Hellwig AntiSway Bar - Page 5

Possum · #61 (**permalink**) 08-30-2003, 07:48 PM

Hi WONTUN!

If you go to the top of the page you will see a SEARCH button, click on that then type in Hellwig. There are many threads that discuss the complete installation of the anti-sway bar.

Dan

tremo · #62 (**permalink**) 08-30-2003, 09:38 PM

Good tips! FYI that I also wrote a How-To guide complete with pictures available to Club Members under: HOW-TO:Install a Hellwig Anti-Sway Bar on a '02 Toyota Tundra

Re:
5. Made sure I mounted the U-Bolts outside of the brake line mounting brackets. I know through all the threads that this is the preferred place. I also see that the Wheelers Off Road website shows the install in the same location. Good enough for them, then good enough for me.

Actually, I don't think this is correct. Here's a pic of my install:

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photo...cat=500&page=2

If you mount the U-bolts on the OUTSIDE of the brake line mounting brakets you will be off-center as to where the bushings need to mount on the sway bar. e.g. Each bushing needs to mount in the straight section of bar, not the curved section as would be the case if you mounted the U-bolts on the OUTSIDE of the brake line brackets.

The picture on Wheeler's web site is in error. Look at the right U-bolt...it's not even straight! (It's a poor representation of the "proper install" if you ask me.)

You will more properly load the sway bar if you mount the U-bolts perpendicular to the sway bar...

Seee-ya,

Jim.

WONTUN · #63 (**permalink**) 08-30-2003, 09:55 PM

Hi folks

There's a lot of good stuff out there with the searches for sure.

I must have read them all twice before buying and installing this set-up.

Does this re-open the can of worms about what is the best placement?

My D-bushings are very close to the curved edge but not quite right on.

I pondered this while I was under the truck today and when I went back to the Wheelers site and with what others have done
on and outside of this site, I decided to go for the wider spacing.

Here is the Wheelers link:

http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/hellwig.htm

Thanks for the comments and I'll give Gary Wheeler a call next week for his take and let you know what he says.

Maybe we need to ask the Hellwig designer/ME to get closure on this appplication? I'll send an email to see what they say.

Keep 'em comin' !

Jerry

SATundra · #64 (**permalink**) 08-30-2003, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tremo
5. Made sure I mounted the U-Bolts outside of the brake line mounting brackets. I know through all the threads that this is the preferred place. I also see that the Wheelers Off Road website shows the install in the same location. Good enough for them, then good enough for me.

Actually, I don't think this is correct. Here's a pic of my install:

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photo...cat=500&page=2

If you mount the U-bolts on the OUTSIDE of the brake line mounting brakets you will be off-center as to where the bushings need to mount on the sway bar. e.g. Each bushing needs to mount in the straight section of bar, not the curved section as would be the case if you mounted the U-bolts on the OUTSIDE of the brake line brackets.

The picture on Wheeler's web site is in error. Look at the right U-bolt...it's not even straight! (It's a poor representation of the "proper install" if you ask me.)

You will more properly load the sway bar if you mount the U-bolts perpendicular to the sway bar...

Seee-ya,

Jim. [/b]

Yep, thats the way I mounted mine as well.

You dont want it to far out. The farther out you mount it the MORE it works to keep the truck level. You dont want the ride to be to level, it has to work some. Im certain most everyone here would suggest moving yours in just a bit (other side of brake line).

There was a LONG thread on this from the first group buy from Macs Springs early last year. This subject was discussed at length for quit a while. In the end it was decided to put them just inside the brake line mounting point. Seemed to be where it worked best for most everyone.

Also I trimmed off about 3/4" off the ends of the U bolts after I had mine on for a while. Still have about that much thread left showing after I was done. It was just to long. Not sure if everyone else did this though.

This still gets my vote for "Best Mod".

WONTUN · #65 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 11:33 PM

Here is a reply to the U-Bolt placement discussion from 8-31-03.

This is information provided by Wheeler's Off-Road owner Gary Wheeler:

"The instructions say to put the u-bolts over the axle to the inside of the lower shock mounts and to place the saddle brackets onto the u-bolts so the saddle bracket is to the inside of the lower shock mounts. There's no measurements or rocket science to it and the instructions don't provide any better location info than that. We have good luck mounting them as pictured. The bar still moves freely in the bushings and the bar has plenty of room before the bend starts. Having the clamps that far apart provides the bar maximum leverage to work which is what you're installing it for. If someone else can mount the clamps somewhere closer inboard then that's fine. Like I said, there's no rocket science to it and our picture is not an improper installation. The u-bolts and bushings are not under any bind or side load, the bar moves freely up and down before mounting it to the end links and the clamps and u-bolts are fine in the picture."

And as a final follow-up from Gary:

"Take a look at the front factory sway bar. Notice how the D-bushings are out as far as possible and the bends coming in and going out start pretty much right on either side of the bushing. The factory sway bar only has a short straight spot for the bushing, with a curve on either side. I remember on some of the older toyotas that had the bar in front of the axle that the bushings were spaced right to the last point they could go before the bar curved. Most sports cars are like that, too...
Thanks,
Gary"

Hope this information is helpful in adddressing the U-bolt placement issue.

