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  1. #1
    Long Hauler howson's Avatar
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    Suspension Bolt Not Flush--Cause for Concern?

    While doing my pre-departure tire inspection I noticed one of the spring hanger bolt nuts isn't flush with the frame. It is hand-tight (nothing obviously loose) but the gap made me question if something is going wrong under the trailer.

    Thoughts?

    2017 Ford F-350 DRW 6.7L Platinum
    2019 315RLTS (purchased 16 Jul 18 from Campers Inn RV in Byron, GA)

  2. #2
    King Pin
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    That is acceptable and normal. The nut butts up against the shoulder of the bolt. That allows the shackle to pivot as needed. The gap on Lippert suspensions is even larger.

    You can see the very large gap on my former Lippert suspension in the picture below:



    Jim
    Last edited by TucsonJim; 08-16-2018 at 08:14 PM. Reason: Added Picture

  3. #3
    Site Sponsor Jerryr's Avatar
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    May I suggest that you get a grease gun and push some grease in the wet bolts. It looks like you have the typical red grease wiped on the zerk fittings and no grease actually pushed through the bolts.

    I would bet when you push black grease through the zerk fittings there will be no red grease come out.

    Been there done that.
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  4. #4
    King Pin
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    Jerry is absolutely correct. We've noted this condition several times with GDRV management. They promise the bolts are being properly lubricated, but anecdotal evidence proves otherwise.

    Jim

  5. #5
    Long Hauler DaveMatthewsBand's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TucsonJim View Post
    That is acceptable and normal. The nut butts up against the shoulder of the bolt. That allows the shackle to pivot as needed. The gap on Lippert suspensions is even larger.

    You can see the very large gap on my former Lippert suspension in the picture below:



    Jim
    Very informative post Jim, thanks for sharing.


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  6. #6
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    While the gap is normal (as stated above) just to feel good about it I would still put a wrench on it and Make sure it is tight.
    2022 Reflection150 226RK
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  7. #7
    Site Sponsor Cate&Rob's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DougW9876 View Post
    While the gap is normal (as stated above) just to feel good about it I would still put a wrench on it and Make sure it is tight.
    When messing about with these nuts, remember that they are “single use” torque retaining nuts. Checking torque would be fine, but if you loosen or remove the nut, it should be replaced with a new one.

    Rob
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  8. #8
    Big Traveler JCZhome's Avatar
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    Thanks a bunch for the education guys!
    SOLD my 2017 Momentum 376TH being pulled by a 2014 Ford F-350 Lariat, FX-4, Crew Cab, Longbed, Dually. Not pulling the 5er, catch me on my 2013 CVO Harley Ultra Classic.

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  9. #9
    Site Sponsor Cate&Rob's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TucsonJim View Post
    That is acceptable and normal. The nut butts up against the shoulder of the bolt. That allows the shackle to pivot as needed. The gap on Lippert suspensions is even larger.

    Jim
    While this is "normal" for towable RVs and probably other trailers as well, the frustrating thing is that you would not see this situation on any other means of transportation from bicycles, to trucks, to trains and planes.

    A lot of the noises that we hear from the trailer suspension, particularly when backing and turning . . . are the springs sliding back and forth on the bolts between the shackles or the clevis brackets. Not much we can do about this without custom machined parts.

    Rob
    Cate & Rob
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  10. #10
    Long Hauler DaveMatthewsBand's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cate&Rob View Post
    A lot of the noises that we hear from the trailer suspension, particularly when backing and turning . . . are the springs sliding back and forth on the bolts between the shackles or the clevis brackets. Not much we can do about this without custom machined parts.

    Rob
    How about using some spray lubricant all over these areas?



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