punch to tighten up the hole.
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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
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10-20-2014, 02:40 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 178
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hankpage
Torque the nuts not the bolts as some bolts are knurled and get pressed in or pulled in by the nut. These bolts are not supposed to turn. If they do turn ... peen around the hole with a center punch to tighten up the hole.
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Thanks Hank. I should have said nuts not bolts. I found an earlier post that explains how to install the kit. Actually it may be one of your earlier posts that I was looking at.
Are you busy Saturday?
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2017 Passport Elite 19RB
2019 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
2017 Ford F350 Lariat 4X4 CC 6.7
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10-20-2014, 03:22 PM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grampscamper
Thanks Hank. I should have said nuts not bolts. I found an earlier post that explains how to install the kit. Actually it may be one of your earlier posts that I was looking at.
Are you busy Saturday?
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Sorry, Nice try ..... but this time of year North is not the direction I am traveling. Although I will be here for moral support. Hank
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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
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10-21-2014, 02:37 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 178
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I don't blame you but it's supposed to be nice here on the weekend.
Maybe we should be heading south too.
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2017 Passport Elite 19RB
2019 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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10-21-2014, 03:18 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 211
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Used the ball joint press for the bolt in the center of your E-Z flex and both the front and rear bolts where there is no shackle, just tightening the nut wouldn't pull the serrations on the bolt thru the hanger. Also did like Hank said, put the grease fittings to the inside, makes it much easier to grease in the future. All of my bushings slid in easily, or just a light tap with a hammer. I also used a wetbolt for the EZ flex hanger, pretty sure those grease fittings are for the pivot of the EZ flex, not for the bolt, but it's been awhile since I installed and I could be wrong about that.
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10-21-2014, 04:56 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 1,910
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grampscamper
Thanks, I didn't get instructions with the kit. I did read that the EZ Flex bolt should be torqued to 75 ft. lb. and the other bolts at 50.
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You can download complete instructions from Dexter's website.
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10-21-2014, 05:21 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 178
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Laredo291OH
Used the ball joint press for the bolt in the center of your E-Z flex and both the front and rear bolts where there is no shackle, just tightening the nut wouldn't pull the serrations on the bolt thru the hanger. Also did like Hank said, put the grease fittings to the inside, makes it much easier to grease in the future. All of my bushings slid in easily, or just a light tap with a hammer. I also used a wetbolt for the EZ flex hanger, pretty sure those grease fittings are for the pivot of the EZ flex, not for the bolt, but it's been awhile since I installed and I could be wrong about that.
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Thanks. Unfortunately there isn't a rental place or an auto store near the place I plan to do the installation. I will try the large C clamp first. If it doesn't work I'll have to get the ball joint tool. The EZ Flex is already installed so I'm debating whether I will just leave the center bolt alone.
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