Steveque
Central California
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Installing shocks is not all that difficult. I would post the place I bought mine but I sustained a major computer crisis lately and all that information is sitting on my floor, locked away for ever on the broken hard drive.
Locating the place on the frame to drill for the upper shock mount was straight forward in the instructions from Monroe. I did buy an extra long drill bit to drill all the way through the 4" box frame.
If you contact Barney he probably still has the Monroe shock information.
Steve Quesenberry
Central California
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JBarca
Radnor, Ohio, USA
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Joined: 12/16/2004
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For those following about Monroe Magnum trailer schock info. I just bought mine from here Schock Warehouse Just came last week.
However the Monroe mounting brackets are on major back order, months worth. So I will be making my own shock mounts unless someone here knows where to purchase the RB512 and RB513 mounting kit.
John
Note: That site I linked to above has the Monroe mounting instructions.
John & Cindy
2005 Ford F350 Super Duty, 4x4; 6.8L V10 with 4.10
CC, SB, Lariat & FX4 package
21,000 GCWR, 11,000 GVWR
Ford Tow Command
1,700# Reese HP hitch & HP Dual Cam
2 1/2" Towbeast Receiver
2004 Sunline Solaris T310SR
(I wish we were camping!)
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LAdams
Northern Illinois
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Keep us informed regarding the shock job guys - I'm kind of interested in that myself...
Les
2000 Ford F-250SD, XLT, 4X4 Off Road, SuperCab
w/ 6.8L (415 C.I.) V-10/3:73LS/4R100
Banks Power Pack w/Trans Command & OttoMind
Sold Trailer - not RV'ing at this point in time
HUNTER THERMOSTAT INSTALL
HOME MADE WHEEL CHOCKS
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Just Lee
California
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Joined: 02/02/2004
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This is a awesome post thanks... I did a search for the Dexter E-Z Flex Suspension Kit and OH MY did the price go up. My trailer is Brand New (in fact I have not picked it up from the dealer yet) and from what I have been reading is that this is a GREAT up-grade. We just drove I-40 through Arkansas with out the trailer and I have a feeling that I better do the upgrade ASAP...
$241.95 at Trailer Parts Superstore... Is there a better price out there???
Thanks again for this Post and the details..... Lee
* This post was
edited 02/22/09 08:29pm by an administrator/moderator *
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JBarca
Radnor, Ohio, USA
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Lee in Tennessee wrote:
$241.95 at Trailer Parts Superstore... Is there a better price out there???
Mine just arrived this week from Eastern Marine which I think is what you are referring to as the Trailer Parts Super store. They where good to deal with and showed up promptly. Actually Dexter has then about $2.50 cheaper but there on line store is down. Have to call. EZ flex at Dexter site
But I did get from Eastern Marine the self adjusting Dexter 12 x 2 Nev-R-Adjust brakes. Complete backing plate, shoes, magnet and all for $39.95 a wheel on special. They came complete in the Dexter box. And amazingly they are $57 normally 12" Never Adjust but are $129 each wheel at the Dexter site....Nev-R-Adjust I guess the mark up is pretty big on these things.
I have not found the EZ Flex any cheaper then the $240 area and I have been searching for the last 3 months, finally made up my mind and went EZ flex over the Trail Air version. I now have a large pile of suspension stuff to install once the snow goes down and the temps at least get above freezing.
John
* This post was
edited 01/31/09 08:44pm by JBarca *
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Just Lee
California
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Yes it was Eastern Marine I was talking about...
Well John I am going to take you at your word and not search and search I will be ordering mine on Monday. I need to get it as soon as I can. We have plans on making a big trip to this spring to the West Coast. I don't have to wait on snow I just have to wait for it to warm up. These old bones don't like crawling around on cold cold concrete......
* This post was
edited 02/22/09 08:30pm by an administrator/moderator *
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BL6
SW Michigan
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Do you guys think this will put less stress on tires as you happen to drive over a "woop-de-doo" etc?
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JBarca
Radnor, Ohio, USA
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Fellow Campers
Les did a great job inspiring a number of us here. They BarneyS followed and well now me too.... I was almost going to go with the Trail Air unit then I switched to the EZ Flex. To add to Les’s great collection here is my install. Concepts are the same on our approach, though some of the tools and methods slightly different.
For those thinking about doing this upgrade, here are the details of how my install went. For those wanting to do this themselves, this is somewhat involved and should only be attempted if you feel confident you can do this safely.
First off I bought what Dexter calls the heavy duty shackle and wet bolt kit upgrade along with the EZ Flex. And I highly recommend doing the heavy duty shackles and wet bolt kit upgrade even if you do not do the equalizer upgrade. The bronze bushings, greaseable pins and heavy shackles are worth it and make the suspension last longer for not a lot of cost.
