Community Forums

Brad Wilf · 03-26-2020, 10:06 PM

It’s been discussed on the forum before, but I will suggest to all that have newer rigs or that have been putting this off.. it’s easy. If your wet bolts won’t accept grease. Grease holes in bolts are “supposed” to be indexed at 9 or 3 o’clock position, some are not install in the correct position.

11/16 nut, back off till flush with bolt threads, give nut/bolt a smack with dead blow or something that won’t damage nut, just enough room for splines on bolt to clear perch hanger.
13/16 bolt head rotate till bolts will accept grease, 1/2 socket to clear grease fitting smack bolt back in to seat bolt against spring perch.

Tighten to specs..I had two bolts that wouldn’t accept grease all good now, took me all of 20 mins.

Vintage465 · 03-27-2020, 07:15 AM

Great info! I have the whole kit waiting to install when I get out of my "I aint gots no time to do nuthin" problem!

Howard Burger · 03-27-2020, 09:27 AM

Brad, do the bolts have some kind of indexing mark or do you just rotate them and try with the grease until it takes? You mention splines. Once the bolt is set correctly do the splines keep it from getting out of kilter in the future? Thanks for the tips.

GBB · 03-27-2020, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK_Howard

Brad, do the bolts have some kind of indexing mark or do you just rotate them and try with the grease until it takes? You mention splines. Once the bolt is set correctly do the splines keep it from getting out of kilter in the future? Thanks for the tips.

Dont think there is any indexing marks...yes the splines will keep it in place

Brad Wilf · 03-27-2020, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK_Howard

Brad, do the bolts have some kind of indexing mark or do you just rotate them and try with the grease until it takes? You mention splines. Once the bolt is set correctly do the splines keep it from getting out of kilter in the future? Thanks for the tips.

No indexing marks, the splines or better term is knurling keep the bolt from rotating while torquing... once torqued they’re not moving anyways. Just rotate a bit at a time till it’ll take grease.. would be max 1/4 turn. Then set bolt/knurling back into perch...and torque. easy peasy...

brulaz · 03-27-2020, 03:57 PM

If you drive a lot on dirt/dusty roads your wet bolts may not take grease because they are plugged, irrespective of orientation. More frequent greasing might be helpful under this scenario, but I've often had to drill out my grease bolts to clear them.

Brad Wilf · 03-27-2020, 04:02 PM

Agreed.. but, one would/should know if it was hard packed grease..by being able to take grease then slowly/suddenly stop taking grease vs not taking grease at all since first grease.. as was my situation.. I’m sure others too.

Lac · 03-27-2020, 05:04 PM

Great information...Can the hole orientation be marked with a marker?

Coops

Remember social distancing and be safe. Day 8 out of 14 of self isolation.

**hamm2018** · 03-27-2020, 05:27 PM

You could use a marker. After having new disc brakes and wet bolts installed last summer, I ordered 2 extra sets of bolts and hangers in case of problems. I took a chisel and put a mark on these so I will know where the holes are for installing.

Brad Wilf · 03-27-2020, 05:39 PM

You beat me to it..LOL I was going to say center punch..chisel works too.

Super Thirty · 03-28-2020, 09:30 AM

I was advised to also check the bolt heads for spacing. If the space between the bolt head and the frame or shackle is large enough to fit more than one business card it should be checked and probably the bolt and bushing needs replacement. It’s just a quick easy way to monitor wear and tear on your trailer suspension.

Brad Wilf · 03-28-2020, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Thirty

I was advised to also check the bolt heads for spacing. If the space between the bolt head and the frame or shackle is large enough to fit more than one business card it should be checked and probably the bolt and bushing needs replacement. It’s just a quick easy way to monitor wear and tear on your trailer suspension.

So you must be talking the space between ID of shackle and OD spring eyelet? Basically where the grease squirts out, or should..

Super Thirty · 03-28-2020, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Wilf

So you must be talking the space between ID of shackle and OD spring eyelet? Basically where the grease squirts out, or should..

Between the inside face of the bolt head and which ever surface it should be flush to i.e. shackle or frame attachment.

Brad Wilf · 03-28-2020, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Thirty

Between the inside face of the bolt head and which ever surface it should be flush to i.e. shackle or frame attachment.

Interesting, I wouldn’t have thought that area would change in spacing, if torqued And nothing moving or bent. Not challenging you, were did that info come from?