"Wet" shackles kit
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,061
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From: Central Texas
"Wet" shackles kit
After burning down one of my bearings, ruining the axle, I have decided to replace both axles to get away from #4400 piles of junk. I'm going with #7000 because there's really no difference from the #5000lb axles, cost is the same. While at it, I am considering going with wet shackles. The only kit I like is the Dexter K71-359-00 mainly because the wet balance arm is included. Anyone have experience with these or others?
I don't know how the trailer mfgr can put a GVWR at #9800 over a combined #8800 axles. No wonder the 10" brakes sucked so bad. It'll be nice to have peace of mind and 12" brakes.
I don't know how the trailer mfgr can put a GVWR at #9800 over a combined #8800 axles. No wonder the 10" brakes sucked so bad. It'll be nice to have peace of mind and 12" brakes.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,694
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From: Wyoming
Here's a thread I started when I had problems installing the wet bolts and then getting grease into them: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...all-issue.html
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,463
Likes: 724
From: Calgary Canada
Heavier axles and bigger brakes sounds great. Can't help with the "wet bolt" kits, aside to say that I shot some chain lube into mine one day, and that quietens them down for a couple of trips. I think I'll just do that a few times a year for now until I decide if I'd prefer to do a "real" upgrade.
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,517
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From: Home Base Nebraska
On my RV trailer with 7K axles I replaced my Dexter wet bolts with a kit from Mor/Ryde 3 years ago and they easily take grease unlike the set from Dexter. I ordered them from Amazon.
Denny
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HRICH2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_p2alFbVYYX8H1
Denny
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HRICH2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_p2alFbVYYX8H1
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,694
Likes: 12,819
From: Wyoming
One other tip on wet bolts: Replace or align the zerk fittings before installing them. There are two zerk fittings in the center doodad between the leaf springs. They were oriented to make it very difficult to get a grease gun coupler on them. I had to get in there with an open end wrench and adjust them slightly for an easier connection.
For the bolts in the shackles, consider using 90° zerk fittings. Without the tire there, all the fittings are easy to get to. With the tire mounted, most of the fittings are a lot more challenging to get to. All my fittings were installed on the tire side of the leaf springs. Perhaps if I had installed them on the non-tire side of the leaf springs it would have been easier, but in most cases, I didn't have access to slide a bolt in from that side. The insulated fresh water tank is in the way.
For the bolts in the shackles, consider using 90° zerk fittings. Without the tire there, all the fittings are easy to get to. With the tire mounted, most of the fittings are a lot more challenging to get to. All my fittings were installed on the tire side of the leaf springs. Perhaps if I had installed them on the non-tire side of the leaf springs it would have been easier, but in most cases, I didn't have access to slide a bolt in from that side. The insulated fresh water tank is in the way.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,061
Likes: 167
From: Central Texas
Update they are installed, I like!
Ended going with Morryde and they are great. Not hard to install, though I did have a galley drain pipe in the way which made that one bolt tricky. They are QUITE. Maybe a little more stable then before, but my old bushings weren't as bad as I thought, I mean there was something left of them. Probably could have gotten away with installing the zerks to the outboard side, but considering a blowout or road trash might have snapped them off, so inboard they went. Great $100 upgrade off Amazon
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