Rear Sway bar?

[wakeboarder]

Has anybody had just the upgraded front bar without doing the rear? I am mainly looking to improve the lean when cornering.

 

[Alwaysthinkin]

@Fasttimes is one person that has said they have done front only at this time.

I'm sure there are others but it seems most start with rear bar while waiting for backordered front bar.

 

[Deadman]

Has anybody had just the upgraded front bar without doing the rear? I am mainly looking to improve the lean when cornering.

You can try the front first, but honestly the rear suspension of these things is a complete joke and thats why I started with the rear sway bar to try and at least make it tolerable. It did!

I have a feeling if you tightened up the front, the rear might 'feel" even worse and handles like crap. Just a guess tho,

 

[NukeLife]

Well. I finally got my front sway bar installed, and….
Dayum!

I am pissed.

Pissed that I didn’t order this a year ago.
The Hellwig rear sway bar, Moog end links and ReadyLift were delivered a month ago, and I installed those right away. Since I did the rear sway bar and lift at the same time, the driving dynamics changed a good bit and I was unsure what was a result of the shock spacers, and what was a result of the stiffer rear sway bar and links.
I knew I had much better lateral stability and feel in the back, but also noticed more bumps translated through the CCD suspension.

So the next week I had Ford perform an alignment on all four corners since I had to bust loose pretty much every suspension bolt under it to get the ReadyLift in. While they had it, I had them run a program that allows the CCD system to “learn” it’s new ride height.

It drove MUCH better after this. It basically returned the CCD feel back to how it felt stock, but with far superior lean angles and rear end stability due to the new sway bar and links in the back.

Flash forward a few weeks when my front sway bar arrives in a mangled box.
Installed it a couple nights ago, and the change is INCREDIBLE.

CCD is still smooth and feels practically unchanged, only 2-3 inches higher than I used to be.
Every turn brings a smile to face. Almost zero lean. Just smooth immediate response. Crisp and agile, almost BMW-like.
It does not make your ride harsh.

Ford should be ashamed of themselves for the piece of crap I pulled off and threw away. The new Hellwig is twice as heavy and 50% larger in cross-section.

Unless you enjoy wobbling left-right for ten minutes after going over every diagonal or one-ended bump, you need to do replace your sway bars, ASAP!.

When I drop from my driveway onto the street at an angle, my truck rocks left-right one time and that’s it. Solid. No swaying back and forth 6 times.

I had grown so tired of the wallowing pig that I was considering starting over with something else.

Does it ride firmer? Yes. But not in a bad way. I think it actually is smoother now over large bumps and very poor roads, because the CCD is more capable of measuring and responding to each corner’s inputs since the ride and lean angles are so much more controlled. The CCD doesn’t have to work as hard, and subsequently can provide a more effective response to challenging roads.

The tiny bumps and pavement joints are felt more. There is no question. You will pretty much lose that “disconnected, floating on a cloud” feeling on all but the smoothest roads.
But the performance gains in every other aspect of driving is overwhelming. No more porpoising 4 times after a speed bump. No more wobbling left /right in uncontrolled manner. Remember how the lane correction could suddenly occur on the apex of a curve from the outside stripe? The sudden steering input would put a crazy outside lean on the car.. startling everyone in the car.. No more.

I am VERY interested to see how the ride is changed when I take off the factory 22’s and put on the 18’s with all terrain tires. (They are still on order)

Just go do this. You will not regret it. It was $688 for sway bar and end links. That is the best 700 bucks I have spent in a long time.

 

[Fozzy]

I had them run a program that allows the CCD system to “learn” it’s new ride height.

It drove MUCH better after this. It basically returned the CCD feel back to how it felt stock,

Can you post what the service code was to get the CCD’s reset? Or what they put on your invoice. I would like to try it. Ready Lifts CCD kit comes with drop brackets for the front, but does nothing for the rear. I did mine a year + before the kit came out and did the longer/shorter links. Zero change in my opinion. Ready Lift did send me the front brackets, but I haven’t installed them. I need the front sway bar, but I’ll probably have a 2022 before it shows up or my LGE-CTS bumper.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NukeLife]

I will look on the invoice, to see there is a code when I get out of work. I found out about it by reading the factory service manual. (1500 page PDF document)
The last step in every section that replaces suspension components reads:

“If equipped with dynamic suspension, calibrate the suspension height. Connect the scan tool and carry out the Ride Height Calibration routine. Follow the scan tool directions.”

 

[techdude99]

I will look on the invoice, to see there is a code when I get out of work. I found out about it by reading the factory service manual. (1500 page PDF document)
The last step in every section that replaces suspension components reads:

“If equipped with dynamic suspension, calibrate the suspension height. Connect the scan tool and carry out the Ride Height Calibration routine. Follow the scan tool directions.”

Good to know. I'll be investing in a FSM today.

 

[Fozzy]

I will look on the invoice, to see there is a code when I get out of work. I found out about it by reading the factory service manual. (1500 page PDF document)
The last step in every section that replaces suspension components reads:

“If equipped with dynamic suspension, calibrate the suspension height. Connect the scan tool and carry out the Ride Height Calibration routine. Follow the scan tool directions.”

Awesome, that’s probably all I need. Next time I’m in for service I will have them do it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Deadman]

Well. I finally got my front sway bar installed, and….
Dayum!

I am pissed.

Pissed that I didn’t order this a year ago.
The Hellwig rear sway bar, Moog end links and ReadyLift were delivered a month ago, and I installed those right away. Since I did the rear sway bar and lift at the same time, the driving dynamics changed a good bit and I was unsure what was a result of the shock spacers, and what was a result of the stiffer rear sway bar and links.
I knew I had much better lateral stability and feel in the back, but also noticed more bumps translated through the CCD suspension.

