Troubleshooting Installation of Dexter E-Z Flex Suspension Kit With Shackles Hanging Down

Question:

I have a older car hauler. 5 lug tandem 2-3/8”axle. #3,500? I replaced the suspension with Dexter K71-652-00 . It had 7.5” equalizers and the shackles stood straight up. The back wheel would get locked in the up position. Dexter shows the 5.5” equalizer as the correct one. The shackles in the kit were shorter. The angle of the shackles looked good until I lowered the axles, then they flipped down. Will 26” leafs solve my problem? It has 25.25” leafs now. Trying to figure the geometry and what was there originally. Thank you.

asked by: Terran

Expert Reply:

I wouldn't get caught up in how the shackles are positioned while installing the Dexter E-Z Flex # K71-652-00. The shackles won't be hanging down like that when you put weight back on the axles and leaf springs.

The fact that the angle was good before you lowered the axles means they are fine and I wouldn't change any other components. In the end it should look like a "W." Typically you have to drive the trailer a little to get them into place following the installation.

Take a look at the picture below where I had these installed on my trailer. This is right after the installation and one is flipped down and the other is up. A little bit of driving and a few bumps later the shackles were in the perfect position and have remained there since.

If you also watch the attached installation video, you can see how the shackles are flipped down while the trailer is lifted just like yours are in that photo. At one point Kevin jacks up the axle more to install one of the shackles which gets it back in the correct position. The only reason they're hanging down is because the axles are also hanging without any weight on them.

expert reply by: Robin H