Community Forums

LeeB · 01-31-2009, 03:28 AM

I want to replace the shackles on my 5er. It is a Cougar with tandem axles. Has anyone here done it? And what are the steps? How do I relieve the pressure off of them so I can take the old ones off and install the new ones. Also do you have any recommendations on which one to get?

Thanks for for time Lee

ATVr · 02-02-2009, 10:11 AM

I pulled the shackles and equalizer on my TT last year in order to replace the bushings and the bolts with wet bolts.

It is kinda dirty but not that hard. I used a bottle jack placed under the spring mount point at the front and rear off the set. Stands all over the place. It helps to have a third bottle jack to tweak the equalizer, force the springs back into place and such. I recommend loosening the bolts before you jack it up. I'm sure ther are easier ways if one has a lift, but that's how I did it.

LeeB · 02-02-2009, 05:22 PM

Oh Boy... I have a floor jack and a bottle jack in my truck and 2 jack stands. It is a 5th wheel and I could leave it hooked up to the truck and use the stabilizers in the rear. It sounds like it is a job that I can do.

Anyone else have any pointers?

falconman · 02-08-2009, 07:48 AM

I'd check on what axle mfg you have. You can get heavy duty shackles and bronze bushings from Dexter axle as well as other sources such as Eastern Marine. They also have complete kits with a rubber cushioned equalizer if that interests you. You would need to know the axle spacing. I wouldn't trust just the stabilzers to hold all the weight in the rear. They may have the weight rating but I'd go with jack stands in addition to them to be safe.

allendp · 02-09-2009, 05:27 PM

I worked on one side at a time. Jacked up front axle, removed wheel, placed jack stand under that axle, repeated the same for rear axle. with wheels off used a 20 ton bottle jack on frame about 5 feet behind rear axle and raised trailer until springs were fully extended taking the tension off them. Using an air tool I removed the nuts from springs and equalizer and removed them. After replacing the bushings and nuts and bolts, replaced the springs and equalizer starting at the rear most hanger and working toward the front. I used a small bottle jack under the equalizer to help get the bolt holes to line up. Replaced the wheels and lowered the trailer.

Repeated the same procedure on the other side.