I installed the entire E-Z Flex kit about 18 months ago. We have about 8,000 mile on the RV before I found out about the problem. Mine was one that had the bad batch of rubber and was replaced by Dexter without any problem. I was leaving home for New Jersey, 4,500 mile trip for us at the time so Dexter sent the replacement parts to me when I returned late May. I had asked was it OK to travel and was told that the only difference was "it would not take as much bounce out." I did have two blowouts on this trip, both on the front axle but who knows what caused those. Upon taking the old parts off I checked the other parts of the suspension, I found that the bushing (Dexter kit) were worn out in both ends of the springs(curb side),these had been replaced when the kit was installed. I ordered another set of bushings from Dexter to replace those. When I went to replace them I found that the eyelets in the springs were worn so bad that the bushings would never last. I have now put new springs on the curb side. Since retiring we travel several time a year and I want no problems on the road. I am taking the street side apart later today
and will replace springs and bushing there also.
I am very concerned that the replacement parts will be bad as I have seen that many others have replaced them several times. Also some may have replaced the parts without checking any further and may end up with major damage if some of the damaged parts fail.
Sorry to hear about your suspension problems. I would take pictures of the worn parts and see if Dexter will help in the cost of replacing them. Atleast the bushings and the springs. just my .02
Just a suggestion. I installed wet bolts and EZ-Flex about 18 months ago. This spring I had some issues with shocks and sagging springs. I replaced the springs and found some unusual wear as well. 2 of my tires had to be replaced. One for a broken belt and the other because of excessive wear on one edge. The trailer is going in to have the wheel alignment checked this coming week. You might look in to that as well. BTW my EZ-Flex rubbers are good.
"I found that the bushing (Dexter kit) were worn out in both ends of the springs(curb side),these had been replaced when the kit was installed." I assumed he had already replaced the cheap plastic with the bronze bushings. Also, did you install wet bolts and grease them or did you put the regular bolts in the hangers. To me it sounds like they were run with grease in the bushings. just my .02
I replaced the plastic bushings when I installed the kit. The kit bolts and bushings were used, installed with grease on them and greased after installation with a hand grease gun. Holes in the bolts as per instruction with kit. One of my tires (curb side rear axle)also is showing some wear on the outside. When I finish replacing everything I will be taking the trailer to have the alignment checked and reweighed to be sure axle weights are correct as the new springs are not sagging like the old ones were. I think sagging is because Holiday Rambler used a lighter spring on the 6,000 pound axle. By checking I found that the spring is really 2,800 pound spring, I put 3,300 pounds ones on so I am now have one and three quarters inch more arch in the new spring.
Cool Canuck, were the eyelets egg shaped on your old springs? Mine were fine 18 months ago when I installed the kit, and took grease fine before we too off for New Jersey. I think all the damage to my trailer was because I did not replace the parts when I first found about the bad Dexter parts. Nealy 5,000 miles can do a lot of damage if all the parts are not working properly.
bkick wrote: --snip--
Cool Canuck, were the eyelets egg shaped on your old springs? Mine were fine 18 months ago when I installed the kit, and took grease fine before we too off for New Jersey. I think all the damage to my trailer was because I did not replace the parts when I first found about the bad Dexter parts. Nealy 5,000 miles can do a lot of damage if all the parts are not working properly.
The spring ends were fine. Some of those bushings had bits broke off, but I've come to expect that as the spring eyelets are never round to start with. No, a couple of the ends of the EZ-Flex were starting to oval on one side. The shock absorbers were all jammed up and with the sagging springs, I don't know what cause what. Now the trouble is, I've replaced pretty much everything under this trailer and I don't know if I've fixed all the issues or not. The alignment should be telling. One of the axles has been replaced on this trailer before I bought it. I'm beginning to wonder if it is on backwards. There are no tags or brakes wires running in it.
