Hellwig Front Bushing Replacement

[KFordEx8]

It didn't take long for a clunking noise to start after the front OEM bar was replaced with the Hellwig unit. Got worse as time went by.

Ordered Prothane part no. 191505 from suspension.com and replaced them today. Didn't hear any clunking with a short test drive.

The Prothane bushings are slightly larger; included metal brackets are thinner. They are also a better fit because the bracket holes are smaller.

 

[maxxplatinum9137]

It didn't take long for a clunking noise to start after the front OEM bar was replaced with the Hellwig unit. Got worse as time went by.

Ordered Prothane part no. 191505 from suspension.com and replaced them today. Didn't hear any clunking with a short test drive.

The Prothane bushings are slightly larger; included metal brackets are thinner. They are also a better fit because the bracket holes are smaller.

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Why did you get a hellwig to begin with? What are advantages over OEM?

 

[DWs-TTEB]

Why did you get a hellwig to begin with? What are advantages over OEM?

well documented in these threads:

Hellwig Sway Bars - Front and Rear - Performance Review

Removed the front & rear stock sway bars yesterday and installed a set of Hellwig’s aftermarket sway bars. This easy install sway bar modification significantly improved the handling of our Expedition EL Limited. Before this modification I truly hated driving our Expedition because it cornered...

www.expeditionforum.com

Rear Sway bar?

Has anyone installed an aftermarket rear sway bar on their 4th gen? I can't stand how much mine sways from side to side on rough country back roads. My wife nicknamed my car the "bobblehead" because it literally makes you feel like a bobblehead swaying back and forth in it on the country...

www.expeditionforum.com

 

[BMW2FORD]

The thicker tighter sway bar bushing and bracket will be better to help the cause of better handling but for sure noise can be a problem. This is a generic picture but you might have to find bushings with a grease fitting or what I’ve done on a lot of cars is drill a hole with them removed, tap it and add one.

Energy Suspension 9.5165R 1-1/4" Greasable Sway Bar Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CN7C1...t_i_010GQZQN879J2R9GGVV5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[KFordEx8]

The thicker tighter sway bar bushing and bracket will be better to help the cause of better handling but for sure noise can be a problem. This is a generic picture but you might have to find bushings with a grease fitting or what I’ve done on a lot of cars is drill a hole with them removed, tap it and add one.

Energy Suspension 9.5165R 1-1/4" Greasable Sway Bar Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CN7C1...t_i_010GQZQN879J2R9GGVV5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I wasn’t able to find a 1.5” with a grease fitting. When it starts squeaking and I can’t stand it, I’ll mod it with a fitting.

 

[wakeboarder]

It didn't take long for a clunking noise to start after the front OEM bar was replaced with the Hellwig unit. Got worse as time went by.

Ordered Prothane part no. 191505 from suspension.com and replaced them today. Didn't hear any clunking with a short test drive.

The Prothane bushings are slightly larger; included metal brackets are thinner. They are also a better fit because the bracket holes are smaller.

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Is the rubber split or do you have to completely remove the bar to install them?

 

[KFordEx8]

The bushings are split so just have to pull each open to slip around the bar. I used a heat gun on low to warm them up so they would spread easier. Another way is to make them more flexible is to warm them in hot water.

Went for a longer drive and noticed an improvement over the Hellwig units. I think the Hellwig bushings are softer. That along with the play that developed that caused the clunking made the front end more sloppy.

 

[TheDoug]

It didn't take long for a clunking noise to start after the front OEM bar was replaced with the Hellwig unit. Got worse as time went by.

Ordered Prothane part no. 191505 from suspension.com and replaced them today. Didn't hear any clunking with a short test drive.

The Prothane bushings are slightly larger; included metal brackets are thinner. They are also a better fit because the bracket holes are smaller.

Was the clunking noise you are describing occuring when you turned or when there was a bump im road while going straight? Thanks, i got some noise from mine and wonder if this will fix issue.

 

[5280tunage]

Was the clunking noise you are describing occuring when you turned or when there was a bump im road while going straight? Thanks, i got some noise from mine and wonder if this will fix issue.

Same, I have a small clunk when turning. Sounds more like steering vs. sway.

 

[TheDoug]

Same, I have a small clunk when turning. Sounds more like steering vs. sway.

I think mine may be related to skid plate not 100 percent lined up and tightened down then. When it gets back from dealer i will have to investigation further

Thanks for info