INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Heavy Duty Suspension Kits for Double Eye Springs
K71-358-00 for Single Axles
K71-359-00 for Tandem Axles with 33" Axle Spacing
K71-360-00 for Triple Axles
K71-448-00 for Tandem Axles with 4" High Equalizer
K71-449-00 for Tandem Axles with 35" Axle Spacing
K71-453-00 for Triple Axles with 35" Axle Spacing

Safety Precautions:
Before performing any maintenance or repair work
requiring the raising of the vehicle, make sure that
the vehicle is properly supported on lift stands of
sufficient capacity. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations for lifting and supporting the unit.
Do not lift with or place supports under any part of the
suspension system unless specifically directed to do so
during the disassembly and reassembly steps of these
instructions.

!

CAUTION

1. Examine the bolt holes in the frame hangers.
Holes that have been elongated or worn larger
will not provide for a proper fit of the new bolts.
The splined section of the bolt, adjacent to the
bolt head is designed to create an interference fit
in the hanger and prevent bolt rotation.

CAUTION

Disassembly:

CAUTION

Axles and suspension components are
heavy and must be carefully handled to avoid
pinching, straining or crushing injuries to the
body.
1. When the vehicle is raised and supported with
the tires just clear of the ground, remove the
wheel/tire assemblies from their respective hubs.
2. Disconnect any electrical wires or hydraulic brake
lines from the axles.

-1-

5. Remove the shackle link assemblies that attach
the leaf spring ends to the equalizers.

Inspection:

Safety glasses should be worn at all times
when assembling or disassembling axles
and their components. Failure to comply may
result in serious eye injury.

!

4. Carefully remove the spring ends from their
respective hangers by supporting their weight
and removing the bolts.

6. Slide the axles out from underneath the vehicle.

Never rely on jacks alone to support the
vehicle. A vehicle that is not securely
supported may fall and cause severe injuries
or death.

!

3. Place small jacks under the equalizers. Gently lift
the weight of the assembly until the bolts can be
easily removed from the center frame hangers.
Lower the partially disconnected assembly
until the equalizers are clear of their respective
hangers.

!

CAUTION

Loose fitting bolts can result in premature
wear and lead to eventual failure. Failure of
suspension components may cause loss
of vehicle control and result in an accident
involving personal property damage, serious
injury and/or death.
2. If the bolt holes in the hangers are worn, the
hangers should be replaced.

CAUTION
Contact the vehicle manufacturer for
specific instructions regarding the removal
of old hangers and installation of new
hangers. Improper cutting and welding of
these components can adversely affect the
structural integrity of the vehicle frame.

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© Dexter Axle Company 07/17
059-547-00 Rev. H

Spring Eye Bushing Replacement:
1. Remove the old bushings from the spring eyes,
driving them out with a suitable drift punch. Make
sure the spring eyes are clean and free from
excessive wear, burrs and sharp edges before
proceeding. Springs that have been damaged in
any way must be replaced.
2. Drive the new bronze bushings into the spring
eyes. The preferred method is to use a piloted
punch that closely fits the inside diameter of the
bushing. If a punch is not available, a ⁹⁄₁₆" bolt
can be substituted. Place the bushing squarely
against the spring eye, insert the punch (or
bolt) into the bushing and drive it into place by
firmly striking the punch (or bolt) with a suitable
hammer.

CAUTION
REASSEMBLY
Tandem Axle Suspension:
Note: Some trailer designs or tire sizes may prevent
easy access to the grease fittings when assembled
in the suggested fashion. The user may choose to
assemble the spring attaching bolts and shackle link
assemblies from the opposite direction. This will place
the grease fittings on the inboard side of the frame,
or the standard ¹⁄₄"-28 straight grease fittings can be
removed and replaced with an angled fitting. These
fittings should be available at most automotive parts
stores.
1. Slide the front and rear axles into position under
the frame hangers. Starting with the front axle, lift
the front ends of the springs and position them
between the legs of the front hangers with the
bolt holes aligned.
2. Insert the lubricated spring eye bolts through
the outside leg of the hanger, the spring eye and
start it through the inside leg of the hanger.

Note the specific radial orientation of the
grease holes in the illustrations. Failure
to orient the grease holes as shown may
restrict the free flow of lubricant and lead to
excessive wear.

