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Specific to the DLLRV ones I commented on below, both pins looked like they had an equal bevel on both sides. I used a grinder on one pin one to make it slightly more beveled and dont think it made a difference. I've heard that some of these are directional, so checked out both the pins and the bushings, and I wasnt able to find any markings to indicate a direction So a good point, but dont think it applied to my install. Sort-of hoping they werent marked in a way that I missed, lol.
I've used hammer locks on chains over the past 20+ years and never seen one that was directional. I've never put one together that was "easy" they all needed to be hammer locked. I've never broke or pulled a hammer lock apart while in use even pulling dead weight in excess of 25,000#. But then they were attached to chains and clevis and not the sole mounting point.
Get a bigger hammer. I just looped one half through the tow hook hole, lined the other up, tapped the pin through the first half, put the spring in the middle and got that started, then wailed away. Installed them both in about 5 mins without C-Clamps, two people, beveling an edge or any of that.
It's a steel pin. Starting hitting it and it'll find its way into the hole.
The one time I have assembled hammerlocks, I did not have much issue. I did use a 4# hammer to drive the pins in. As was said above, bigger hammer.
You must remember that while many here are using these to attach to a pickup truck, they are meant to be used in load rigging for cranes, and other industrial applications. You are not going to hurt them by hitting them, and they the difficulty you are having putting them together is a direct result of the fact that when used in their designed environment that MUST NOT come apart.
I used 1/2 grade 80 from autohauler supply.
I would not want anything bigger. My smaller trailers have chain hooks that i am not sure could hook around 5/8.
I got mine in place w/o much trouble.
Mine came from Auto Hauler and were a giant pain in the ****; accidently ordered two sets and I'm glad I did. Between freezing pins, C clamps, grease, wood bracing, and inevitably giving up on my 3 pound hammer and purchasing a 4, it took a bit of everything and anything to get them together. To date I still don't know what the right combination was; everything just suddenly went into place. Getting the first one on I beat the hell out of my hand, my coordination isn't what it used to be, and I had to wait two days to try for the other hammerlock. I appreciate my padded gloves all the more. With that said, once they're on they are great; I'm happy to have them!
Anyhow, looking at the CM hammerlocks it looks like they've got better bushings, perhaps with a coil spring? If I'd of known I'd of spent more on the CM set, as the cost of a new hammer made up that difference and then some.
Gave up on this one, grabbed a bushing from another package.
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