Shakles

Trailer Shackles

What is a shackle?

It is the link between a leaf springs and the frame of a trailer, car, or truck.

The shinny parts are the new shackles These are heavy duty and the bolts have grease fittings. In addition the bushings are brass.
The old shackles were a thinner gauge material, no grease fittings and were installed with nylon bushings. I also replaced the mounting bolts at the other ends of the leaf springs and the bolt in the center of this picture that fastens the equalizer to the frame. These bolts also have grease fittings.
While I was at it I had the axles aligned. This is accomplished by actually bending the axles. Make sure this is done by a qualified shop or you'll be paying to make things worse.

To strengthen the mounts, that were bent, the shop welded 1" square stock between the left and right mounts in three places. The center support is seen here in the upper center of this picture.

How to tell if your shackles are wearing out. Notice the space in the upper hole. The bolts of a new shackle fit so tight that it is very difficult to turn it with a wrench. This shackle still had 1/8 of an inch before it broke.
Installed on the trailer it's difficult to see the hole elongating. You must look for signs of the nut and head of the bolt making a wear pattern on the outer surface of the shackle. The other clue of sever wear is if you can see light through the hole past the nut or head.
Ours had about 20,000 to 25,000 miles on them

We had our work done at Henderson's Line-up in Grants Pass, Oregon. I highly recommend these guys for work on trailers and motorhomes. I also heard good reviews from Eric's Performance RV in Sequim, Washington.