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Handling ImprovementsTechnical discussions regarding sport suspensions, performance sway bars, shock absorbers, lowering kits and handling improvement systems.
This is a discussion thread titled "Hellwig sway bar", within the Handling Improvements forum, part of the Technical & Vehicle Assistance Forums category.
It took me a couple hours to get it in, I jacked my truck up a little just to get under it, I am not a small man. There is no instruction explaning which washers go where or anything like that. You kind of just have to guess but the bigger washers go everywhere except around the bushings and all the small washers go around them. I am a wood worker so I have long reach clamps so if you look at the frame and see where the side brackets go you will see a bigger hole next to it. I put a long reach clamp in there and it held the plate snug while I put the locking nuts on them. I noticed today that the brackets around the axle have slipped a little so I am going to retorque them as per the instructions after driving with them for a day or two. It is amazing the improvement in handling, now all I need are performance tires to go along with the improved traction and handling.
Interesting. I started my yesterday and finished it up today. It probably took me 2 1/2 hours because the directions were lacking, but the ones posted here helped a lot. I say interesting, because I used the large washers with the bushings so the bushing neck would fit through the larger hole. Also, the only nuts that seemed to fit the J hook were a courser thread than on the J hooks, so they got a little rethreaded during installation.
I used a jack and extra washers to compress things enough to get the end links done.
I only had two locking nuts and I put them on the long screw for the end links. However, the instructions mentioned locking nuts earlier, but I went by the instructions posted here, which placed them on the long bolt.
But the handling is indeed snappy!
Quote:
Originally Posted by RBeau1954
It took me a couple hours to get it in, I jacked my truck up a little just to get under it, I am not a small man. There is no instruction explaning which washers go where or anything like that. You kind of just have to guess but the bigger washers go everywhere except around the bushings and all the small washers go around them. I am a wood worker so I have long reach clamps so if you look at the frame and see where the side brackets go you will see a bigger hole next to it. I put a long reach clamp in there and it held the plate snug while I put the locking nuts on them. I noticed today that the brackets around the axle have slipped a little so I am going to retorque them as per the instructions after driving with them for a day or two. It is amazing the improvement in handling, now all I need are performance tires to go along with the improved traction and handling.
Rick
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2003 Tundra Access Cab SR5 V8 4X4
RAPS, C.R. Lawrence Slider Rear Window from Yipes!, Hellwig Rear Anti-sway Bar, ASA TRS alloys, 265/70-16 Firestone Destination AT tires, debadged doors, ARE MX series cap, WeatherTech front floor mats, Scanguage II gauge & code scanner
Interesting that I also put the large washers on the bushings for that same reason, the lip on there fit the washer just right. After I did it I call Hellwig and talked to technical and they said that was not right. I was not going to change it so I left it that way. Only the small washers go with the bushings. I am not going to get under there and change it. I have been thinking about the bilstein shocks too but not sure about the lsd.
I installed my hellwig about 3 weeks ago and love it. So what do the Bilstein shocks do as far as improving the ride? Do these shocks make the ride stiffer? Is there a noticeable improvement?
thanks
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2005 Tundra Double-Cab Limited White Fully Loaded except Moon Roof & Navi, Just purchased August 2005. Mods: Leer Tonneau, Bed Rug. WishList: Lower, Wheels, Exhaust, Navigation, Moonroof.
I like the HD Bilsteins because they do a great job of keeping the tires in contact with the road without beating you to death.
They make the Hellwig that much better and they firm up the ride but it is not stiff.
The warranty on the Bilsteins is awesome - I put about 100K on a set installed on my T100 before the fronts became a little soft.
They were replaced @ no charge.
Think of it this way...
Spinning tires = Reduced traction.
Reduced traction = Degraded handling.
The combination of Bilsteins and the Hellwig keep the tires on the pavement and virtually eliminates body roll and sway.
The LSD puts equalized power to the wheels and reduces tire spin.
Properly set up - these trucks hook-up and handle surprisingly well.
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I installed my hellwig about 3 weeks ago and love it. So what do the Bilstein shocks do as far as improving the ride? Do these shocks make the ride stiffer? Is there a noticeable improvement?
thanks
I second what H2O MAN says about the Billies and Hellwig set up. I have the factory LSD as well as the TRD 4x4 red/blues(Same as the HD's...) in back.
Had to get a UniChip just to break the tires loose....
Handles even better lowered 2" in the back w/the shackle drop....
Since you have a new truck, you might wait a few miles before swapping out shocks. If you have the plain OEM Tockicos(Sp?), they'll be ready to go after 30-40K miles..... The Billies will be firmer over bumps (Your give..) but the handling improvement(Your take..) makes up for it.
Thanks for the info. This site is making me anxious to mod my truck. I'll wait for the new shocks but will get the billies when I have the reason for the upgrade.