I’ll do this post mainly with pic’s to keep the typing down and so you can see install in action. There are others ways to do this install using different tools and methods, just this way fit the tools and equipment I had.
First off what comes in the kit. You get all the parts you need for the rebuild. There is also instructions.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/3DexterEZFlex.jpg)
Here side by side you can see the difference in the standard shackle links and the heavy duty ones. The thicker links provide more bearing surface to hold the shackles more rigid as the holes in the standard ones were starting to wear.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/22HeavyDutyShackle.jpg)
Now to the install. First is to jack up the TT. I lifted both sides one at a time and placed qty 4, 6 ton jack stands at the wheel area of the frame and leveled out the tongue jack so the frame was resting on all 4 jacks even along with the tongue jack. Place the floor jack behind the axle on the main frame as you are jacking either side of the TT. A word of caution, do not trust just a jack to hold the TT up for this type of work. You need heavy jack stands with excess capacity for stability.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/1JackingTTup.jpg)
I also removed all 4 wheels. Prior to jacking the TT up I put 4 bottle jacks under each axle to just touch the spring U bolt plate of the axle. More on the bottle jacks later and why I need them.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/2Tiresoff.jpg)
Here you can see the bottle jacks. You can raise/lower this jack so the springs you are working on are loose. You can feel the shackle wiggle when there is no load on them. This will hold the axle when you pull out the pins.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/4Jackunderaxle.jpg)
Next you start by taking the pivot pins out. I squirted up all nuts with penetrating oil to help the removal process. NOTE: Make sure you place a wrench on the back side of the pin when you take the nut off. If not, you can strip the pin in the frame hanger hole and enlarge the hole to where the new pin will spin. I used an impact wrench, if you do not have one, a ½ breaker bar will be needed as they get pretty rusted on.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/5Wrenchonback.jpg)
Once removed, I screw the nut on a few threads and use a center punch (prick punch) to drive out the pin. Once you break the pin free, you can take the nut off. I used the nut to prevent the punch from slipping off as sometimes the pin is really rusted in.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/6Pricpunch.jpg)
Then move to the shackle.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/7removeshackle.jpg)
Now the spring is completely loose from the frame on this one side. The jack is holding this end up and the opposite side of the TT spring is holding the other end. You can now easily move the spring and axle up and down and left to right on the end you are working on.
You can now take off the other spring pins and the equalizer and shackle. Both axles are now free from the TT on this one side.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/10Bushingsout.jpg)
Also here is what you can run into. A galled up nut. Fortunately I had air tools and could power this off, but by hand this would be a real deal to contend with. It may be you have to crack the nut to get them off if they strip. I only had one gall up, and it was enough.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/26Gallup.jpg)
Now comes to drive out the old nylon bushings. You can see here how worn they can get.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/27bushingwear.jpg)
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/8nylonbushing.jpg)
Just use a small blunt nose punch to drive out the nylon bushing. On the spring ends by the frame hangers, lower the bottle jack and the spring eye will be exposed to drive out the bushing.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/9driveoutbushing.jpg)
Now comes the install process. Find one of the old pins and grind off the serrations to use as a pilot pin to press in the new bushings.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/11Bushingdrivingpin.jpg)
Then you need a bushing press kit. I used a 12” large C clamp and some 1/2 sockets. The socket needs to be large enough the thread end of the pin will not get hung up in it.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/12Cclampbushingpress.jpg)
And then nice and easy press in the new bronze bushings. The Dexter instructions say you can drive in the bushing using a protective pin but I like the screw clamp that can be controlled better and leaves no impact marks.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/13Bushingpressing.jpg)
Here is the bushing when done. And the spring dropped down at the hanger so you can work on it.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/14Bushinginstalled.jpg)
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/15Springreadytoinstall.jpg)
Next is inserting the pins. I start with the frame hangers. Again need a different socket to go over the grease fitting for pressing. Also to note is the hole where the grease comes out. The hole needs to be horizontal and I have it pointing towards the play end of the bushing. Meaning the hole to point to where the play will be when running down the road. If you have the hole straight up, then the weight of the TT is on it and the grease has a hard time getting in plus the bushings wear material plugs up the hole. So my front hanger pins have the hole pointing forward to the front of the TT. (At the 3:00 O’clock position while facing)
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/16wetboltsocket.jpg)
I then grease up the pin and the serrations and insert in the hole. I use the bottle jack to lift the spring. I can also grab by hand the entire end of the axle and move it left to right as needed to get a test pin in to line up the hole/spring in before putting the final one in. Then nice and even press in the pin using the clamp. Make sure the head of the pin is all the way to the hanger.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/18Wetboltpress.jpg)
