Wet bolt vs Neverfail bushings

[Beachcamper]

Since I will be visiting the Lippert facility this Friday for annual bearing maintenance and to get the V Clips installed, I was wondering about the bushings. I do grease the wet bolts as required and now have 2 that won’t take grease and will have to be replaced. Looking at maybe replacing all the wet bolts with the Neverfail bushings that don’t require grease or maintenance.

Any opinion or experience with one vs the other?

Vivian

[Country Campers]

Vivian

I do not have any experience with the never fail bushings. I have had experience with items that claim "warranty forever", "extended life" and so on. These items generally do not last much longer than some of the parts that I have replaced. The bushings on the leaf springs of any kind on a trailer will generally be very thin wall material. This material could be brass, bronze , or even plastic (yuck). With the thin wall it will not take much of traveling to wear thru the wall , this wall thickness is generally around 1/16". Another factor is the spring eye itself. The eye , where the bushing is placed , is rolled to form the circle. I have seen plenty of these that are not round. This will allow the bushing to deform. Just a little info.

Brian

[TucsonJim]

Cate&Rob - I think Rob has some past experience with the Never Fail bushings. Rob?

Jim

[Cate&Rob]

Beachcamper
Hi Vivian,

I tried "Never Fail" bushings . . . on my way to eventually installing a MORryde heavy duty shackle, bronze bushing and wet bolt kit.

I bought the Never Fail bushing kit at a Grand Design Rally, directly from LCI. Got home and found that the only place these bushings would fit was in the spring eyes but they deformed because the spring eyes are not perfectly round (as Brian describes). The LCI bushings would not fit any location in the LCI equalizer. In the one year that I ran these in the spring eyes, they did appear to be a much tougher plastic than the original nylon.

I would recommend the MORryde kit. It comes with the wet bolts fitted to the shackle plates with the grease holes at random angles. These have to be pushed out and reoriented with grease holes at 3 or 9 o'clock to avoid the problem that you have now with not being able to get grease in. These shackle plates are more than twice as thick as OE, so require the longer bolts that come with the kit. I did advise MORryde that they should pay more attention to bolt orientation, but never heard back, so I expect that nothing has changed.

Rob

[Beachcamper]

Thanks guys, I will then continue with the stock bushings and Wet bolts. From my visual inspection the shackles and equalizer are holding up we have 8k miles on it so will have them look at condition of the bushings and replace any if needed. Also, change out the 2 bolts not taking grease.

eventually, I will replace shackles with the MorRyde kit but still not convinced their equalizer is any better than the Equaflex.

I also saw a kit for shock absorbers, what is your opinion on those?

[TucsonJim]

Thanks guys, I will then continue with the stock bushings and Wet bolts. From my visual inspection the shackles and equalizer are holding up we have 8k miles on it so will have them look at condition of the bushings and replace any if needed. Also, change out the 2 bolts not taking grease.

eventually, I will replace shackles with the MorRyde kit but still not convinced their equalizer is any better than the Equaflex.

I also saw a kit for shock absorbers, what is your opinion on those?

I see one primary difference that makes the MorRyde equalizer more beneficial to me. On the MorRyde, you can inspect the rubber components from the side of the trailer without having to remove the suspension components. On the EquaFlex, you must disassemble the suspension, remove and disassemble the equalizer to see if it's worn.

Here is a photo of my 2014 Equaflex after disassembly. this is how far you need to take it down for a thorough inspection:



On this photo of the MorRyde equalizer, you can see the rubber components without any disassembly at all.



Here are the inspection criteria for the MorRyde:


Jim

[Calbar]

I see one primary difference that makes the MorRyde equalizer more beneficial to me. On the MorRyde, you can inspect the rubber components from the side of the trailer without having to remove the suspension components. On the EquaFlex, you must disassemble the suspension, remove and disassemble the equalizer to see if it's worn.

Here is a photo of my 2014 Equaflex after disassembly. this is how far you need to take it down for a thorough inspection:



On this photo of the MorRyde equalizer, you can see the rubber components without any disassembly at all.



Here are the inspection criteria for the MorRyde:


Jim

Hi Jim,

Did you find that the MorRyde equalizer increased the height of your trailer?

Thanks,
Rob

[TucsonJim]

Hi Jim,

Did you find that the MorRyde equalizer increased the height of your trailer?

Thanks,
Rob

Rob - I didn't measure, and I no longer have an Equaflex available to calculate any differences. Sorry.

Jim

[Calbar]

Rob - I didn't measure, and I no longer have an Equaflex available to calculate any differences. Sorry.

Jim

Thanks Jim,

Appreciate the response.

Rob

[Beachcamper]

Just left rig at Lippert they will do the V Clips on all hangers then span 2 X 2 from behind rear hangers to further box them in. Another 2 x 2 is spanned at front hangers. They won’t do middle because of water tank location (Welded). He advised to keep the wetbolts throughout. So all new wetbolts and new bushings if needed. Equalizer still looks good but he will take it apart to verify. Will be adding the Lippert upgrade shackles save me a trip to MorRyde. Other than the annual bearing maintenance I think all is good to go out west now.

[Superduty]

What Lippert Facility is doing this work? I know there is a Lippert Facility on Ct Rd 2, on the other side of the red light by GD, and wondering if this is the place.

FYI. I talked to Lippert, and there opinion is, "unless a hanger breaks/cracks, not to add the V Clip. I, feel it is a needed item. I rather be pro-active then re-active.
I, most likely will get mine done by a remote welder on my own. Also, good to know on not to do the "center one's" due to the tank location.

[Beachcamper]

Steve, I have been bringing my rig here since they did my disc brakes at the GD rally. Their price for the Annual bearing maintenance Is comparable to my dealer. We are here to visit family so use the facility at 1701 Century Dr. Goshen, IN 46528

At last service in July of 2019, they did a suspension check. When my hanger busted, they paid all of the repair in full and are redoing the hanger (botched by mobile repair) at no cost. I am happy with the service here they are professional and photograph all steps to issue a full report when done. Show all parts replaced if needed.

Vivian

[Superduty]

Down in Goshen. Okay. I was wondering what Lippert Plant they did this repair at.

[Beachcamper]

Work is done waiting for the bill I am sure it will be memorable.

New equalizer is bigger than stock, should have been from the beginning according to specs.

welded metal spans at all hangers after he opened part of the underbelly to take a look and freshwater tank can be removed and replaced with center support.

Bearings done and new bushings and wetbolts through out.

[Superduty]

Work is done waiting for the bill I am sure it will be memorable.

New equalizer is bigger than stock, should have been from the beginning according to specs.

welded metal spans at all hangers after he opened part of the underbelly to take a look and freshwater tank can be removed and replaced with center support.

Bearings done and new bushings and wetbolts through out.

Nice! I wonder what the cost isto have my 5er done. Any idea's? Or if you have name/number for contact.