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2005 Tundra Double-Cab Limited White Fully Loaded except Moon Roof & Navi, Just purchased August 2005. Mods: Leer Tonneau, Bed Rug. WishList: Lower, Wheels, Exhaust, Navigation, Moonroof.
The Hellwig rear sway bar I ordered Monday around 4:30 PM arrived yesterday Wed. about the same time as ordered. PDQ if you ask me. Opened the large flat box and found the paint applied to the bar to be a nice gloss black and very uniform in thickness. The bar although looks almost sand cast, rough and checkered. I'm pretty sure that even powder coating won't fill in the depth of the deep castings. I didn't order it to win any beauty contests, just to help the body roll in the rear, especially with a couple of dirt bikes in the back. Will install this Sat. morning then test drive. Have heard a lot of good comments on the benefits of the upgrade. Cheers, Slo
As we went through this group buy, I ended up talking to Nancy probably 6-8 times. I did mention all of the feedback concerning the finish as an FYI. I figured that the only way something like that would change is if they knew of the complaints. And since they normally don't deal directly with the public, feedback may be minimal. Anyway, she mentioned that the reason for the lumpy finish is due to their heat treating finish on the bars. This is what causes the dimples. The bars are powder coated, but since the powder is applied evenly it isn't enough to fill in all of the blemishes. So for what it's worth, that is the official word from Hellwig. Considering where the part is mounted, I'm not too worried!
I have one question regarding the install. The instructions mention applying some grease to the D bushings to prevent squeaks. I didn't have anything at the house to use so I ignored it. Have any of you noticed any squeaks over time coming from the bar? My install ended up spanning two days in order to pick up two nuts that were left out of the bag and as I backed into my garage I definitely had a few loud squeaks. I didn't hear anything during my test drive after the install was complete. My driver's side leaf spring is incredibily noisy and I need to deal with that but I didn't know whether to expect something from the sway bar bushings too. Any feedback? Thanks.
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Sorry for jumping in. I did my install 2 weeks ago and as advertised there were 2 tough spots. The first was there wasn't enough threads showing on the long screw to get the nut started. I ended up grinding off 1/8" or so of the long spacer. I really don't see what that could hurt. The other is keeping the plate with the stud on it from spinning on the driver's side when using the deformed thread locknut. It would be easy if you substituted a regular nut and lockwasher there. I was determined to do it with the locknut so the whole job took me almost 2 hours. There's no need to lift the truck but you ought to put some boxes under the vehicle to support the bar while you're positioning it.
Let us know how the install goes for you.
Tom
I installed my red Hellwig bar over the weekend. I agree with the two tough spots. For the long spacer that goes on the long screw that holds the bushings and connects the sway bar ends, I also had to cut off a little less than 1/4 inch. Once that was completed, I was able to get that nylon lock nut to make contact with the thread.
I noticed that the powdercoating is a bit thick and the ends of the sway bar are not smooth; the area where those bushings sandwich was uneven. I bet if the finish was flat and smooth, I could have gotten the nut to catch the thread.
As for the "L" bracket. I substituted a twp regular nuts with two from the "U" bolt. It screwed in smoothly and I tightened it with 40lbs torque. I put those two lock nuts underneath on the "U" bolts and it took forever to eventually get them turned all the way manually.
I will go to the harware store and get two locking washers with teeth to connect the upper "L" bracket bolt. I didn't use Loctite or anything. Im afraid it could come loose some day. As for the "U" bolt, I am going to remove those two lock nuts because it would be a PITA to remove in the future for any off-roading adventures.
I did not have to lift the truck. I used two jack stands to hold the ends of the bar and I used a toolbox with a small box on top to hold the sway bar in place.
It took me way over 2 hours. I'd say 5hrs. Mostly because of messing around with that "L" bracket plate and lock nut and then finding out I needed to cut that long spacer. I had to dig in the garage for my air grinder and pull the compressor out of storage . I also have a one-car garage so I had to keep backing the truck in and out; no side space. When tightening the "U" bolts, I had to also park on a level surface so the bar and the brackets sit even with the level surface. Also, the directions were lacking so I referred back and forth to Hellwig sway bar trouble-shooting posts and photos in the gallery. I also washed the grease off my hands many times because I kept referring to my computer.
All in all it turned out great and the handling is much improved.
Hellwig install
Improved handling.
. I also have a one-car garage so I had to keep backing the truck in and out; no side space. When tightening the "U" bolts, I had to also park on a level surface so the bar and the brackets sit even with the level surface. Also, the directions were lacking so I referred back and forth to Hellwig sway bar trouble-shooting posts and photos in the gallery. I also washed the grease off my hands many times because I kept referring to my computer. 
Linear Mode
