Made in USA leaf springs

[2008RN]

22 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

43 pound/feet. The shoulder of the bolt will bottom out on the hanger, make sure it has done that then tighten. DO NOT attempt to use the nut to pull the bolt into place. It will strip the nut and ruin the wet bolt.

Do you press them in place?  If so, what is the best way to do this at home without a press?

[jd1923]

Just got this today and it looks great. Thanks to those who suggested it! amazon.com/dp/B00H7LPKKU?ref=fed_asin_title

Edited August 27 by jd1923

[MAX Burner]

They make lubing the wet bolts so much easier, @jd1923

 

[Geronimo John]

10 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Just got this today and it looks great.

Have had mine for over a year and love it.  You are correct in that it makes greasing our zerks much easier.

GJ

[ScubaRx]

On 8/25/2024 at 12:16 PM, ScubaRx said:

As you are the fourth owner, that may well be the case. I have pictures of yours and another being built for Jim Oliver in 2009. Jim was adamant about there being no such thing as overkill and I know he put 5200 pound axles and the larger five leaf springs under his. Being as all the current models were Elites (at that time) and the only axles and springs they would have had on hand would have been the HD's, I just assumed that yours were too. Jim named that trailer "The Beast" and it had full extension drawers mounted under the hull between the steps and the front axle.

Edit: @CRM has located a photo of the underside of Jim's "The Beast." It had four leaf spring packs rather than five so now I wonder if the axles were 5200 pounds when originally built.

[CRM]

3 minutes ago, ScubaRx said:

Edit: @CRM has located a photo of the underside of Jim's "The Beast." It had four leaf spring packs rather than five so now I wonder if the axles were 5200 pounds when originally built.

The axles tubes look to be a smaller diameter than mine, so maybe?

[ScubaRx]

On 8/26/2024 at 9:52 AM, 2008RN said:

Do you press them in place?  If so, what is the best way to do this at home without a press?

The wet bolt is only pressed into the shackle strap. I don't have a hydraulic press either but I do have a vise and a big ole hammer. Remove the zerk fitting from the end and drop it into the shackle strap orienting the grease exit hole 90 degrees to the strap. Loosely clamp the bolt into the vise and using your big ole hammer tap it down until the backside of the bolt head makes solid contact with the strap. Replace the zerk, or leave it out for now because you're probably gonna have to hit it again to make the shoulder seat against the strap on the other side. DO NOT use tightening the nut in an effort to pull it into place, you will only strip the nut and could damage the threads on the bolt.

FYI: In American English, a vice is an immoral habit or practice (or the second in command after the President) and a vise is a tool with closable jaws for clamping things. But in British English, the tool is spelled like the sin: vice.

[ScubaRx]

On 8/6/2024 at 7:23 AM, Ronbrink said:

You’ve heard it from me a time or two before and probably will a time or two again, “don’t thread on Crazy Horse”!

I have no idea what this means.

 

[John and Debbie]

On 8/26/2024 at 9:21 PM, jd1923 said:

Just got this today and it looks great. Thanks to those who suggested it! amazon.com/dp/B00H7LPKKU?ref=fed_asin_title

I have one too.  Don't unscrew and loosen the gripper too much as you can lose the little parts that grip on to the zerk.  There are about three or four little pieces that will be lost.  How do I know this?  I did just that and had to buy another 90 degree attachment.  Great tool though!

John

[rideandfly]

On 8/26/2024 at 10:52 AM, 2008RN said:

Do you press them in place?  If so, what is the best way to do this at home without a press?

Pins sometimes can be pressed in and out with something like a Ball Joint Service Kit if it will fit within the work space, but it's normally too expensive to justify for one job, unless a friend has one.

This Maddox kit from Harbor Freight looks very similar to my Pittsburg kit, it's on sale until 8/29/24 for $44.99:

https://www.harborfreight.com/ball-joint-service-kit-for-2wd-and-4wd-vehicles-63610.html

[jd1923]

5 hours ago, rideandfly said:

This Maddox kit from Harbor Freight looks very similar to my Pittsburg kit, it's on sale until 8/29/24 for $44.99:

Or you can go to O'Reilly's or most national chain A/P stores and borrow this same tool. They charge the cost of it to your credit card and bring it back in 1-2 days and they will refund/credit your card. We have an O'Reilly's 1/2 mile from home, and I have used their loaner program a good dozen times.

