Since I have a Lippert frame, I assumed Never Fail bushing replacements would fit, but surprise, they are an 1/8" shorter and are really loose in the eye of the spring. So, I used a caliper and measured everything finding the Never Fail are slightly oversize on the inner and slightly smaller on the outer than the manufacturer's specs, but even if they were spec, they are too small.

The existing bushings are 9/16" inner, but are .728 inches outer as the wall of the bushing is thicker than on a Never Fail. The closest I can find to what I need is a Redline with a 3/4" outer listed.

Has anyone else who changed out bushings run into a sizing issue? I have already asked Etrailer about this issue, but do not as yet have a response.

Steve

 

I did the ones on my Thor of California 31' Jazz. The ones from the factory were plastic non-greasables. Replaced with bronze bushings and pins with grease zerks installed. The bushings had to be driven in and were a perfect fit. Bought them on Ebay and don't recall the brand. It's been a couple of years. The site on Ebay sized them by the distance between the hangars if that makes sense to you.

 

When I replaced the equalizers in our 5th wheel with the "E-Z Flex", the greaseable bolts and brass bushings came in the kit. All dimensions were good..correct OD, ID, and length. I pressed the new bushings in with a joint press. It's a nice kit...much better than the worn out though hardly used plastic/non-greaseable bushing with nuts about to fall off...yikes. Fairly certain I bought the kit from etrailer...it's been over four years.

At the same time I also added the MORryde X factor crossmembers which came with appropriate length greaseable bolts.

 

I ended up using bronze bushings throughout, although the only place I had to press in was on the equalizer. I did a lot of test fitting with multiple bushings. Nothing fit perfectly, but I think what I have will be acceptable and there really are no other options. What I did learn is sizing variation is normal so if you mic the parts, as I did, you will find nothing that matches the manufacturers' nominal sizing.

Nylon was much cheaper, but I figured it would not last as long. I still have to replace two shackles that were ovaled, but am going to do all four. I had one nylon bushing completely gone. It is coming along. Installing the Correct Track II is kind of a pain, with the drilling required but am doing alright with that also. Just so darn hot to be doing this, but want it ready for fall camping.

Steve

 

My kit also came with all new shackles. It was under a C note.

 

An interesting question someone asked me yesterday when I was discussing finding ovaled shackle links and a bushing or two completely gone is how you know these things unless you break down on the road or take things apart. Good question and not one for which I have an easy answer. Sure couldn't tell it by routine inspection or ride. Taking the suspension apart is no easy job and really eats up time. Waiting for something to break is even worse.

Steve

 

My trailer suspension started squeaking quit a bit at low speed when maneuvering in the campgrounds. Especially when articulating. I arbitrarily ordered the rebuild kit. Approximately 40% of the plastic bushings were worn thru. All of the shackles were good but very rusty. Glad the kit had new ones. I hit the zerks with a squirt or two of grease prior to any trip over a hundred miles. Doesn't hurt anything and makes me feel good.

 

I put the bronze bushing in my equalizer today. Man, not easy. So tight I could not even start em in until I put the bushings in the freezer and heated the equalizer with a torch. Then I could start em tapping with a hammer and used a vice like a press to force the bushing all the way into place. The sizing on this stuff is all over the map! I wonder if anyone in the RV industry ever checks the stuff they are shipping.

Steve

 

When I did the wet bolt mod this spring found all but a couple of the nylon bushings were completely worn though after only 12K miles. I also found that the replacement bronze bushings were not a press fit but a fairly tight slip fit. Now, is that a good thing - probably not as good as a press fit but that's what they are and they will be kept well lubed. Luckily the MORryde suspension/equalizer already had a bronze bushing so that will now be lubed regularly with the supplied wet bolt

As far as telling if the bushings are bad - our 5er had a strange squeak when I walked across the floor that I could never find. It's gone. Other then that, IMO, if a towable RV has 10K+/- miles, it's probably ready for a wet bolt - shackle upgrade. No clue as to how many miles our now gone Titanium 5er had, but there were no bushings, only a few small pieces left when the mod was done and the nut ends of the shackles elongated almost to failure.

It defies my thinking as to why at least bronze oilite* shackle bushings (and heavier/safer shackles) aren't provided by manufacturers. Yeah, it is somewhat bottom line related, but for sure in large quantities couldn't cost more then a very few bucks per unit and could be reflected in the manufacturing cost buildup.

*https://www.oilite.com/bearings.asp

 

The kit I bought on Ebay came with the equalizer bushings and the shackles were app. double the thickness. Wish I knew then that this would be a topic and I'd have taken pics. I drove the new bushings in with the old pins.