Rear Sway bar?

[Deadman]

Bump...

Once I get my order of the front/rear Hellwig sways I'll post install pics and post-install ride thoughts. Tired of the shaky seat/bobble head thing!

If it wasn't for this sway bar, I ABSOLUTELY would of traded mine off when it was less than a year old. I just can't believe how many people deal with the bobble-head BS. My wife literally got sea sick in it and asked WTF was wrong with it when it was brand new. lol.

 

[Deadman]

I noticed Hellwig sells universal adjustable end links in three lengths that are supposed to fit the Expedition.

Are the links that come with the Hellwig swaybar fixed?

Looking at Deadman's comparison pics of both rear bars and his observation that they look very similar, would replacing the OEM end links with a shorter length provide similar handling characteristics?

Uses all the factory links.

 

[5280tunage]

So as was suggested to me, I should check with them on the "redesign" that happened sometime last year. I've now spoken to two engineers and am waiting for a return call from the lead engineer that actually designed the 7696 bar for the Expy. So far none of them are ware of a redesign but honestly, they took it seriously when I talked about knowing at least one person that had a snapped end link. I suppose they could be trying not to replace the bar, but truly I like them, they seem to care and want to talk about it. Let you know when I hear back from this guy.

 

[MHay]

Does anyone know the correct torque spec for the rear U plate nuts when installing the Hellwig sway bar?

 

[5280tunage]

Couldn't ever find it. I think I did 35 or 40 lb/ft. Just seems like a pretty good number but I also used some blue loctite as well just for posterity.

 

[MHay]

Couldn't ever find it. I think I did 35 or 40 lb/ft. Just seems like a pretty good number but I also used some blue loctite as well just for posterity.

Thanks - figure I’ll do about 40-45 to be safe. Good call on the Loctite!

 

[techdude99]

I'll see if I can find the factory spec.

Update: I could only find it on older Fords. For now, you're probably fine with 45 ft/lbs and Loctite. I'd check it after a few hundred miles.

 

[5280tunage]

I realize this isn't my rear sway bar, but it's my front end links. I did the Energy Suspension kit (part number 9.8121G) on the front. These things are nice and beefy and I like that they have polyurethane bushings top and bottom of each connection. Now technically I had to modify them a bit, the bolts are the right length but the bushings are so stiff, that I couldn't actually get the nut on the top (because there was no good way of compressing them enough), so I ended up cutting about 3/4" off of each of the metal spacers that go in the center. This actually lined up the bar a little better too (more parallel). If I had to do it again, I would have only cut 1/2" off, this means a decent amount of threads are exposed on top unfortunately once you crank it down. An alternative would have been to get longer bolts but I couldn't find 9" by 3//8"/16 grade 5 or 8 bolts anywhere near me.

Here's a before and after. So far I like it, took it for a drive, no knocks or noises yet, will recheck nut tightness in a couple days. Way stronger than the stock stuff.

 

[scottdm]

I realize this isn't my rear sway bar, but it's my front end links. I did the Energy Suspension kit (part number 9.8121G) on the front. These things are nice and beefy and I like that they have polyurethane bushings top and bottom of each connection. Now technically I had to modify them a bit, the bolts are the right length but the bushings are so stiff, that I couldn't actually get the nut on the top (because there was no good way of compressing them enough), so I ended up cutting about 3/4" off of each of the metal spacers that go in the center. This actually lined up the bar a little better too (more parallel). If I had to do it again, I would have only cut 1/2" off, this means a decent amount of threads are exposed on top unfortunately once you crank it down. An alternative would have been to get longer bolts but I couldn't find 9" by 3//8"/16 grade 5 or 8 bolts anywhere near me.

Here's a before and after. So far I like it, took it for a drive, no knocks or noises yet, will recheck nut tightness in a couple days. Way stronger than the stock stuff.

View attachment 39913
View attachment 39912

Maybe it's just the angle of the photo, but the new links look quite a bit longer than the stock links.

 

[5280tunage]

from tip to tip, they were identical, within about a 1/4". The bolt on these is roughly 8 3/4" long, the factory ones I pulled off are close to 9" long. I think it's also deceiving because of the continuous metal piece, vs the factory ones with the flexible bushings on them.

 

[Zig10]

from tip to tip, they were identical, within about a 1/4". The bolt on these is roughly 8 3/4" long, the factory ones I pulled off are close to 9" long. I think it's also deceiving because of the continuous metal piece, vs the factory ones with the flexible bushings on them.

Honestly, you'd probably get some handling improvements out of just the rigid end-links with the old bar. I ran the ES poly end links on multiple previous vehicles and each time it sharpened up the handling noticeably. I think the main reason manufacturers avoid them is because the bushings do wear over time and will squeak as they do.

 

[5280tunage]

And they may, the fact is, the whole setup from Energy Suspensions was about $25, and if the bushings do wear out, a whole new set is less than $10. I agree, Having driven it a couple times since putting them on, both make for a pretty nice ride.

 

[techdude99]

5280tunage - Would you know the Energy part # for the swaybar bushings?

I called Energy and they said our chassis is not supported but if I had some measurements they could point me in the right direction.

 

[Zig10]

5280tunage - Would you know the Energy part # for the swaybar bushings?

I called Energy and they said our chassis is not supported but if I had some measurements they could point me in the right direction.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CNB5JA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_21cdGbE9F5FMK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[5280tunage]

That's annoying, if you give them part number 9.8121 and just ask what size the bushings are inn that kit, with them on, I think they are the 1.25" diameter bushings but I can't tell if they are the 7/8 nipple or the 11/16 nipple.

 

[techdude99]

Zig10 - I appreciate the info but I was referring to the bushings that mount the bar to the chassis and look like these.



5280Tunage - I'll call and try again

Thank you both.

 

[5280tunage]

Oh, I was wrong too then. Sorry, I thought you meant the bushings for the end links.

Okay. I actually already called them about this. I haven't found anyone that makes bushings that fit the diameter of the the bar and the mounts. If you have the stillen bars you should be able to get replacement bushings from stillen, but I haven't found factory replacements other than OE.

 

[Gillbrak]

Sounds like another wave of bars. Ordered mine on Dec. 8. Rear shipped out today. No update on the front yet.


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[DWs-TTEB]

Hoping I’m next!

 

[bryz_expy]

Just got a UPS notice that My rear bar should be here before the weekend.

I postponed ordering a front bar until I see the improvement from the rear bar alone.