-2-

CAUTION
DO NOT HAMMER directly on the grease
fitting. Striking the fitting will cause damage
and render it inoperable

CAUTION
Attempts to pull the bolt into place with an
impact wrench may strip the threads or cause
the bolt to spin and damage the hanger hole
and/or bolt spline.
4. Use a suitable hammer to drive the bolts into
place. To drive the bolts in, place a small piece
of pipe or steel tubing against the head of the
bolt. The tube should be approximately ³⁄₈" inside
diameter to encircle the grease fitting in the head
of the bolt. Strike the end of the tube squarely
and firmly. Avoid glancing blows.

Striking the bronze bushing directly with a
hammer may deform the inside diameter and
prevent reassembly of the bolts.

CAUTION

3. Read and observe the following cautions before
driving the bolts into place.

5. Continue driving the bolts into the hangers until
the bolt heads are seated against the hanger
surface. Install the flanged locknut onto the bolt
threads with the flanged side of the nut toward
the hanger. Tighten the nuts to 30-50 Ft. Lbs.
The nut should be seated against the shouldered
bolt end.
6. Place the rear ends of the rear axle springs
between the legs of the rear hangers. Insert the
lubricated spring eye bolts through the outside
leg of the hanger, the spring eye and start it
through the inside leg of the hanger.

CAUTION
Note the specific radial orientation of the
grease holes in the illustrations. Failure
to orient the grease holes as shown may
restrict the free flow of lubricant and lead to
excessive wear.
7. Repeat steps #4 and 5.
8. Install the new equalizers by placing them inside
their center hangers, align the center hole of the
equalizer to the holes in the hanger and insert
the non-lubricated bolt. Install the flanged locknut
onto the bolt threads with the flanged side of
the nut toward the hanger. Tighten the nuts to
30‑50 Ft. Lbs. The nut should be seated against
the shouldered bolt end.

www.dexteraxle.com

© Dexter Axle Company 07/17
059-547-00 Rev. H

9. Attach the shackle link/bolt assemblies to the
equalizers and spring eyes. The axles must
be lifted into their normal operating position
with the spring eyes above the lower holes
in the equalizers. Insert the shackle link/bolt
subassembly into both the equalizer and spring
eye at the same time.
10. Slide the plain shackle links onto the bolt ends
that protrude through the springs and equalizers.
Install the flanged lock nuts onto the bolts and
tighten to 30-50 Ft. Lbs.
11. Check the suspension for freedom of movement
by lifting either of the axles. When one axle is
lifted, the other should move downward and
should return to its normal position when the
lifting force is released.
12. Lubricate all the grease fittings using a Lithium
complex soap grease, NLGI No. 2 such as Mobil
Oil Company Mobilgrease HP or equivalent.
Pump the grease in until it begins to show at the
ends of the bronze bushings. For best results,
the suspension should be lubricated every 3,000
miles.
13. Reinstall the tire/wheel assemblies, following the
instructions provided by the manufacturer.

REASSEMBLY
Triple Axle Suspension:
1. Slide the front, center and rear axles into position
under the frame hangers. Starting with the front
axle, lift the front ends of the springs until they
are positioned between the legs of the front
hangers and are aligned to the bolt holes.
2. Insert the lubricated spring eye bolts through
the outside leg of the hanger, the spring eye and
start it through the inside leg of the hanger.

CAUTION
Note the specific radial orientation of the
grease holes in the illustrations. Failure
to orient the grease holes as shown may
restrict the free flow of lubricant and lead to
excessive wear.
3. Read and observe the following cautions before
driving the bolts into place.

CAUTION
DO NOT HAMMER directly on the grease
fitting. Striking the fitting will cause damage
and render it inoperable.

