Post by bmanfx4 on Apr 2, 2023 8:30:01 GMT -5
I decided to upgrade the suspension on the 327VIK before we start camping this year. I ordered the Lippert Road Armor equalizers and the MORryde Tandem Axle Suspension Upgrade Kit from etrailer.com.
Road Armor Equalizers: www.etrailer.com/p-LC696740.html
MORryde Wet Bolt Kit: www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Leaf-Spring-Suspension/MORryde/MR76ZR.html
After reading quite a few write-ups where people spent hours removing the pressed-in shackle bolts I was expecting a full day of work. However, having air tools allowed me to get the entire kit installed in 2 1/2 hours. The installation was pretty straightforward:
1. Park the RV on a level space with plenty of unobscured access to the axles.
2. I left the RV connected to the tow vehicle so it was level and unable to roll or move.
3. Jack up one side of the RV by the frame and support it from the frame with jack stands.
4. Remove the tires and get them out of your way.
5. Remove the 11/16" nuts from all of the shackle bolts, the two leaf spring mounting bolts and the equalizer mounting bolt.
6. Place a floor jack under each axle. Raise the jack until it just takes the pressure off the shackle bolts.
7. Pull the factory shackles off the factory equalizer and leaf springs. It might require careful adjustment of the floor jacks to remove pressure from the bolts.
8. At this point the equalizer will be hanging by a single bolt. It is pressed into the hanger bracket so it will likely be tough to remove. I screwed a nut onto the bolt about two turns so I could put the tip of an air hammer bit against the bolt and not have it jump off when hammering. The rapid percussions from the air hammer drove the pressed-in bolts out very quickly. Remove the nut and pull the bolt out of the equalizer. Discard the equalizer.
9. Do the same air hammer procedure on both of the leaf spring mounting bolts. Remove the nuts from the bolts and pull them out.
10. At this point the entire suspension should be free-floating and resting on the floor jacks. You are now ready to remove the factory nylon bushings from the leaf springs.
11. Using an awl and a hammer, drive the awl between the bushing and the leaf spring eye. Once it is in pull the awl towards the center of the hole, crushing the bushing. Remove the awl.
12. Using a pair of duckbill or needle nose pliers, grasp the bushing and twist it to break it free from the leaf spring. Twist it and push it and it should pop out the back of the leaf spring. If you tear it and some of it is still in the leaf spring just use one of the bolts you removed to drive it out with a hammer. Remove all four bushings from the leaf springs. You are now ready to install the bronze bushings.
13. I lubricated the outside of the bushing with a spray silicone lubricant before I pressed them into place. A simple way to press them in is to use a 4 inch long 1/2" bolt with two washers and a nut. Place a washer on the bolt and insert it from the rear of the leaf spring. Put the new bushing over the bolt and press it into the leaf spring. Place a washer and then the nut onto the bolt and tighten it until it is snug against the bushing. Holding the bolt head with a wrench use a ratchet or battery driver to tighten the nut on the bolt. Be sure the bushing is straight and it should start sliding into the leaf spring easily. Tighten the nut until the washer is against the leaf spring. Remove the nut and washer and slide the bolt out of the bushing. Repeat this procedure on the other three leaf spring ends.
Since the stupid forum software limits me to 5 pictures I will continue on a reply post to my original post...
Road Armor Equalizers: www.etrailer.com/p-LC696740.html
MORryde Wet Bolt Kit: www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Leaf-Spring-Suspension/MORryde/MR76ZR.html
After reading quite a few write-ups where people spent hours removing the pressed-in shackle bolts I was expecting a full day of work. However, having air tools allowed me to get the entire kit installed in 2 1/2 hours. The installation was pretty straightforward:
1. Park the RV on a level space with plenty of unobscured access to the axles.
2. I left the RV connected to the tow vehicle so it was level and unable to roll or move.
3. Jack up one side of the RV by the frame and support it from the frame with jack stands.
4. Remove the tires and get them out of your way.
5. Remove the 11/16" nuts from all of the shackle bolts, the two leaf spring mounting bolts and the equalizer mounting bolt.
6. Place a floor jack under each axle. Raise the jack until it just takes the pressure off the shackle bolts.
7. Pull the factory shackles off the factory equalizer and leaf springs. It might require careful adjustment of the floor jacks to remove pressure from the bolts.
8. At this point the equalizer will be hanging by a single bolt. It is pressed into the hanger bracket so it will likely be tough to remove. I screwed a nut onto the bolt about two turns so I could put the tip of an air hammer bit against the bolt and not have it jump off when hammering. The rapid percussions from the air hammer drove the pressed-in bolts out very quickly. Remove the nut and pull the bolt out of the equalizer. Discard the equalizer.
9. Do the same air hammer procedure on both of the leaf spring mounting bolts. Remove the nuts from the bolts and pull them out.
10. At this point the entire suspension should be free-floating and resting on the floor jacks. You are now ready to remove the factory nylon bushings from the leaf springs.
11. Using an awl and a hammer, drive the awl between the bushing and the leaf spring eye. Once it is in pull the awl towards the center of the hole, crushing the bushing. Remove the awl.
12. Using a pair of duckbill or needle nose pliers, grasp the bushing and twist it to break it free from the leaf spring. Twist it and push it and it should pop out the back of the leaf spring. If you tear it and some of it is still in the leaf spring just use one of the bolts you removed to drive it out with a hammer. Remove all four bushings from the leaf springs. You are now ready to install the bronze bushings.
13. I lubricated the outside of the bushing with a spray silicone lubricant before I pressed them into place. A simple way to press them in is to use a 4 inch long 1/2" bolt with two washers and a nut. Place a washer on the bolt and insert it from the rear of the leaf spring. Put the new bushing over the bolt and press it into the leaf spring. Place a washer and then the nut onto the bolt and tighten it until it is snug against the bushing. Holding the bolt head with a wrench use a ratchet or battery driver to tighten the nut on the bolt. Be sure the bushing is straight and it should start sliding into the leaf spring easily. Tighten the nut until the washer is against the leaf spring. Remove the nut and washer and slide the bolt out of the bushing. Repeat this procedure on the other three leaf spring ends.
Since the stupid forum software limits me to 5 pictures I will continue on a reply post to my original post...