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/17Wetboltinstall.jpg)
Once the hanger pins are in, the EZ Flex is next. They have a swedged nut as a lock nut. There are impressions in the swedged end. The nut goes on so the swedged end is outwards so you do not fight it all the way on.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/19Equalizerbolt.jpg)
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/20swedgednut.jpg)
Then grease up the pin real well and the steel bushing ID of the equalizer. You can also use Never-sieze here. Intent is so that the pin does not rust solid in the equalizer. Over the years I have had better luck using grease then Never – seize but both work. Then get another socket setup and press the EZ Flex bolt in.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/21EZflexboltpress.jpg)
Then comes the shackle links. Again remember the lube hole and if the hole is on the tight side or loose side as the TT tows down the road. Since one end is pushing the spring and one end pulling the spring, they change. Since the link is on an angle it is on the more loose side. I also pre grease the pins by hand before inserting.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/23Shacklegreaseholes.jpg)
The shackle links may flop right on or need a little help. Again the C clamp to the rescue for the help.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/24SchackleCclamp.jpg)
Then you need to torque all the nuts. The spring and shackle pins where torqued to 50 ft lb. The center EZ Flex bolt to 75 ft lb. This is in the Dexter directions. NOTE: Make sure you use a wrench to hold the head of the pin while torquing so it will not strip out the serrations.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/25Torque.jpg)
Here is the final install
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/EZFlexinstalled.jpg)
And a close up on the EZ Flex installed.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/EZFlexinstalledcloseup.jpg)
A few other notes:
1. I bought my EZ Flex from Trailer Parts Super Store – EZ Flex for $241.95 plus shipping. You can buy it right off the Dexter web site for about $2.00 less but there online store was down and I was also buying other axle parts from Eastern Marine. I am not affiliated with them, but this is where I bought mine from and had a very good buying experience with.
The kit was for the 33” nominal axle spacing and up to 6,000 lb axles. Note: 33" does not exactly always mean 33" between the axles. It all depends on the spring length you have. My T310 axles are actually 32" apart due to spring length. The kit was Dexter E-Z Flex Suspension Kit, K71-652-00
2. I did the upgrade on my T310SR, a 10,000 lb GVWR camper using 5,000# axles that where Al-Ko. The EZ Flex is not an exact line up with the Al-Ko equalizer but I did a CAD layout and the shackles take up the majority of the difference.
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/EZFlexoveroldEqualizer.jpg)
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/JBarca/T310SR%20Camper%20Upgrades/EZ%20Flex%20Install/EZFlexonAlKo1.jpg)
EDIT: 3-13-12 updated post as I had a typo. A forum member saw this. I also added the hanger work I needed to do later on.
In my case with my AlKo Equalizer, the Dexter EZ flex will lower the camper theoretically a little less then 3/16”. More like 1/8” when loaded and maybe less as they are springs. The spring is rasied in relation to the ground and in doing so the trailer is lowered. I have found that when the rubber compresses the trailer even more lowers. I had to increase the length of the center hanger 1 1/4" to gain more tire wheel well clearance. This gained me 5/8" more tire clearance to put me back to where I started. I later increased the length of the front and rear hangers to gain another 5/8". Over time the rubber compresses and I lost tire running clearance. I now have approx 2 1/4" to 2 1/2" tire clearance which is what I had to start with.
See here for more info on the hanger work.
TT axle alignment and hangers
TT Spring Hanger Stiffening (Long, lots of pics)
3. It seems a concern of the Dexter EZ Flex by the competition is that the rubber is exposed to sunlight. To combat this I will use 303 Protectent on the rubber and may even make a thin plastic sleeve or high grade electrical tape to cover it.
I have not yet towed with the new EZ Flex so I can’t report on that part yet. In my case this was part of a suspension upgrade/overhaul as now that I have tight bushings so I can more accurately measure the axle alignment. And I did and now I know I’m really off on both axles. That is the next phase to attack.
Hope this helps someone contemplating doing this upgrade.
John
* This post was
edited 03/13/12 10:40am by JBarca *
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LAdams
Northern Illinois
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Great job as always John - 2 thumbs up !!
![[image]](http://bestsmileys.com/thumbs/2.gif)
Les
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Just Lee
California
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Joined: 02/02/2004
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John....... Excellent post. Thank you so much between your post and LAdams I am sure others will benefit from your time and postings. There is one thing I did not quite understand that's the placement of the wet bolt grease holes. Can you tell me where the holes go in relation to a clock?
I have a brand new 5er and I want to do the same thing SOON. I know I can do it but right now I don't have the time or the tools I only have 1 set of jack stands and no bottle jack. I do have a Floor Jack and a Compressor but no impacts. We are planing a major trip from Tennessee to California in April.
I have the site bookmarked so when I do get time IT WILL BE DONE.
Again I would like to thank all of you for sharing your expertize.
2004 Meridian towing 96 Tracker
If you don't stand behind our TROOPS feel free to stand in front of them during a fire fight
In God We Trust ALL Others pay CASH
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