INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
E-Z Flex Suspension Kits

3.

Complete Kits:
K71-652-06: 33” Spacing, Tandem Axles, 6,000 lbs. Max. Capacity
K71-653-06: 35” Spacing, Tandem Axles, 8,000 lbs. Max. Capacity
K71-656-06: 33” Spacing, Triple Axles, 6,000 lbs. Max. Capacity
K71-657-06: 35” Spacing, Triple Axles, 8,000 lbs. Max. Capacity
Equalizer Only Kits:
K71-654-06: 33” Spacing, Tandem Axles, 6,000 lbs. Max. Capacity
K71-655-06: 35” Spacing, Tandem Axles, 8,000 lbs. Max. Capacity
K71-658-06: 33” Spacing, Triple Axles, 6,000 lbs. Max. Capacity
K71-659-06: 35” Spacing, Triple Axles, 8,000 lbs. Max. Capacity

The following steps only apply to complete kits. Equalizer only kits,
skip to Inspection step 1.

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 trailer manufacturer’s
recommendations for lifting and supporting the unit.

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

5.

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.

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

CAUTION

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

!

4.

Inspection:

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

7.

Disassembly:

Contact the trailer 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.

Axles and suspension components are heavy and must be carefully
handled to avoid pinching, straining or crushing injuries to the body.
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.

©2007-2021 Dexter Axle Company | www.dexteraxle.com

If the hanger bolt holes are worn, hangers should be replaced.

CAUTION

CAUTION

1.

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.

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.

!

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.

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059-A45-00 Rev. A | 2021.04

Spring Eye Bushing Replacement:

CAUTION

Steps only apply to complete kits. Equalizer only kits, skip to
Reassembly step 8.
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 of excessive wear, burrs and sharp edges before
proceeding. Damaged springs must be replaced.
2.

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.
3.

Use a suitable
hammer to drive
the bolt 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.

4.

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.

5.

Place the rear ends of the rear axles 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.

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

REASSEMBLY

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 store.
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.

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.

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.

6.

Repeat steps #4 and #5.

7.

Apply the supplied anti-seize packet or equivalent to the inside
of the steel bushing of the equalizer, then to the outside of the
center pivot bolt.

8.

Install the new E-Z Flex® equalizer by placing it inside the
center hanger, align the center hole of the equalizer to the holes
in 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.

CAUTION

CAUTION

If your center hanger has a welded reinforcement tube, you must
check for adequate clearance of the grease zerks.

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

9.

©2007-2021 Dexter Axle Company | www.dexteraxle.com

-2-

Insert the center pivot bolts through the hanger hole and into
the equalizer center hole.
059-A45-00 Rev. A | 2021.04

10. Use a suitable hammer to drive the center pivot bolts into the
hanger until the bolt head is seated against the hanger surface.

15. 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.

CAUTION

16. Lubricate all the grease fittings using a Lithium complex 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.

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.
11. Install the lock nut and tighten to 65-75 Ft. Lbs., thereby
pinching the protruding steel bushing between the inside
hanger side surfaces. On triple axle installation, install all
equalizers before attaching axles.
12. Attach the shackle link/
bolt assemblies to the
equalizers and spring
eyes. Lift the axles into
their standard operating
position with the
spring eyes above the
equalizers’ lower holes.
Insert the shackle link/
bolt subassembly into
both the equalizer and
spring eye at the same time.

17. Reconnect Brakes:
a. Electric: Remove protective sheathing from both magnet
and trailer wire lead, 3/8” from end. Insert and crimp bare
wire ends into butt connectors before using heat to seal the
connection. If thermal connectors are not available, please
use tape to seal the connection.

13. For triple axles only: 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.

a. Hydraulic: Make sure to reconnect the hydraulic lines at
all wheel ends with the appropriate torque for your brake
type. Then purge air from the brakes using the brake bleed
instructions from your actuation system.

14. 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.

2.

©2007-2021 Dexter Axle Company | www.dexteraxle.com

-3-

Reinstall the tire/wheel assemblies, following the instructions
provided by the manufacturer.

059-A45-00 Rev. A | 2021.04

©2007-2021 Dexter Axle Company | www.dexteraxle.com

-4-

059-A45-00 Rev. A | 2021.04

K71-653-06 & K71-657-06
E-Z Flex® Equalizer

Hex Locknut for Center Pivot Bolts

Flange Locknut for Shackle Bolts

K71-656-06
E-Z Flex® Equalizer

Shackle Link Assembly

K71-657-06
E-Z Flex® Equalizer

Optional End Designs

Shackle Link

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

Shackle Link Assembly

Front

Typical Tandem Axle Installation

Equalizer

Shoulder Shackle Bolts
Axis of Grease Cross-Hole

Center Pivot Bolt

Shackle Link Assembly
Axis of Grease Cross-Hole

Front

Triple
Equalizer

Typical Triple Axle Installation

Shackle Link
Assembly

Tandem
Equalizer

Center Pivot Bolt

Shoulder Shackle Bolts
Axis of Grease Cross-Hole
Bronze Bushings to be installed in spring eyes
prior to bolt and nut assembly attachment.

Center Pivot Bolt

If Static Bump Clearance is greater than 2.5”, a bump stop should be used to avoid over-stressing 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.

Hanger Identification:

K71-652-06 & K71-656-06
E-Z Flex® Equalizer

Bronze Bushing

Center Pivot Bolt

Shoulder Shackle Bolt with Grease Fitting

Parts Identification: