Going_Going_Gone
Full Access Members
Thanks
Hellwig Front Bushing Replacement
- Thread starter KFordEx8
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
image98
Active Member
Experienced a similar situation after 6 months of driving my 2019 4x4 Limited Stealth with both the front and rear Hellwig sway bars installed. Replaced the front bushings with Energy Suspension Polyurethane 1-7/16 #9.5175G. Has serviceable grease fittings. No more clunk after first test drive.
Last edited:
KFordEx8
Full Access Members
The bracket appears to be a better fit than the Prothane model that I got.
I think this is that largest Energy Suspension greaseable model that is made.
image98
Active Member
I wouldn't call it mushy cornering, but I definitely noticed a bobble type ride where the car would bounce with a few rebounds if one side of the car went over something like a pot hole. The effect seemed to be amplified at highway speeds. My 2019 4x4 stealth has the 22" rims and low profile tires, so the ride wasn't soft, but I had passengers comment on the bobble ride quality so I knew it just wasn't me. Once I swapped the front stock sway bar (which is hollow) with the Hellwig, the bobble effect was eliminated and cornering improved. Hellwig is reputable, so I was a bit surprised and disappointed by the quality (or lack of thereof) when it came to their bushings and brackets. I replaced the OEM end-links with MOOG units (which are also have grease fittings). Adding the rear sway bar improved cornering even more. It also improves ride quality when towing in my opinion. It seems there are a lot of different feedback regarding the ride quality, but also probably depends on how each Expedition is equipped.
Last edited:
Yep. It was the bobble head back forth crap that I couldn’t stand. Mine is a short length 4X4 platinum.
If you went over a bump on one side, you could see everyone’s head bob back and forth…… and back and forth… and back and forth…. Uggh.
I hated iT. And was close to just selling it, until I heard others recommending stiffer sway bars.
I also, have the Hellwig bars and Moog end links. Front and back.
I’ve had techs at the Ford Stealership tell me how much better it felt when they test-drove it. And with 18” wheels and tires with real side wall, it feels taut and controllable, but the sidewalls still absorb the small bumps. Basically the way Ford should have sold it to begin with … but you know… 22” bling and all.
If you went over a bump on one side, you could see everyone’s head bob back and forth…… and back and forth… and back and forth…. Uggh.
I hated iT. And was close to just selling it, until I heard others recommending stiffer sway bars.
I also, have the Hellwig bars and Moog end links. Front and back.
I’ve had techs at the Ford Stealership tell me how much better it felt when they test-drove it. And with 18” wheels and tires with real side wall, it feels taut and controllable, but the sidewalls still absorb the small bumps. Basically the way Ford should have sold it to begin with … but you know… 22” bling and all.
Deadman
Full Access Members
Great bushing finds guys! Mine are squeaking and the fronts are banging. I ordered a set of the Energy Suspension bushings to hopefully help! I hate the noise, but I absolutely refused to take the Hellwig bars off, because I can't imaging driving that factory bobble-head sway boat ever again. My wife even said, I'll take that banging noise over driving the swaying titanic! lol
Again, thanks for the bushing info!
Again, thanks for the bushing info!
I did the opposite and put my factory bars back on. The squeaking was driving me crazy and I got tired of greasing the bushings every few months. I definitely miss the handling of the Hellwig bars, but at least the ride is quiet! I have the base suspension (not CCD) and the head-bobbing is there but not horrible. If the Energy Suspension bushings solve everyone's problems I might switch back to the Hellwigs. I hope some of you update this thread in a few months with good news!Great bushing finds guys! Mine are squeaking and the fronts are banging. I ordered a set of the Energy Suspension bushings to hopefully help! I hate the noise, but I absolutely refused to take the Hellwig bars off, because I can't imaging driving that factory bobble-head sway boat ever again. My wife even said, I'll take that banging noise over driving the swaying titanic! lol
Again, thanks for the bushing info!
wakeboarder
Full Access Members
I received replacement bushings from Hellwig last week for the front due to the clunking noise. The clunk is gone now. I did notice that the rubber on the new bushing seems stiffer than the original Hellwig bushing.
5280tunage
Full Access Members
I managed to put the Energy suspension units on today, and a couple things I noticed. Both of the zerks were cross-threaded. Managed to get them to work by pulling them out and cranking them back in. I also noticed that I think these bushings are probably 1/8 to 3/16 inches too small of inner diameter. At least for me, when put around the bar, the insertion gap in the slot was at least 1/8". This of course closed when I cranked them down a lot but I'm concerned that this much resistance may actually cause them to wear down faster than they should.
we'll see if they are any better, but hope so.
we'll see if they are any better, but hope so.
I agree. I just changed mine out with these as well and noticed the same thing on the size. It’s worth a shot as I had already went through 2 sets of the Hellwig ones in 1 year.
wakeboarder
Full Access Members
I think if the Hellwig bushings don’t work for me, I will try the OEM bushings since they are about the same ID as these greasable energy suspension bushings.
KFordEx8
Full Access Members
I slipped an OEM bushing on to see if it would fit before ordering the model I got and the gap was too wide.
Deadman
Full Access Members
Did you guys notice the energy suspensions brackets didn't fit the u bolt spacing? My bolts are wider than the sway bar bushing bracket is. I'm tempted to "spread" the bracket a tiny bit wider, but I'm hoping that won't make the bushing loose or anything.
5280tunage
Full Access Members
Mine was very close, I had to get the two studs in the bracket about a 1/4" to 1/2" and slowly crank the two sides down, a little each side back and forth.
Deadman
Full Access Members
I chewed the bolt holes wider on one bracket, but I'm beat lol. The kids gave me their "plague" and I'm back inside. lol
Going_Going_Gone
Full Access Members
How wide?
According to an earlier post by 5280tunage, the gap on the Energy Suspension bushings was wide too...
"I managed to put the Energy suspension units on today, and a couple things I noticed. Both of the zerks were cross-threaded. Managed to get them to work by pulling them out and cranking them back in. I also noticed that I think these bushings are probably 1/8 to 3/16 inches too small of inner diameter. At least for me, when put around the bar, the insertion gap in the slot was at least 1/8". This of course closed when I cranked them down a lot but I'm concerned that this much resistance may actually cause them to wear down faster than they should.
we'll see if they are any better, but hope so."
KFordEx8
Full Access Members
About 1/4”
Going_Going_Gone
Full Access Members
Thanks for the reply. Given the quality appearance of the OEM bushings and brackets, I might have wanted to try them on the Hellwig bar, but not with that much gap.
Similar threads
