Alcan Springs Quote for Jan-2026

[Chris Scarff]

@Tideline77 I forgot.  I ordered them from 4 STATE TRUCKS. https://www.4statetrucks.com/

 

[Chris Scarff]

I only have 1 day before I depart for the Eggs & S'Mores rally in FL.  No time to install springs with the need to work today.  oh well.  

The UPS guy, who was quite large, carried both 50 lb boxes of Alcan springs in a bear-hug style.  I was impressed.

I'm ready with some awesome new tools.  

 

Edited January 14 by Chris Scarff

[Geronimo John]

Chris:  Some thoughts about the standard wet bolts vs step bolts for trailer springs:

 

Standard bolts generally used for light duty trailer shackles using a 9/16" diameter shackle bolts without a zirk fitting.  Step Wet Bolts Bolts are used for heavy duty axles where the step is necessary for proper function with bronze bushings.  I believe that all of the OTT trailers, and the most other heavy duty trailer spring shackle bolts are step bolts.  Yet Alcon is using a standard bolts.    This got me wondering about the topic. 

Wet bolts sandwich the springs between the subframe mounting "tabs".  With the step,  the step bolts mechanically limit the clamping of the springs.  The result is that the bolt head is prevented from turning in the mounting tabs by two means.  First, the splines.  Secondly the friction on the tabs by the step and the nut itseld.  As a result of the design, the spring always has some clearance allowing it to more freely rotate relative to the bolt center line.  

My concerns are:

• The Alcans could easily be over tightened thereby forcing the mounting tangs against the springs.  This process  would result in the spring binding in the tabs and facilitate the stripping of the bolt splines thus creating a "spun bolt".  A spun bolt will act as a crude bearing causing the mounting tab holes to quickly wear.  And the repair is rather difficult.  Been there myself.
• Use of Nylock's in high torque situtations often results in the Nylock becoming impossible to remove with hand tools.  To do so, one will likely want access to air tools or electric grinders to literally cut the nut off.  Trying to do so with a hack saw and punch will be tedious, especially it appears that their bolts are very high quality grade 8. 
• As such, failure of a wet bolt will complicate life a lot.  

The only way I would want standard bolts for a splined application is if the bolt head head was fixed using a Hex Capture Washer.  After two years of working with OTT Jason, this approach ended up being the only acceptable repair for such a mistake.   

 DIY - Dexter EZ-Flex Center Bolt Spline Repair (20 APR 2024).docx

What are your thoughts about Alcon not using step bolts on our springs?   

Thanks

GJ

 

[2008RN]

@Geronimo John

I have to agree with you. about using the Step wet bolts.  When I was installing the Alcan springs in the Oli. I used the wet bolts from Alcan and found when Torqued down to the specs, I could not get grease through the sides on the Bushing.   I finally measured the step bolts and the measured the springs and carriers. I found that the should bolt allowed just over .010 slop.  This allowed grease to come out of the sides and allowed the shackles and springs to move freely.    This allows the EZ-Flex to move freely, and do what it was designed for.  

All of the stress is on the bolt itself and is  not on the threaded shoulder thus allowing a lower torque.