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

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Topic: Dexter HD Suspension & EZ-Flex Install (long w/ pictures)

Posted By: Learjet on 04/08/10 08:15pm

ditto, unless you un-bolt the axle springs from the axle or get out the torch to move the frame hangers, you will not change the alignment.

2017 Ram Big Horn, DRW Long Box, 4x4, Cummins, Aisin, 3.73
2022 Jayco Pinnacle 32RLTS, Onan 5500, Disc Brakes, 17.5" tires
B&W Ram Companion

Posted By: pritch272 on 04/11/10 05:08pm

Wow, what an all day affair. Bought the kit last June and finally got to installing it. Good kit, but a royal PITA. I ended up doing one side in 3.5 hours. Then I fell over backwards on the tire on the ground, hurt my arm, so did the other side 1 handed, still took 3.5 hours for the other side. My inserts were still in good shape, so could have left them for another year or three. Currently have a little over 8700 miles on the rig.

The only thing I can add is that I used a ground down old bolt to get the new bushings in, worked really great, they pushed out the old as the new were being pounded in.

[image]

2007 Keystone Laredo 29RL, 2000 Ford F250 7.3 PSD, Firestone bags, Pressure Pro, 16" Michelin XPS Ribs, MorRyde Pin Box, Dexter EZ-Flex, PI EMS-HW30C, Dirt Devil CV950 Central Vacuum, 2000W AllPower by Kipor, 4000/3500W Champion C46540

Posted By: birdman7389 on 04/12/10 01:53am

I used a 11 or 12mm 1/4" drive socket with an extension to get the old plastic bushings out, and a c-clamp to put the bronze ones in. Was not hard at all on mine, no special tools or excessive hammer pounding.

Posted By: pritch272 on 04/12/10 02:33am

Perhaps "pounded" was too stern of a verb, let's say I used the hammer to tap the bushings in which pushed the old ones out really nice. The key is to use an old bolt with the ridges ground off.

Glad I brought a C-clamp with me, came in handy holding the plates together while "pounding" the old bolts out. Putting penetrating oil on the old hardware the day before I'm sure had to have helped.

[image]

This 3-in-1 ball joint press service kit from HF was well worth the $30 I spent on it... It's pretty heavy, especially when I had to finish up the second side one-armed.

[image]

As another poster noted, the C-clamp is useful in getting the plates in position.

[image]

Had to use some help to align the outboard spring eye, just enough off I needed the assist.

[image]

Many thanks to all the previous posters in this thread whose helpful tips made the difference in a manageable install vs one plagued with problems, as I'm sure I would have had.

Now, if I hadn't fallen over backwards over the tire on the ground, I be ok, so don't forget safety.

Great thread, thanks!

Posted By: JBarca on 04/12/10 07:06pm

Hi Pritch

Nice pics. Sorry about your arm. Bummer.

This pic, WOW now that is a lift kit. A spacer block on top of the axle seat with the spring pack on top??

Did it come from the factory that way?

[image]

Thanks

John

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!)

Posted By: pritch272 on 04/13/10 06:40am

JBarca wrote:

Thanks

John

You've got a keen eye, John-

No, I took the trailer to a truck shop to raise it for the 15" to 16" upgrade to XPS Ribs a couple of years ago.

Getting a cast later today after it was determined that I fractured my elbow. As they say, safety is job one. At least I finished the trailer....

Posted By: JBarca on 04/13/10 10:44am

pritch272 wrote:

Yeh, we all walk away from pic with differnt things. I was also looking at how Keystone added the angle iron to beef up the hanger flex on the I beam. Never seen it put on that way. I added 1/4 x 2 flat bar 18" long on mine to spread the load out and stiffen up the hanger from flexing.

Ah, the 16" tire lift trick! Never thought of that one as the need. I take it they undersized the tire capacity 1 load range from the factory? Or your trying to get out of ST radials?

In a cast [emoticon]

Best of luck to a speedy recovery.

John

Posted By: pritch272 on 04/13/10 01:49pm

Got out of the ST world. When Keystone recalled the 15" Milestars and offered to buy them back I took that as an opportunity to upgrade to 16" and good tires. It was just a little too close for my comfort (clearance above the tires), so added another 1.5 inches.

Posted By: LAdams on 04/17/10 07:10pm

Nice job pritch - sorry about your arm - hey - stuff happens eh [emoticon]

You did the same thing I said in my original posting here - ground down a bolt to ease the task of insertion of the new bushings... That HF tool is a lifesaver isn't it??

Hope your arm is doing better [emoticon]

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

Posted By: pritch272 on 04/18/10 10:01am

LAdams wrote:

Nice job pritch - sorry about your arm - hey - stuff happens eh [emoticon]

Les

Indeed you did, Les. I didn't realize that you also used it to push out the plastic bushings, I must have missed or forgotten that info when I read your post. Thanks to your detailed post and the others that followed!

I was thinking about being really cheap and instead of using the HF tool to borrow one from Advance Auto, but once I saw the size of the one from Advance Auto (really big), I stuck with the HF. Definitely the way to go. I'll probably never have a need to use it again.

Fortunately, I did not need a cast, just a splint as it was only a fracture and nothing was really apart bone-wise. It's still pretty sore, but getting better by the day.

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