Wet Bolt Trailer Kit

[Magicman]

I spent today adding "wet bolts" and torsion rockers to the 5th Wheel Trailer.  This is an RV, but the same goes for any tandem or tri axle trailer.  One problem is the nylon bushings with no means of lubrication.


 
The rebuild kit comes with two sets of the hardware shown above. 


 
This trailer has ~6k miles on it and a couple of the nylon bushing had worn completely through.


 
The first thing was to remove all of the old hangers, etc.  Here you see that the bronze bushings have been installed into the spring eyes.


 
And bronze bushings into the other spring eyes.


 
The spring has been reattached with a greasable "wet bolt".


 
Here the springs have been reattached with the torsion rocker and greasable wet bolts.


 
A close up view.

The torsion rocker is designed to provide a smoother ride with less bounce, plus the wet bolts and bronze bushing should allow for many trouble free miles.

[newoodguy78]

No doubt that was time and money well spent. I'm a big fan of grease fittings. I like the torsion rockers as well. I've never seen them I'm curious as to how they hold up for you, certainly seems like a good idea.

[LeeB]

Next time you should jack up the trailer instead of turning it upside down. That way you won't fall off.  :D

[Woodhauler]

You didn't use enough never seize, its not all silver everywhere!!!!!!

[newoodguy78]

I didn't think it was possible to use never seize without turning everything silver myself. :D Every time I get near the stuff the project I'm working on ends up streaked in silver and my hands could be mistaken for those of the tin man in the wizard of oz. It's great stuff just can't seem to be able to figure out how to use it cleanly.

[Ox]

Neversieze for the win! 
I remember when all the old stuff had a grease fitting or oil cup on everything that moved.
This looks like a worthwhile upgrade for others to consider.

[Czech_Made]

Nice job!

I replaced spring bushings on my CJ7 - never an easy task.

[whitepine2]

  Why o Why don't they do it right the first time? I know it saves time and money but why produce junk when it could have been done right the first time. I would be willing to pay more and get it done right,I
would like to see stainless steel break lines on all MV's as well how much extra would it cost?

[Magicman]

Yup, what a web we weave.  That kit cost me a bit less than $200.  When the trailer frame was built I doubt that it would have raised the cost $100, but the RV builder would have had to order it that way.  This in turn would have raised the RV selling price that amount.  Had I known I would have gladly ordered it that way, but it's almost impossible to get ahead of the curve.  I would not have even known about the wet bolts had I not read about them on an RV Forum.  :P

[DelawhereJoe]

Job security...you buy it, then it brakes and you take it back to them for repairs. Why would they want to sell you something your not going to have trouble with. Take the Porsche Boxster for example just to change the spark plugs you have to drop the motor out of the car, literally unbolt the motor and remove it out of the car. I'm almost thinking the auto tune and m-tronic will be the same way.

[newoodguy78]

Now that you've got some miles on your upgrade, how they holding up?
Good thing you didn't come to the northeast in frost heave season or they'd really be getting a workout  :D

[Magicman]

There is always highway construction/repairs going on so the spring hangers are getting a workout.  I will do a mini-disassembly & inspection when we get home and give an evaluation, but there will certainly be less wear than with the original nylon bushings.