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Old 08-29-2015, 06:08 AM   #1
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Spring shackles flipping

Anyone ever have this problem?
I've owned our 92 Solaris for 11 years and never had this happen, but now, with our 2007 2499, when I jacked all four wheel off the ground to re-grease the wheel bearings, I see that all four spring shackles have flipped to the down position. I was able to insert a pry bar between the shackle plates on one of them and get it to flip back to the up position (with a bang I might add), but does anyone know what's going on here? I found another trailer site where someone mentioned having this problem and some of the answers were that the spring perches were too far apart. That makes sense to me, but it seems like such an elementary thing for the frame builder to get that right.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Rich
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Old 08-29-2015, 04:03 PM   #2
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Guess it depends on how you jacked it up.
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Old 08-29-2015, 07:50 PM   #3
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Guess it depends on how you jacked it up.
Maybe. When I got it back down on all four tires, it remained flipped and when I started to move it, it flipped back the right way (again with a bang).
Maybe I have to take some precaution to keep it from flipping next time I have to raise it? Maybe a piece of steel bent at the ends to hook over the spring ends? I just wonder if their is something wrong with the way it was assembled when it was built.
Rich
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Old 09-01-2015, 02:43 PM   #4
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Hi Rich,

I had this problem with our Sunline after installing the Dexter EZ-Flex.
However, it only happened on 1 side, but that's probably because I didn't jack both wheels off the ground at the same time.
If I remember correctly, I would jack up the tire opposite of the flip and eventually the spring would flip back into place with a big bang. Scared the crap out of me the 1st time I did it.
I called Dexter and that's how they told me to get it to flip back into place.
They said it would happen if the tire/trailer was jacked up too high.
Hope this helps some.
Hutch
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Old 09-01-2015, 08:13 PM   #5
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Tom, I guess that's what it is. I may not have ever raised all four wheels off the ground at the same time. Or maybe not even both on one side at the same time, I don't remember.
Yes, that bang is pretty unnerving isn't it!
I'll be more mindful of the situation next time.
Rich
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Old 09-02-2015, 02:28 PM   #6
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Here's an interesting update: The trailer is at a shop being inspected and the guy calls me to say that the spring bushings and shackles are worn out, need to be replaced. I told him the previous owner had it parked at a campground all the time he owned it (since new) and I tend to believe him since the tires, which had excellent tread were dated the same year as the trailer.
He said the bushings are cheap plastic. I said right, that's what they all are.
Anyway, I either have him do the work at about $400.00 or take it back and do it myself after buying the parts, found here if they are the correct ones; Suspension Kit Trailer Suspension | etrailer.com
but then I'd have to bring it back etc, etc. I may just have him do it to avoid the hassle.
Rich
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Old 09-03-2015, 03:54 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vcrt View Post
Here's an interesting update: The trailer is at a shop being inspected and the guy calls me to say that the spring bushings and shackles are worn out, need to be replaced. I told him the previous owner had it parked at a campground all the time he owned it (since new) and I tend to believe him since the tires, which had excellent tread were dated the same year as the trailer.
He said the bushings are cheap plastic. I said right, that's what they all are.
Anyway, I either have him do the work at about $400.00 or take it back and do it myself after buying the parts, found here if they are the correct ones; Suspension Kit Trailer Suspension | etrailer.com
but then I'd have to bring it back etc, etc. I may just have him do it to avoid the hassle.
Rich
Think about upgrading to the kit with bronze bushings, wet bolts, heavy shackles and equalizers. Worth it, in my opinion. I did it - very easy.
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Old 09-03-2015, 04:27 PM   #8
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They're already on order Tod, I saw that on another forum and I agree they're worth it, especially since I'll install them myself and be saving the labor.
Thanks,
Rich
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Old 09-03-2015, 05:36 PM   #9
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They're already on order Tod, I saw that on another forum and I agree they're worth it, especially since I'll install them myself and be saving the labor.
Thanks,
Rich
Good. You will be shocked how much heavier the new ones are.
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Old 09-08-2015, 07:36 PM   #10
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Smile

Just finished the job, yes, those shackle plates are much thicker than the originals, maybe 2-1/2 times thicker. Actually, the plastic sleeves I pulled out of the spring eyes were in good shape, the slack was in the plates, not because they were elongated from wear, I think they were just made that way. These were probably not Dexter parts since the axles are Axletek, a Chinese brand.
But now, it's heavy shackle plates, bronze sleeves and bolts with grease fittings, all Dexter parts
Rich
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Old 09-10-2015, 07:01 PM   #11
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Here's some photos, first the original:



Here's the new heavy duty shackle:


Rich
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