How Tight Should Shackle Bolts Be Tightened On Trailer

Question

Question:

I have just replaced the shackles, equalizers and bolts on my tandem 3500# Dexter axles. How tight do I make the shackle bolts? Do I bottom them out on the bolt shoulders or leave them a little loose so the assembly can move?

asked by: Tom P

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

There should be enough free play in the shackles to allow them to move.

There is no specific torque rating for shackle bolts. The first thing you should make sure of is that the bolts you use are long enough so that when installed you will have at least 2 threads protruding from the nut.

Next, make sure that the nut you are using is a locking nut, so that it cannot work loose and fall off.

If the bolt you are using has knurls at the bolt head you will want to tighten the bolt down until the knurls go through the shackle link or spring/equalizer hanger and the bolt head is flush. Then, back off the nut just a bit so that all of the components are pulled together but not so tight they cannot move.

I have attached a helpful article that explains trailer suspension you can check out. I have also attached a video about replacing shackle bolts you can take a look at.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

1

Gilbert

5/11/2024

Very good information thank you

Cody

4/17/2025

Thank You, Sir! Good and straight to the point. I’ll go loosen my “way over tightened” shackles.

Chris R.

5/2/2025

@Cody No problem!

Neil

6/28/2025

@Cody Haha, I got on here just for this. Good to know.

Garvin C.

11/16/2025

I just replaced all 4 2200 lb leaf springs with 2500 lb leaf springs, New 1/2" U bolts. Both oem equalizers, thick shackles, Replaced reg bolts with wet bolts on a 2010 keystone cougar 278 RKS. 5th wheel. I torqued U bolts to 70 ft lbs. Equalizer hanger to 50 lbs. Shackle bolts to 50 ft lbs. I torqued everything while suspension was hanging. I put tires back on and put them on the ground. Do I need to loosen and re tighten anything before using ?

Robin H.

11/18/2025

@GarvinC as long as you used the correct torque spec for those parts you can leave everything as is.

Garvin

11/18/2025

Thank you. The previous Q & A before this one states a quite different procedure. I'm confused

Don B.

1/20/2026

If the nuts are not locking types can loctite blue or red be utilized?

Emmett

8/6/2026

You have confused me here because the upgrade kit that I bought from you guys says to torque the shackle bolts to 50 ft lbs in the instructions and the lippert site says 30 to 50 ft lbs! Every where I turn I get conflicting answers! My first first reaction and past practice is to tighten then loosen until I could move them but I have had issues with wallowed eyes and worn parts so I had come to the conclusion that I was doing something wrong so against my personal judgement I torqued and left them. In my mind if the components are matched and sized appropriately the shoulder on the shackle bolt should stop the nut at the proper tolerance but it just seems tight to me but I do have about 4k miles since I did the upgrade with no issues. Regardless it's frustrating that there are so many conflicting answers.

Kate F.

8/6/2026

@Emmett You're correct, Emmett. If the instructions that came with your kit say to torque the wet bolts to 50 ft-lbs, that's what I'd recommend doing. We always recommend following the instructions that come with the specific kit because manufacturers can update their hardware or specifications over time. That's also why we don't list torque specs in our answers. If a manufacturer changes the recommendation, we don't want outdated information floating around. It sounds like you installed everything correctly, and with 4,000 miles on it without any issues, I'd say you're in good shape. Thanks for bringing this up. I can definitely see how the conflicting information would be frustrating.

Answer 1

There is no specific torque rating for shackle bolts. You'll want to ensure that the bolts you use are long enough so that when installed you will have at least 2 threads protruding from the nut. Make sure that the bolt you're using has a…

view full answer...

Answer 2

There is no specific torque rating for shackle bolts. Basically for the middle bolt there should be enough free play in the shackles to allow them to move. Tightening the shackle bolts too much will squeeze the shackle straps against the leaf springs…

view full answer...

Answer 3

If there is a tiny bit of play in suspension components that are designed to move you would be fine. 1/16 of an inch isn't very much, and as long as you torqued everything down to spec you would be good to go. Ideally we just don't want it…

view full answer...

Answer 4

Hello Robert from Norway, and greetings from Wentzville Missouri USA! The 2 bolts for the leaf spring should be tightened but there is no specific torque setting. You don't want them too tight because this could cause the suspension to bind. The…

view full answer...

Answer 5

Hey Aidan, a small amount of play is fine in your leaf springs. If the springs are sagging significantly then that could indicate that your springs are worn or there may be other suspension problems. If you notice any of that, then you are going to…

view full answer...

Answer 6

The common recommendation with oil bath hubs is to not mess with them at all as long as they aren't leaking or the oil isn't milky looking. Some say to change every two years but most will say that as long as everything looks good just leave…

view full answer...

Answer 7

Hey Dustin, thanks for reaching out! You'll need the MORryde ALLTREK 4000 #MR89DR if you have a 33" wheelbase, or the kit #MR29DR if you have a 35" wheelbase. The wheelbase is measured from the center of the front wheel to the center of…

view full answer...

Answer 8

Hey Wayne, The correct way to measure shackle straps would be from center to center of the eyelets. If your shackle straps are worn out and the holes are oblong then you'll want to remove the bolts and you'll have to guess a bit where the…

view full answer...

Answer 9

Hey Darvin, we have the wet bolt part #126B2 which you can use for the suspension bolts on your trailer suspension. This is the standard size bolt that your axle suspension would have currently. Or are you looking for a kit that includes more…

view full answer...

Answer 10

The length of the threaded portion of the cylinder is 1/2". However, when you put the rubber washer on the cylinder and the back nut on as little as possible, the remaining clearance is 1/4". I have attached two pictures showing this.

view full answer...

Answer 11

On Dexter 12" Nev-R-Adjust Electric Brake Assembly #23-458 the shoe pad thickness is 3/16 of an inch. Dexter says that you should replace the shoes if the material gets down to 1/16 of an inch thick or less.

view full answer...

Answer 12

Are there any visible signs of wear on the magnets like exposed windings then that would indicate they need replacing. Magnets can go bad without showing visible signs of wear though. To see how to troubleshoot them check out the help article I…

view full answer...

How Tight Should Shackle Bolts Be Tightened On Trailer

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Featured Help Information

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching