Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Dexter HD Suspension & EZ-Flex Install (long w/ pictures)
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 > Dexter HD Suspension & EZ-Flex Install (long w/ pictures)

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LAdams

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Posted: 02/24/09 03:48pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Lee,

Dexter says the bolt hole should be either at the 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock position as per this picture from my article

[image]


Les


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Learjet

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Posted: 02/24/09 08:21pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Les how many miles on those nylon bushings, before the upgrade?

great job !!!


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Posted: 02/24/09 08:46pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Lee in Tennessee wrote:

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?

Again I would like to thank all of you for sharing your expertize.


Lee, thanks for the kind words.

On the hole, Les fixed you up with the 3:00 and 9:00.

Edit: 2-25-09 Changed to the 6:00 position. Learjet helped me see the error of my ways.[emoticon]

Worst position is 6:00 as all the TT weight is pushing straight down on the hole in the spring and wearing bushing dust then get's into the hole faster.

I took the 3:00 and 9:00 one step further. Basically I put the hole on the non drag side. Meaning the side with the most play, not pressure all the time. So on the front spring hanger facing it, the TT pulls the axles along so the rear position (9:00) would have the pressure against it. So I put the hole on the 3:00 side in that location as there is no pressure unless you are backing up.

And on the rear hanger, since you are pushing the spring going forward, I put the hole in the 9:00 spot.

This thought process may not buy a whole lot, but my thinking was it was a slight step up so I took it. I will never know if it is better or not. Key point, you can get grease into the bronze bushing area.

John

* This post was edited 02/25/09 06:21pm by JBarca *


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JBarca

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Posted: 02/24/09 08:51pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Learjet wrote:

Les how many miles on those nylon bushings, before the upgrade?

great job !!!


Mine where shot in about 4,000 miles. They may of been sooner, but I only checked them at that time.

For the price we pay for these TT's, bronze bushings and a wet bolt kit should be standard, or at least an option???

John

Highway 4x4

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Posted: 02/25/09 12:38am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I picked up mine today and will installing it on Sat. A very well built kit. Thanks for all the picks and install info. This should be a good time to check the brakes.


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Learjet

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Posted: 02/25/09 01:46pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

JBarca "Worst position is 12:00 as all the TT weight is pushing straight down on the hole and wearing bushing dust then get's into the hole faster. "



Depends which bolt...think about it [emoticon]

JBarca

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Posted: 02/25/09 06:19pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Learjet wrote:

JBarca "Worst position is 12:00 as all the TT weight is pushing straight down on the hole and wearing bushing dust then get's into the hole faster. "



Depends which bolt...think about it [emoticon]


H'mm OK Seems I don't know my up from down..... your right!

After more thought,

On the hangers spring bolt, the hanger bolt is pressing against the spring eye holding up the TT at the 6:00 position. Not the 12:00. So at the hanger the new "worst" position would be the 6:00 spot.

Thanks I'll go back and correct that.

At the Equalizer shackle, Dexter already put the bole in the shackle. You can only pick the hole pointing more towards forward or hole pointing more towards rearward. In this location I flipped each so as the TV pulls the trailer forward the hole was on the non loaded side. You could not pick 12 or 6:00 unless you took the bolt out and on purpose turned it.

Thanks for pointing this out.

John

Just Lee

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Posted: 02/27/09 07:18pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Well I am going to have to wait until after our trip from Tennessee to California. Out 5er is Brand new and we have been spending $$$$$$ left and right. Wife is not convinced however I have a feeling after our trip she will see why they are needed. Plus I will have more time. I have this site saved and will refer to it.... Thanks again for all the inputs and pictures they will come on handy....


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Highway 4x4

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Posted: 03/01/09 12:21am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Did mine today, all went well except now my knees are dead. The spring hanger bolt did not seat up against the spring hanger even after torqueing down the nuts. I guess I will have to press them in.

JBarca

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Posted: 03/01/09 08:53am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Highway 4x4 wrote:

Did mine today, all went well except now my knees are dead. The spring hanger bolt did not seat up against the spring hanger even after torqueing down the nuts. I guess I will have to press them in.


Highway, good for you.

The bolts, yes press them home before torquing. The nuts can and do strip trying to take the force to seat the serrations of the pin inot the hanger. They are not that high of a grade of nut. Plus if you are not holding the head of the bolt you can strip out the metal in the hanger with the serations due to the higher torque trying to seat the bolt. It is amazing how much press is required to seat the bolts. Oh and driving the them home wiht a hammer, bounces around too much. A clamp of some sorts works well.

Good luck

John

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