I purchased a ball joint press that is much longer required for some applications, but I do ball joint service regularly having rebuilt 3 truck suspensions in just the last 4 years. For the Oliver, just borrow one for free if you need it!

Edited August 29 by jd1923
3 in 4 years, not 2 years (my old body hurts enough!)

[ScubaRx]

Since you (or at least myself) would never try to press the wet bolts into the shackle straps while under the trailer, I can't see this being an issue or a useful tool. If you own a vise and a hammer, you have all the tools you need. If not, this job is probably beyond your capabilities.

Edited August 29 by ScubaRx

[rideandfly]

6 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

Since you (or at least myself) would never try to press the wet bolts into the shackle straps while under the trailer, I can't see this being an issue or a useful tool. If you own a vise and a hammer, you have all the tools you need. If not, this job is probably beyond your capabilities.

When someone makes a different choice on how to do a job does not mean they cannot perform a job. Most folks here probably use a hammer,  but there is another way.

Edited August 29 by rideandfly

[Geronimo John]

On 8/27/2024 at 11:56 AM, ScubaRx said:

The wet bolt is only pressed into the shackle strap. I don't have a hydraulic press either but I do have a vise and a big ole hammer.

Spot on ScubaRX.   Would add well greasing the spring and insert.  Also using a deadfall hammer would work a bit better than the big ole hammer.  May also cause less damage should we have eaten our Wheaties that morning.  🙂

GJ

[2008RN]

17 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

Since you (or at least myself) would never try to press the wet bolts into the shackle straps while under the trailer, I can't see this being an issue or a useful tool. If you own a vise and a hammer, you have all the tools you need. If not, this job is probably beyond your capabilities.

Yep, I have a hammer and a mounted vice.  I use to be a machinist, and sometimes my mind gets stuck in using proper tools. Big ole hammers and vices just remind me of blacksmithing and welding. I  almost thought of spending a few hundred bucks on a Table top arbor press that I could get the 10" drums under for pressing the bearings, but then I figured I was starting to get carried away. 

[2008RN]

6 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

Spot on ScubaRX.   Would add well greasing the spring and insert.  Also using a deadfall hammer would work a bit better than the big ole hammer.  May also cause less damage should we have eaten our Wheaties that morning.  🙂

GJ

I like the deadfall hammer I think I have a 2 pounder.  I also have a few large brass punches that I could use with the sledge.   I am starting to think it would be fun to borrow the Orielly's ball joint press.  I have never used one.

[rideadeuce]

Now y’all have given me an excuse to buy another tool - Dead-blow hammer. Although, I don’t think it would be necessary in this situation. I used a regular hammer and a 3/4 in socket to cover the zerk fitting and it seated easily over strong base like a vise. Unfortunately, I am in the process of changing out the 2 1/4 in shackles for 2 1/2 in shackles that Lew sent me. So after 3 subsequent wet bolt installs I have gotten fairly proficient at it. Hopefully, this time it will give me the necessary clearance for the easy flex to work properly. 

M

[rideadeuce]

Finally, leaf springs do not hit the Easy-Flex. Installed the 2 1/2 in shackles Lew sent me without difficulty.

Two jacks, 13/16 socket, 11/16 socket, 13/16 wrench, 3/8 and 1/2 in torque wrench, hammer, vise,  Impact wrench, wrags, and LockNLube grease gun.

I know I was 2 out 1500 on the coupler issue but I can't believe that I am the only one this was happening to after upgrading to the ALCAN springs. Happy that I did not cut them to fit and theoretically the increase in 1/2 in shackle length should lower the camper by the same. So the first pull up the driveway will be the test but I did cut off about 1/2 in of bolt length on the back of the bike rack to make up difference. Again, just happy that everything is back together and working. Looking forward to fall trip and going on the ALCAN eventually!