-3-

CAUTION
Attempts to pull the bolt into place with an
impact wrench may strip the treads or cause
the bolt to spin and damage the hanger hole
and/or bolt spline.
4. Use a suitable hammer to drive the bolts into
place. To drive the bolts in, place a small piece of
pipe or steel tubing against the head of the bolt.
The tube should be approximately ³⁄₈" diameter
inside to encircle the grease fitting in the head of
the bolt. Strike the end of the tube squarely and
firmly. Avoid glancing blows.
5. Continue driving the bolts into the hangers until
the bolt heads are seated against the hanger
surface. Install the flanged locknut onto the bolt
threads with the flanged side of the nut toward
the hanger. Tighten the nuts to 30-50 Ft. Lbs.
The nut should be seated against the shouldered
bolt end.
6. Install the new front equalizer by placing it inside
the center hanger, align the center hole of the
equalizer to the holes in the hanger and insert
the non-lubricated bolt. The yoke end of the
equalizer must be toward the rear of the vehicle.
7. Continuing with the center axle, lift the front ends
of the springs until they are positioned in the yoke
ends of the front equalizers and are aligned to
the bolt holes. Insert the lubricated bolts through
the holes taking care to orient the grease holes
as previously noted. Assemble and tighten the
nuts to 30-50 Ft. Lbs. The nuts should be seated
against the shouldered bolt ends.
8. Place the rear ends of the rear axle springs
between the legs of the rear hangers. Insert the
lubricated spring eye bolts through the outside
leg of the hanger, the spring eye and start it
through the inside leg of the hanger. Make sure
the grease holes are oriented as previously
noted. Assemble and tighten the nuts to
30‑50 Ft. Lbs. The nuts should be seated against
the shouldered bolt ends.
9. Attach the shackle link/bolt assemblies to the
equalizers and spring eyes. The axles must
be lifted into their normal operating position
with the spring eyes above the lower holes
in the equalizers. Insert the shackle link/bolt
subassembly into both the equalizer and spring
eye at the same time.
10. Slide the plain shackle links onto the bolt ends
that protrude through the springs and equalizers.
Install the flanged lock nuts onto the bolts and
tighten to 30‑50 Ft. Lbs.

www.dexteraxle.com

© Dexter Axle Company 07/17
059-547-00 Rev. H

11. Check the suspension for freedom of movement
by lifting any one of the axles. When one axle
is lifted, the others should move downward and
should return to their normal position when the
lifting force is released.
12. Lubricate all the grease fittings using a Lithium
complex soap grease, NLGI No. 2 such as Mobil
Oil Company Mobilgrease HP or equivalent.
Pump the grease in until it begins to show at the
ends of the bronze bushings. For best results,
the suspension should be lubricated every 3,000
miles.
13. Reinstall the tire/wheel assemblies, following the
instructions provided by the manufacturer.

-4-

www.dexteraxle.com

© Dexter Axle Company 07/17
059-547-00 Rev. H

Hanger Identification:
If Static Bump Clearance is greater than 2.5", a bump stop should be used to avoid overstressing of leaf springs.
Static Bump Clearance of less than 1.5" may limit full suspension movement and result in possible damage to
the frame and/or axles when operating on some rough and uneven road surfaces. Tire clearance should always
be greater than bump clearance to help prevent tire contact to underbody surfaces in the event of a suspension
component failure.

Parts Identification:
Bronze Bushing

13-10

Grease Lubricated
Step Bolt

ELKHART, IND

Non-Grease
Lubricated Step Bolt

4" high tandem axle equalizer
included in K71-448-00

13

Graphic revised 6/13/05
Shacklewere
Link hidden so Optional
3 paths
they End Designs
would not print.

10

4

Tandem axle equalizer
included in K71-359-00 and
rear equalizer for triple axle
in K71-360-00

FRONT

05

13-1

Shackle Link Assembly

Front equalizer
for triple axle running gear
included in K71-360-00
Note: Equalizers not shown are 13-122 included in K71-449-00 & K71-453-00; and 13-126 included in K71-453-00.

-5-

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© Dexter Axle Company 07/17
059-547-00 Rev. H

Single Axle Kit
Bronze Bushings

Forward

Grease Lubricated
Step Bolts

Axis of
Grease
Cross-Hole

Shackle Link Assemblies

Bronze bushings to be installed in spring eyes
prior to bolt and nut assembly attachment.

Typical Tandem Axle Installation
Non-Lubricated Step Bolts

Axis of
Grease
Cross-Hole

Equalizer
Shackle Link Assemblies

Axis of
Grease
Cross-Hole

Grease Lubricated Step Bolts
Bronze bushings to be installed in spring eyes
prior to bolt and nut assembly attachment.

Typical Triple Axle Installation
Axis of Grease
Cross-Hole

Non-Lubricated Step Bolts

Equalizer
Shackle Link Assembly

Axis of Grease
Cross-Hole

Equalizer
Shackle Link Assemblies

Grease Lubricated Step Bolts
Bronze bushings to be installed in spring eyes
prior to bolt and nut assembly attachment.

-6-

www.dexteraxle.com

© Dexter Axle Company 07/17
059-547-00 Rev. H