Full Suspension Replacement - Alcan Spring and Dexter D52 Axles

[Ronbrink]

7 hours ago, jd1923 said:

If you replaced your wet-bolts, purchased the HD shackles and wet-bolt setup from Alcan, the Zerk thread size is 1/4"-28. I purchased this 50-pack, zinc-plated steel like OEM (could not easily find brass or SS in this size).

For future reference:

 

Edited October 4 by Ronbrink

[jd1923]

$24 for qty 10, too bad it's not for the dozen (qty 12) required, so total with Grainger would be $48 plus shipping. I'll stick with $10 and Prime shipping for qty 50 zinc-plated steel!

First 2 Oliver friends we run into this winter in the Arizona desert... Just ask me and I'll have a dozen free 45-degree Zerks for you! 😎 (for those with Alcan wet-bolts)

I'm going without the rubber caps this time. The ones I took off seemed to be dirt magnets! I'll do what I've always done, use a brass brush and paper towel, clean them before lubing! I've never seen Zerks capped on a car or truck suspension.

[johnwen]

6 hours ago, jd1923 said:

I'm going without the rubber caps this time. The ones I took off seemed to be dirt magnets! I'll do what I've always done, use a brass brush and paper towel, clean them before lubing! I've never seen Zerks capped on a car or truck suspension.

I may follow suit John :)

[jd1923]

On 10/3/2025 at 7:05 PM, jd1923 said:

If you replaced your wet-bolts, purchased the HD shackles and wet-bolt setup from Alcan, the Zerk thread size is 1/4"-28. I purchased this 50-pack, zinc-plated steel like OEM (could not easily find brass or SS in this size). Nice longer threads on this product:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQBPTK3Y?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1

Update: I installed these grease fittings before our trip, but had not greased them since that was just done. Today, I got under the trailer to re-torque the new suspension and then to grease the wet-bolts after our 1000-mile trip. These aftermarket "Zerks" must be of poor quality! When greasing with a power grease gun, using the LockNLube fitting, grease was leaking at the entry point. These must be substandard in size or shape as the LockNLube generally connects tight without leaking. Amazon is getting another return! Good thing it's only a 10-min job to change them out!

So, back to the drawing board on these. Thinking I will order two Dorman 852-703 (6-packs). Hopefully the Dorman brand is still good quality today. They market them as "Automotive Grade." These are zinc-plated. I would be leery of stainless steel fittings as they will certainly be off-brand (zinc being what’s standard in SAE automotive hardware). 

BTW, after torquing at 30, 60, 240 and 1020 miles, the last time tightening required was negligible! I'll check them again next summer after several winter and spring outings. All done, all good! 😎

Edited October 13 by jd1923