Best,

Mike 

BEFORE

AFTER

 

 

 

Edited August 31 by rideadeuce

[Patriot]

This morning we had the 5 leaf pack installed on Hull #634 XPLOR at the Alcan shop here in Grand Junction, CO. We had an excellent experience from start to finish. We opted for the upgraded heavier duty wet bolts, nyloc nuts, Alcan HD 2 1/2” shackles. Our Monroe shocks are still in good shape with less than 2500 miles on them. Over all very happy with the work performed by Tucker at Alcan, he has installed the custom 5 leaf pack on a number of Olivers.

Lew the owner was excellent to deal with and explained everything in detail. If you have questions about the install, parts or pricing, give Lew a call.  

Now we can get on with our trip to Utah, Wyoming and maybe Montana. 

Onward & Safe Travels!

Drop off early morning - yes we hit the loves to top off with diesel, saving 76 cents per gallon with our TDS Open Roads Fleet card. We love LOVES. Ha!

Thanking Lew 2.5 hrs later after the new leaf packs were installed.

Gotta have a little swag..

Decal swag -

Optional upgraded wet bolts.

Torque specs -

 

Edited September 8 by Patriot
Highlight torque spec for Ubolts and Shackles

[John Dorrer]

5 hours ago, Patriot said:

This morning we had the 5 leaf pack installed on Hull #634 XPLOR at the Alcan shop here in Grand Junction, CO. We had an excellent experience from start to finish. We opted for the upgraded heavier duty wet bolts, nyloc nuts, Alcan HD 2 1/2” shackles. Our Monroe shocks are still in good shape with less than 2500 miles on them. Over all very happy with the work performed by Tucker at Alcan, he has installed the custom 5 leaf pack on a number of Olivers.

Lew the owner was excellent to deal with and explained everything in detail. If you have questions about the install, parts or pricing, give Lew a call.  

Now we can get on with our trip to Utah, Wyoming and maybe Montana. 

Onward & Safe Travels!

Drop off early morning - yes we hit the loves to top off with diesel, saving 76 cents per gallon with our TDS Open Roads Fleet card. We love LOVES. Ha!

Thanking Lew 2.5 hrs later after the new leaf packs were installed.

Gotta have a little swag..

Decal swag -

Optional upgraded wet bolts.

Torque specs -

Nice. I will talk to you when we are together to discuss the torquing. I'm a bit confused looking at the drawing. I'm sure when it gets explained to us by Alcan it will make sense.

Edited September 7 by John Dorrer
Typo

[rideadeuce]

4 hours ago, Patriot said:

We opted for the upgraded heavier duty wet bolts, nyloc nuts, Alcan HD 2 1/2” shackles.

Glad to see he used the 2 1/2 in shackles. Now, I am not the only one. 🙂 Great post. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Edited September 7 by rideadeuce

[Patriot]

2 hours ago, John Dorrer said:

Nice. I will talk to you when we are together to discuss the torquing. I'm a bit confused looking at the drawing. I'm when it gets explained to us by Alcan it will make sense.

John, sounds great, it goes without saying, glad to help out. We’ll chat soon!

[Patriot]

16 minutes ago, rideadeuce said:

Glad to see he used the 2 1/2 in shackles. Now, I am not the only one. 🙂 Great post. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Thanks! 👍🏻😊

I like the 2 1/2” HD shackles. In fact I like just about everything HD or over engineered.

Glad I got this spring/shackle upgrade completed.✅ The Team at Alcan are top shelf!   

[SNY SD UP]

On 8/27/2024 at 4:40 PM, ScubaRx said:

Edit: @CRM has located a photo of the underside of Jim's "The Beast." It had four leaf spring packs rather than five so now I wonder if the axles were 5200 pounds when originally built.

Steve @ScubaRx

I copied this pic from @topgun2 "Jim Oliver's The Beast" Post, are we seeing 4 or 5 leaves on Jim's Beast?
Or do we not count the one that is rolled with the 'wet Bolts'???
Seriously asking for myself...
 

B~OUT

 

Link to Post for context,

 

Edited September 7 by SNY SD UP
Link to Post for context,

[Rivernerd]

12 hours ago, SNY SD UP said:

are we seeing 4 or 5 leaves on Jim's Beast?

Looks like 5 to me...