Wet Bolts

I installed the wet bolt kit this past weekend; see my signature for a link to photos. Not too bad, a couple false starts and it took about 6 hours. I ordered the TrailAir kit from Tweetys; $49 + $12 shipping; good service.

Notes:

1. I used two bottle jacks and a floor jack to get the job done. I only changed out one bolt at a time.

2. It takes some serious hammer blows to remove the bolts that go through the frame hangers; don't be timid. When you use a hammer, make sure you have a nut installed on the end of the bolt; don't just beat on the bolt.

3. I found the best method was to:
A. Jack up the trailer by the frame, remove all weight from the tire
B. Use the floor jack under the axle to pick the tire off the ground; remove the wheel. (just one at a time, safer this way) It is also best if you have the cat connected to your truck while doing this; makes sure it won't go anywhere.
C. Loosen the nut on the old bolt and use a hammer to get it started out.
D. Use the floor jack to lower (or raise) the axle just a bit until you can tell there is no weight on the bolt; it will now come out easily and the spring will stay in place.
E. Use the floor jack under the axle to lower the spring eye out of the shackel.
F. Using a small deep socket (or something else the right size) and a soft hammer, knock the old plastic bushing out of the spring eye; this takes some force.
G. Install the new bushing; it just slides in.
H. Using the floor jack, raise the axle until the spring eye aligns with the shackle. You can push or pull on the axle as necessary. Install new bolt.
I. Use a "Ball Joint Installation Tool" (press) to seat the new bolt head into the shackle. You can get one from AutoZone free; pay a $100 deposit which you get back when you return the tool. This is only necessary for the 8 bolts that attach the springs to the shackels. The 6 new bolts for the EquaFlex will seat properly without being pressed in. I didn't like the idea of using the press on the EqualFlex parts anyway.
J. Torque the new bolts to 45-70 ft lb

4. The second bottle jack was used to support the EqualFlex components while changing out that top bolt. You will see what I mean when you look things over.

5. Note that I installed the new bolts with the zerks facing in. I decided I would rather crawl under the trailer rather than jacking it up and removing the wheels.

6. After you install each bolt, test it with a grease gun. I found a couple that would not take grease until I rotated them; you'll be much happier and more pleasant to be around if you do this before pressing them into place.

Scott - Lost my document by being stupid. Looking for your web site if I have the right person. My wet bolts. Dealer going to install those. With my 30RLBS I feel the 3 1/2 floor jacks and jack stands are to light. Plus I got some body parts that would hate that work. Doing the same. Grease zerks to the middle.