Spring Shackle Bushings

Well the project is finally completed. What should have taken one day actually took five. Mostly because I had to order and wait for parts. During the process I learned that the replacement bushings for the spring eyes, (left) are a different size than the replacement bushings for the equalizer (below). I had ordered bushings from NAPA auto parts (that came in the very next day) for all the bushings not knowing I would need smaller ones for the equalizer. this required another trip to town to buy six smaller ones. I also discovered that the straps that connect the spring eye to the equalizer were badly worn. (See worn parts picture at bottom) I purchased new straps too. I checked the holes in the equalizer carefully to make sure they were not elongated. Some of these were slightly worn where the bolts had worn through the bushings but were still OK to use for now. I think if I do this project again, I'll take the equalizers to a machine shop with a couple of new bushings and have the holes reamed to match the large size bushing. That way I'll only need to buy one size next time. It will also prevent buying a new equalizer if the bushing holes become too elongated for the smaller size bushing

Pressing the bushings into the holes in the equalizer was more challenging than in the spring eyes. The bushings were slightly larger than the holes which allowed for a very tight fit. I greased the outside of each bushing when I discovered that the first one I installed stopped about 1/32 of an inch short. The rest of the bushings all went in fairly easily after that.
I had discussed this when I bought the new smaller bushings with the guy who owns the repair shop but didn't get any information from him.

Here you can see some of the tools and the worn out bushings and straps that I replaced. Virtually all of the bushings were worn out. some very badly. Two of the straps were badly worn too. This was because they had not been properly tightened at the factory. There were actually several instances of this. I used a four inch lag bolt and a large socket to remove the old bushings from the spring eyes. It would not fit though the hole in the equalizers so I used needle nosed plyers and the knife in my leatherman to remove those. I just put the lag bolt through the bushing in the spring eye, then though the bolt with a washer and nut behind the socket. Tightening the bolt pulled the bushing into the socket and out of the spring eye. To install new bushings in the spring eyes and in the equalizer, I put a large fender washer on the bolt, then the bushing. Then I put the bolt through the hole and added a heavy fender washer and bolt on the back side. I had to take time to get the bushings properly started and greased in the equalizers as these were a very tight fit and hard to start. The spring eyes were no problem. Once again I just tightened the nut on the bolt to pull the bushing into the holes. If the bushing didn't go all the way in I trimmed them with my knife. I had a couple that did this but they had gone in far enough that I didn't need to replace them.

The most challenging part of this was working under the trailer and moving my jacks around. I used two hydrolic jacks to lift the trailer and set in on blocks. I also used the same jacks to raise and lower the axles as I adjusted them when putting the bolts back into the holes. and re-assembling the suspension system. I also used a come-along for some minor horizontal adjustments where needed. In my case I re-bushed the two ends of the spring first and re-attached them before dis-assembling the others. This kept things in line pretty well and I didn't have problems later trying to re-align everything. Once I did this I let the axles down on blocks and the equalizers went totally slack. That meant that I could do all five bushings at once and totally remove the equalizer to work on it. It went back easily except for the last strap. on both sides the last strap didn't want to align properly so the bolt would go through as it should. I had to work on this quite awhile by trying different tactics until they finally fit. On one side the problem was that the spring had twisted slightly. On the other I simply couldn't quite the the strap hole to align. I finally just tightened the nut until it popped into place.

My total bill for parts came to about $23.00 dollars but required three 32 mile round trips to town. It took me about eight or nine actual work hours to do the work. Since we were still occupying the trailer as I did this I had to do one side while working under the slides. It kept me in the shade, and since I was sitting most of the time it wasn't too bad. Removing and re-installing the tires was the hardest part here.

I checked the brakes as I removed the wheels and decided against replacing them. My Dexter manual states that if they are 1/16 inch or less, they should be replaced. Mine were well over that so I'll save that project until next year. My bearing all looked good too but my drums all have been very hot at one time or another. Also I forgot to check the electric magnets that make the brakes work so I need to do that next time too.

The only thing left for me to do now is torque all the lug nuts to the proper setting (120ftlbs) and tighten the bolts on the first side of the spring shackles again. I learned more about this as I did the second side so I will go back and do it again just to be sure everything is right.

I this helps you if you decide to do this project. I did it in an old horse pasture because that's the only place I had available at the time. I would recommend doing it on a harder surface if you can.

Keeping your Doctor Informed While RVing On the Road

Did you know that you can keep your BP and other records on a document in google's gmail and give your doctor an invitation to view it as needed?

All you need is internet access, a gmail account, which is free, and the ability to make simple spreadsheets. Once you've created the spreadsheet you just click on the "Share" tab and give your doctor an invitation to view it. You will need an email address for the doctor but that is all. Because the document resides on google's server even when you are offline your doctor can view it even when you might not have internet access. You just update your data when you can get online again.

If you are a Full Timer, or you do a lot of rving, this can have real advantages.Especially if you spend time boondocking way out in the boondocks. I don't know about you but for us, getting prescriptions refilled while on the road can be a real hastle at times. Especially when my doctor hasn't seen me in awhile and needs the data to confidently make informed decisions.

Keep in mind that doctors are some of the busiest people in the world so don't send them emails or data readings except when you need to or they ask for it.

I recommend that you ask your doctor if this would be something that would be helpful in your situation. I don't think I would simply start sending invitations to view your spreadsheets without making sure they are welcome. Surely we don't want to abuse this opportunity but we do want to take advantage of it if it helps our doctors do a better and more efficient job.

What tools and equipment do I need in my RV

I carry lots of tools. They add weight but as a full timer I don't have a shop back home to go to when I have a project to do.

All my tools are placed on the left side of the trailer where my dump valves and other " trailer business" type stuff is. I carry a two drawer tool box in my rig. This is also where I keep the wrench for lowering the rear stabilizers and the one for lowering the spare tire and so on.

Inside my tool box I have a large assortment of adjustable wrenches, a 3/8drive socket set, vehicle and household multi-testers, cutting tools, screwdrivers, and so on. I also carry a small Dremel tool set, a battery charger, and one of those Black and Decker battery powered kits that includes a drill, saw and other tools. I have a small block plane, dovetail saw, and a little handsaw with four changeable blades. I haven't seen one of these for sale in years and don't know if you can even get them anymore but mine is really handy. Because I occasionally modify some of the features of my trailer, I also carry a hole saw kit for when I need to knock a hole in the side of my rig for another accessory or something. (See a previous post about make the rig suit your needs.)

A couple of other essential items for me include my 18 gauge DeWalt Brad Nailer and a small Campbell air compressor. The brad nailer is the same size the factory uses to tack trim and a lot of other parts of your rig together and I often state I could rebuild my rig with mine if I had to.

I have several large Rubber Maid tubs that I store other stuff in. One contains all my spare sewer hose and connectors. Another holds all the extra electronic items I might need like television cables, junction boxes, switches, and so on. Two other large tubs hold caulking and sealers that I use for emergency leak repair, and other misc. items that I might need and usually do. One final tub holds all the various cans of cleaner, lubricant, paint, polish, soap, and stuff for washing the truck and trailer and providing maintenance as needed.

I have one small plastic container with all the fresh water connectors and what not too. It's just large enough to put a couple of new water filter cartridges in for use later.

That's about the size of it. I can fix my roof, make minor repairs to my truck, build small things out of wood, and generally handle about anything that comes along if I have to. Owning and living in an RV full time isn't much different than owning a house. You still need to be able to make repairs or do maintenance from time to time. Some folks can afford to pay someone else to work on their rig. I prefer to do it myself unless it's beyond my ability.