Shackle bushing observations

[Ela1948]

I just replaced the bushings in my 2011 Jayco fifth wheel. This unit has been towed in excess of 30000 mile since i bought it. I have followed other threads on bushing replacement and general condemnation of all manufactures for using plastic bushings in there shackles. My trailer came equipped with the Morryde 3000 equalizer which has non greaseable bronze bushings. I replaced the bushings with Morrydes greaseable bushing kit. I primarily went with them because I didn't know what to expect with the ware factor in the equalizer and there kit came with bushings and bolts for the 3000 equalizer. My views have changed on the plastic bushings. Yes, my bushings were wore out and needed replacing after 30000 plus miles travel. But there was no ware at all in the shackle bolts which indicated to me that I wasn't late on replacement. What was really worn was the top bronze bushings on the equalizer. They were only a half shell left of those bushings. Hopefully the greased version will give me added time before they need attention again. The reason for this thread is to give another look at the manufacturers choice of plastic. These bushings have gave given adequate service with NO maintenance!! The ones that I replaced them with will need greasing at least twice a year. And I had to use heat already because one didn't want to take grease new with the axles suspended. No weight on them. The reason most mowers went to sealed bearings was because people didn't grease them adequately. The same would be true on trailers. If the manufactures went with greasable shackles, How many do you think would get proper maintenance?? And when they failed from lack of maintenance, who would get the blame?

[RedHorse1]

Did you carefully orient the grease opening to the side when you inserted the bolts? If the weight of the hanging axle is pressing down on the opening I could see getting grease to flow would be difficult (impossible).
Our 5th came with the CRE3000 with bronze bushing and dry bolt with around 15k miles since new.
I did the wet bolt install earlier this year and have roughly 4k miles on them. The bronze bushing was in good shape when I did the install as were the plastic bushings. I removed the drums to check brakes and grease seals a month ago (all was well) and used the opportunity to shoot some grease.

[Ela1948]

It's possible that the grease hole is facing up. Can't be sure but there was no tires or wheels installed when I attempted to grease. I jacked up the axle to make sure that wasn't any pressure on the bolt. Still had to use heat to move grease. All other bolts took grease without issue.

[Marcm157]

A wet bolt upgrade along with the CRE3000 are on my list of things to do while my camper is laid up for the off season

[jasum]

Sometimes just turn bolt with wrench and can grease it

[Ela1948]

Going to try a new zerk fitting first. Hoping they are threaded and not pressed.

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by Ela1948

Going to try a new zerk fitting first. Hoping they are threaded and not pressed.

Let us know if they are threaded or not. I'd like to replace some with ones that have a 45 or 90 deg bend.

[bdreinv]

Mine are shot on my 16 Eagle 21 months old.Try to get Jayco to use upgrade kit!Morryde's web site advises making the upgrade change!

[Springhook]

How do I identify when my CRE 3000 shackles are worn?

[Ela1948]

Originally Posted by Springhook

How do I identify when my CRE 3000 shackles are worn?

The first tip off is that the trailer will start to squeak when you walk around in it. My trailer annoyed me for about 6 months before I tore them apart and replaced the bushings. From my experience you will want to replace them with Morryde's greasable kit. Other kits available will not have bushings for the CRE 3000. And both sides of my CRE 3000 had a bushing worn in half.

[Ela1948]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

Let us know if they are threaded or not. I'd like to replace some with ones that have a 45 or 90 deg bend.

Yes, the zerk fittings are threaded. Should easily be able to exchange for angle fittings!!

[Ela1948]

1/4" X 28 threads to be exact!

[Northern Wis.]

Interesting, I found the same wear issues on my 5th wheel when I just replaced the bushings and shackles with a wet bolt kit.
Like you said, greasing the new bushing and wet bolts once installed can be an issue. I did have one that gave me issues as well, and yes the grease opening on the bolt was marked and installed per instructions, but finally it took grease. Someone mentioned just turning the bolt, but with the staking under the head of the bolt that is easier said than done

[Ela1948]

I'm expecting to grease the shackles in the future, that it will probably be just as simple to jack up the rig and get the weight off the axles to accept grease. Be a little more trouble but should be more full proof results.