Thanks
Jerry

tremo · #66 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 12:26 AM

Thanks for the follow-up Jerry! Looks like either way is "correct", but he may have a point re "Having the clamps that far apart provides the bar maximum leverage to work which is what you're installing it for." From what I recall it was rather close to the curve part of the bar, but perhaps there's still room.

Q: Did you understand this comment "The bar still moves freely in the bushings..." Moves freely? How does that happen once it's all tightened down?

Seee-ya,

Jim.

WONTUN · #67 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 10:12 PM

Hi again

This was only in reference to the install before tightening it all down. You want to be sure that it does not bind and that it moves freely in the position that it is located. Binding would occur if it truly was in an incorrect location such as in an actual bend in the bar or near an obstruction.

I am very impressed with the results of this install and I just completed the full install of the TRD yellow/blues on all four corners as well. Great ride from a great truck !

Thanks for the messages !

Jerry ; )

tremo · #68 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 10:19 PM

Cool! Ain't it great when your improvements really pay off?!

Hey, since you added the new shocks on all four corners, you should head back to Wheeler's for their front end anti-sway kit: http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/tundraswaykit.htm

This really helped with cornering for me. Details here:

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photo...cat=500&page=2

Seee-ya and have fun!

Jim.

SATundra · #69 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tremo
Thanks for the follow-up Jerry!

Q: Did you understand this comment "The bar still moves freely in the bushings..." Moves freely? How does that happen once it's all tightened down?

Seee-ya,

Jim.

Yes Jerry thanks for following up on that.

Q: A: When the suspension (axle) moves up and down (going over bumps, turning, etc...) the sway bar pivots because the endlinks are mounted to the frame which is what is trying to keep everything level, straight or flat. This is the action that makes the swaybar work. I would imagine that there is a tremendous amount of pressure applied to those bushings when this pivoting occurs and the further out you mount the U bolts the more pressure that will be applied to try and keep everything level.

Hope that makes since.

hsvhobbit · #70 (**permalink**) 09-04-2003, 09:01 AM

Just got done installing mine last night. I've got an 03 so don't know if it's set up differently. I was able to put the rt side U-bolt to the INSIDE of the brake line attach point but not the Left side. The left side axle housing had a couple of welded on brackets that would have interferred with the saddle bracket so the U-bolt had to go outside the brake attach point. It still looks centered on the axle and the bushings look pretty close to even so I think I'm still OK.

Did have a couple of tips/hints. On the left side frame, the upper bracket bolt is just too cramped to get my hand up to hold it in place. I used a wire to fish it up to the bolt hole. Also, I found it much easier to put the bar links on the frame bracket with the bracket OFF the frame and then reattach it to the frame...just too tight getting the link bolt down through the bracket. I too had to trim off maybe 1/4" from the link tube to get enough length to thread the nut on.

Juries still out as to how good this mod is for me. I'll get a better chance to judge it this evening.

BaxxSC · #71 (**permalink**) 09-05-2003, 11:26 PM

Thanks for the tips... just installed mine, but one quick question. Took it out, and when I turn, I can hear a distinct 'click-click'. I lubed the D-bushings good, and I can imagine the different areas that might be causing it, but is this normal? Or is something possibly not installed correctly? (followed included instructions and multiple tips from the site).
Thanks in advance...
Brian

SATundra · #72 (**permalink**) 09-06-2003, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BaxxSC
Thanks for the tips... just installed mine, but one quick question. Took it out, and when I turn, I can hear a distinct 'click-click'. I lubed the D-bushings good, and I can imagine the different areas that might be causing it, but is this normal? Or is something possibly not installed correctly? (followed included instructions and multiple tips from the site).
Thanks in advance...
Brian

The "click-click" doesnt sound right to me. Mine is silent. Its coming from the rearend right?

Just a guess - but did you recheck your nuts/bolts on the endlinks? Theres alot of stuff there, maybe you left something loose. Also you might try getting back under there and see if you can see anywhere where metal to metal might be rubbing, perhaps where your U-bolts mount close to the brake line mount on the axle housing. Remember the swaybar moves a little bit when its put under pressure, from the D-bushings compressing.

BTW I also added a good grease inbetween all the bushings/washers in the endlink assembly.

Let us know if you find whats causing it.

BaxxSC · #73 (**permalink**) 09-06-2003, 08:14 PM

found it... the end link bracket on the driver side was not tightened all the way. It gave me trouble tightening it in the first place (due to welded bolt plate location) and it seemed find when finished at 12:30 am

... tightened up more and everything is fine and rides great!
B

fred405 · #74 (**permalink**) 09-10-2003, 06:21 PM

Has anyone had a problem with the end link brackets loosening? The "J" bolt scares me a little. I have considered drilling a hole in the frame where the bracket already has one and adding an additional bolt. Other than that a great handling mod with the Addco end links.

SATundra · #75 (**permalink**) 09-10-2003, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fred405

Has anyone had a problem with the end link brackets loosening? The "J" bolt scares me a little. Other than that a great handling mod with the Addco end links.

I cant remember anyone having any problems with the swaybar once they got it installed. Its the "best mod" you can do to the truck IMHO.