Proper Position of Equalizer and Shackles on Trailer Suspension

Question

Question:

I just installed new Springs hangers equalizers. Are these shackles on The Equalizer suppose to be up?

asked by: Jr. L

0

Expert Reply:

I attached a picture that shows the proper position of shackles and equalizers on trailer suspension. Sometimes the shackle will flip up but if you jack up the trailer by the axle that's got the shackle flipped you can usually get it to flip back over.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

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Answer 1

The correct hanger spacing for your trailer will depend on several factors; I cannot generalize and give you a specific figure. Hanger spacing depends on spring length, the size of the equalizers used and the length of the shackle straps. The linked…

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Answer 2

Thank you for the measurements you provided and for the photo of your trailer suspension mockup showing the spring components' spacing. As long as your shackles do not hit the trailer frame (you mention 1/8-inch clearance) you should be fine, but…

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Answer 3

If the shackles are flipping the wrong direction frequently that typically means the leaf springs are too short, the hanger spacing is too big, or the shackles are too short. Most of the time it's somebody changed leaf springs and just went with…

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Answer 4

The suspension in general on your trailer looks very worn. I would replace as much as I could on it to get it back to good working order. The problem with the equalizer cocked to one side like that can happen sometimes. It usually fixes itself when a…

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Answer 5

The shackles on your equalizers should be pointing up when the trailer is under its weight on the ground, and will only point down like you mentioned when the trailer is in the air and the axles are off the ground. It is pretty common for one side of…

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Answer 6

Having the shackles below the equalizer would put the leaf spring out of level. Also, the equalizer wouldn't want to function properly and most likely the shackle would end up flipping over to the top of it or binding up/putting undue stress on…

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Answer 7

Ff the springs you are installing are 25-1/4 inches, you would need to place the hangers between 24-3/4 and 25 inches apart. The shackle should be angled as the drawing shows in the attached helpful article, which should be toward the rear of the…

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Answer 8

There isn't an exact angle to go off of when it it comes to shackle straps, but we try to them to sit in a 'W' shape to allow for the suspension to travel without binding up. Depending on the length of the shackle straps the angle can…

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Answer 9

You can use leaf springs that are rated higher than the axle without any issues as long as they measure the correct measurement for your trailer. For example the 6-leaf double eye spring for 7,000 lb axles part #e64SR measures 24-7/8" eye to…

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Answer 10

Ideally you can get the measurement of your axle by using a precision instrument like a digital caliper similar to Item #PTW80157. There is also often a sticker or a tag on your trailer axle that tells you the weight capacity of your axle which can…

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Answer 11

It is not uncommon for the trailer hangers on a tandem axle trailer to be all the same size or for there to be different sizes that can be 1-1/2 to 2 inches different in height when you compare the center hanger to the front and rear. For example,…

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Answer 12

Sounds like one of your shackles is facing the wrong direction after installing everything. When a shackle flips around and faces the wrong direction on trailer suspension most of the time just putting weight on the trailer and driving will correct…

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Proper Position of Equalizer and Shackles on Trailer Suspension

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