Installed my Hellwig today :)

dibble9012 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 07:34 PM

It took me a few hours, mainly because I was interrupted a few times. Anyways, haven't taken it for a test drive yet because my dad has to move his motorcycle for me to get out of the garage. Install was really easy.

What a productive day, finished my muth signal mirrors and installed the Hellwig

dibble9012 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 08:55 PM

just got back from test driving the Tundra, all I can say is WOW. It's a night and day difference turning with the sway bar, it, ummm, doesn't sway anymore

nsaladino · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 09:25 PM

does it make the suspension feel stiffer? or does it just help the sway when turning?

dibble9012 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 09:38 PM

I didn't notice a huge difference in normal driving, but so far I have not driven on any bumpy roads. I'm still amazed at how well the truck turns now, no wonder this is one of the most popular mods!

EDIT: is it normal to have a couple leftover nuts? I have 2 of the smaller nuts that would fit the "j" hooks, but the directions do not say to double up on the nuts in that location

EDIT 2: Nevermind, they are used as jam nuts on the J hooks

Puffnstuff · #5 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 10:44 AM

What was the kit quality like? Did you have to modify anything to make it fit right? Reason I ask is I had a hellwig kit before on my silverado and I had to do a lot of stuff to make it fit right. I even had to drill out several bolt holes because they were not completely circular. I complained to hellwig but they did nothing. To top things off I even had to buy new bolts, nuts and washers because several in the kit were unusable. I'm waiting for hotchkis to come out with a kit for our trucks.

dibble9012 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 10:50 AM

I didn't have any problems at all, only thing I can think of is to make the end link bolts a little longer, its kinda hard to get the last nut on there while holding everything together. I did have 2 nuts missing, but that could just be my own fault, I will get some later this week, they are just the jam nuts so everything is put together. I just have to check the nuts every now and then.

I have heard several complaints about the finish, I think the finish is fine, it's a silver/black vein powdercoat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffnstuff

What was the kit quality like? Did you have to modify anything to make it fit right? Reason I ask is I had a hellwig kit before on my silverado and I had to do a lot of stuff to make it fit right. I even had to drill out several bolt holes because they were not completely circular. I complained to hellwig but they did nothing. To top things off I even had to buy new bolts, nuts and washers because several in the kit were unusable. I'm waiting for hotchkis to come out with a kit for our trucks.

Kevo · #7 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 11:54 AM

Where did you order it from? Any pics?

dibble9012 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 12:07 PM

ordered it from summit racing

I can get pics after work today (class was cancelled today

)

EDIT: I searched on the forum for "hellwig" and found that many people were having problems with the finish, more so than I had previously thought. The finish on my sway bar is PERFECT, like I said before it's a pitted silver/black powdercoat.

smf · #9 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 01:34 PM

I agree the Helwig Sway bar makes a huge difference. I took me about an hour or so to install. I did have to modify one of the bolt sleeves since it was about a 1/4 of an inch longer than the other and I could not get the bolt on. As for fit...how close does your sway bar sit from the pass. shock mount? Mine was less than 1/8 of an inch and it sometimes rubbed. I talk to the guys at Hellwig an they told me on some tundras there is a clearance issue. If you do have this probelm send them an email and they will send you spacer brackets for free.

cupidstoy · #10 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 01:35 PM

my install went well with no problems. fit and finish ok, nothing remarkable either way. no noticeable effect on ride quality except in turns.

dibble9012 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 01:42 PM

Yea, the bar is really close to the passenger side shock mount, I will keep an eye on everything for a while just to make sure the bolts are all tight and nothing is rubbing.

I just sent them an email regarding the missing nuts for the u-bolts, I had enough to install the bar, but not enough to double up on the u-bolts. Might just head out to autozone tonight and get the nuts anyways, I'm impatient, lol. I also need to buy some grease for the fittings.

You can probably see that it is a little off center, I'll have to go back and look at it tonight

Quote:

Originally Posted by smf

I agree the Helwig Sway bar makes a huge difference. I took me about an hour or so to install. I did have to modify one of the bolt sleeves since it was about a 1/4 of an inch longer than the other and I could not get the bolt on. As for fit...how close does your sway bar sit from the pass. shock mount? Mine was less than 1/8 of an inch and it sometimes rubbed. I talk to the guys at Hellwig an they told me on some tundras there is a clearance issue. If you do have this probelm send them an email and they will send you spacer brackets for free.

dibble9012 · #12 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 04:14 PM

Here are some pictures of it centered better. To get it centered I had to "tilt" the drivers side u-bolt/bracket. Also on the drivers side the end link is a little tilted too, not too much, do you think this could be a problem, how could I fix it if it is?

Centered

Distance between shock mount and sway bar on passengers side

This is how I had to center it, the u-bolt/bracket are tilted a little towards the back

This is the paint finish

dibble9012 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 04:18 PM

Here's a picture of the drivers side end link bracket, it is not as bad now after I fixed it, but it does tilt a little still, is it ok to tilt a little?

bmann7 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 06:52 PM

Nice bar - what did you pay?

Also LOVE the mirrors - can my 04 DC get those Hmmm? how much for them??

You are going to cost me some $ I think!

smf · #15 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 07:00 PM

I just took a look at mine and the drivers side u bolt is slightly tilted as well. The space that you have on the pass side shock mount is about the same space I have with the spacers installed. The finish on yours is also different than mine. I have a black coated bar. I wonder if there is a difference in size as well

. When I talked to Hellwig they assured me I have the right part number. Oh well, it's all good now. As for the end link, I have a slight tilt also. I would keep an eye on the rubber bushings to make sure they don't start to mushroom from too much pressure. BTW, I like the mirror turn signals

What did they run you if you don't mind me asking?