I finally took the time to find suitable replacement suspension parts for the Breakaway leaf spring bushings and shackles.

First of all, Spartan recommended parts are NOT correct and will not work correctly!! They have superseded Bushing and shackle part numbers from somewhere!

Correct spring end bushing parts can be sourced from Dayton parts.

Correct bushing part numbers: RB-135

Outer shell diameter: 1 3/4 inch
Outer shell length: 3.0 inch
Inner sleeve inside diameter: 3/4 inch
Inner sleeve length: 3 1/2 inch

Correct Dayton shackle part number: 330-375
Shackle has RB-135 bushing installed
Hole diameter of leg mounting: 3/4 inch
Shackle leg inside mounting width 3 1/2 inch

History:
Spartan previously sold us their shackle part number 0106-SS1 which was correct size. Since 2011 they list 0109-SS1 as a replacement but is NOT correct!. This shackle can be made to fit but it is wider (3 5/8 inch) but the most important difference is the bushing hole diameter and in the legs of the shackle is 21mm. Bolts in our chassis are 3/4 inch or 19mm. May not look like a big difference but this will result in a very annoying CLUNK in the front end as the shackle legs and bushings wear and move around (+/-4mm) during suspension activity. I would also believe that there would be slop in the steering response as this type of movement could allow axle movement side to side. Rear axle could also have similar issues.

HTH

Does this information pertain to this post.
This link may help others find out why this was a problem for your Spartan.

quote:

Originally posted by MWrench:
In my discussion with them, most if not all '90s chassis documentation is now on microfiche and is located in a different location so the parts guys can not look directly for your part! Will slow down the response back.

It also appears that the stock they carry is not going to be correct for our chassis, upgrades are not correct and not be directly interchangeable.

Be careful when ordering, more later

Kevin, I have NO comment to your post! I guess the search function doesn't work! I am clear in my presentations about my issues and solutions, enough said!

I am done!

When I took the coach in for service in Gaylord they called Spartan Tues AM for part numbers on front brakes and steering. No response by Fri AM, so Gaylord called again and was informed that everyone was gone for the weekend and would not be available until Mon AM!

I brought the coach home Friday and I'm not sure what finally happened, I need to call today. I will try to get parts in hand before we make any further service plans.

Just one more reason why we need this site to document what we need for our coaches. Thanks Ed.

Excellent info Ed.

Crazy that Spartan isn't able to maintain records to get correct parts. I guess most Coaches are junked because of the stick and staple junk that is put on them.

We are the minority with solid, running valuable Barths!

I had an issue with my bushings on the rear springs. The parts spartan sent me were too big the fit. Fortunately Ferrara Spring in Springfield found the right ones and spartan refunded me in full and apologized.

This post helped me get the right bushings because the maintenance manual lists parts that are un-googleable.

My 1993 Winnebago Vectra which is on a Spartan EC-2000 chassis apparently also uses RB-135 (aka MR516) bushings for all locations (12 total).
Additionally the shackles are also Dayton 330-375 (aka M1711) - in that case, you'd only need 8 bushings.
Interestingly the original shackles were a different part number - E-691-22 Flagg which seem to comes with a bushing much narrower than the RB135 and will definitely not work. Maybe Spartan special ordered them with the RB-135.

I used all thread rod with some big sockets to press the bushings out and back in. Replacing the bushings on the shackles was a little more difficult for some reason so I ended up only doing 2 and got two new shackles with bushings to make things easier.

My original problem was that somehow some of the bushings were not centered in the leaf spring and/or shackle to the point that the leaf spring was rubbing against the hanger or the shackle was rubbing against the hanger. Secondary to that, the rubber looked dry rotted.
I installed the new ones centered, but after one 500 mile trip the problematic ones have shifted again.

Has anyone seen that issue before?