5/8-inch Short Shackle Bolt

5/8-inch Short Shackle Bolt Caravan and Trailer

5/8-inch short shackle bolts sold by Couplemate are a high tensile and 3.5-inch long.

Suits 45mm eye-to-eye with nylon bushes or shackle springs.

How do I measure my shackle bolt?

Measure from the tip of the thread to the underside of the hex head. 

Worn 5/8-inch Hangers

Yes, there is a fix for this problem.

• Standard hangers use a 3.5-inch shackle bolt, measured from under the head to the thread’s top.
• Cut the head off a centre hanger leaving 2 x halves left.
• Use a longer shackle bolt and bolt the two centre hanger halves over the existing hanger.
• Weld the two 1/2 inch plates over the old worn hangers.
• The problem is now fixed.

Sizes on offer

• 5/8-inch Long Greaseable Shackle Bolt
• 5/8-inch Standard Non-Greaseable Shackle Bolt
• Standard 5/8-inch Greaseable Shackle Bolt

Non-greaseable bolts fit inside a self-lubricating nylon bush and do not need grease. If your springs have nylon bushes, it is not advisable to change your pin to greaseable.

The knurl under the head has a particular purpose. The knurl locks into the shackle plate to help prevent the bolt from spinning during spring compressions. Broken welds are a good sign the bolts need replacement.

The knurl is welded onto the shackle plate on standard tandem and outback trailer springs to stop the bolt from turning. With a rotating bolt in the shackle plate, wear significantly increases.

News: How to fix Dangerous Caravan Vibration Fatigue

How to tighten suspension bolts.

• Tighten 16mm x 100mm greaseable bolt until home.
• Back off 1/4 turn.
• You need a small space between your shackle plates and spring; otherwise, you will develop an annoying squeak.
• This squeak is due to no tolerance between shackle plates and spring.

Associated Shackle Bolt Parts

• Shackle Plates – Caravan – Trailer
• 45mm Shackle Hanger Kit
• 45mm Tandem Shackle Hanger Kit
• 60mm Standard Tandem Hanger Kit

Purchase Electrogal 4-inch shackle bolt kits from our trailer parts range here.

• Standard non-greaseable shackle kit
• Outback Spring 16mm Greasable Shackle Kit

Note: The above shackle plate kits are laser cut, welded then plated by Couplemate.