So the next week I had Ford perform an alignment on all four corners since I had to bust loose pretty much every suspension bolt under it to get the ReadyLift in. While they had it, I had them run a program that allows the CCD system to “learn” it’s new ride height.

It drove MUCH better after this. It basically returned the CCD feel back to how it felt stock, but with far superior lean angles and rear end stability due to the new sway bar and links in the back.

Flash forward a few weeks when my front sway bar arrives in a mangled box.
Installed it a couple nights ago, and the change is INCREDIBLE.

CCD is still smooth and feels practically unchanged, only 2-3 inches higher than I used to be.
Every turn brings a smile to face. Almost zero lean. Just smooth immediate response. Crisp and agile, almost BMW-like.
It does not make your ride harsh.

Ford should be ashamed of themselves for the piece of crap I pulled off and threw away. The new Hellwig is twice as heavy and 50% larger in cross-section.

Unless you enjoy wobbling left-right for ten minutes after going over every diagonal or one-ended bump, you need to do replace your sway bars, ASAP!.

When I drop from my driveway onto the street at an angle, my truck rocks left-right one time and that’s it. Solid. No swaying back and forth 6 times.

I had grown so tired of the wallowing pig that I was considering starting over with something else.

Does it ride firmer? Yes. But not in a bad way. I think it actually is smoother now over large bumps and very poor roads, because the CCD is more capable of measuring and responding to each corner’s inputs since the ride and lean angles are so much more controlled. The CCD doesn’t have to work as hard, and subsequently can provide a more effective response to challenging roads.

The tiny bumps and pavement joints are felt more. There is no question. You will pretty much lose that “disconnected, floating on a cloud” feeling on all but the smoothest roads.
But the performance gains in every other aspect of driving is overwhelming. No more porpoising 4 times after a speed bump. No more wobbling left /right in uncontrolled manner. Remember how the lane correction could suddenly occur on the apex of a curve from the outside stripe? The sudden steering input would put a crazy outside lean on the car.. startling everyone in the car.. No more.

I am VERY interested to see how the ride is changed when I take off the factory 22’s and put on the 18’s with all terrain tires. (They are still on order)

Just go do this. You will not regret it. It was $688 for sway bar and end links. That is the best 700 bucks I have spent in a long time.

After the sway bars, its hard to believe how absolutely disgusting these things drive stock. I was so mad at my sway boat that I had huge buyers remorse. Luckily I found these sway bars and it corrected 90% of this garbage.
It blows my mind following these expeditions down the highway and watching them wobble like a drunk that's trying to walk home after 2 cases of beer. I ordered 2 for my wifes Navigator, because that thing almost makes me Puke riding in it with its factory suspension, same BS, sway sway sway, lean, lean, lean, bobble head..... ARGHHHHH

I'm so glad you agree with me on this, because many people think they ride ok stock, but I hated the sloppiness.

 

[techdude99]

...I'm so glad you agree with me on this, because many people think they ride ok stock, but I hated the sloppiness.

It's definitely sloppy except in Sport mode with the CCD. Ford made a huge mistake removing user customization from each drive mode.

I drove a non-CCD and thought it handled better overall. That said, the swaybars fix most of the terrible Ford CCD software settings. I'm glad I found this thread.

 

[NukeLife]

Awesome, that’s probably all I need. Next time I’m in for service I will have them do it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I checked my invoice.
08REPDIAG1 : suspension/ axle/wheel diag
Added operation: calibrate ride height sensors per customer request.
*customer installed strut spacers.

it’s probably just a generic suspension diagnostic code with my instructions added to it.

 

[Laura Rusick]

Thanks for all the details! I've read the entire post now. Have the numbers for Hellwigs.

Two questions:
1) Has anyone installed the Moog sway bar? (saw the end link comments, but not sway bar) Local shop will install the Hellwigs, but normally does Moogs.
2) Having quite a bit of weight on my rear axle with 7700# trailer - actually over GAWR for rears, despite ProPride install. Definitely investigating tuning the ProPride, but suspect it's a bigger issue. Solution? Would the Bilstein shocks help, or more, the SumoSprings? Seems like the Sumos?

Thanks in advance!

2018 Limited 4x4, HD tow, Continental TerrainContacts

 

[Squark]

Thanks for all the details! I've read the entire post now. Have the numbers for Hellwigs.

Two questions:
1) Has anyone installed the Moog sway bar? (saw the end link comments, but not sway bar) Local shop will install the Hellwigs, but normally does Moogs.
2) Having quite a bit of weight on my rear axle with 7700# trailer - actually over GAWR for rears, despite ProPride install. Definitely investigating tuning the ProPride, but suspect it's a bigger issue. Solution? Would the Bilstein shocks help, or more, the SumoSprings? Seems like the Sumos?

Thanks in advance!

2018 Limited 4x4, HD tow, Continental TerrainContacts

I have a travel trailer that's around 7,500lbs with a ProPride. I'm 400lbs under the rear GAWR. Have taken the trailer to a scale? I weighed a couple of times to fine-tune the setup. I'm sitting just under 900lbs of tongue weight and the front axle weighs 60lbs less with the trailer attached (without weight distribution it loses over 400lbs). I have to go a full 8" on the weight distribution jacks, and might try pushing them a little more than that. You should be able to get yours tuned without being overweight.

That being said, I wouldn't suggest shocks or SumoSprings as a solution for being overweight. Fix the weight first, and get those if you want to improve the ride while towing. I've only done the sway bars on mine, but am considering shocks in the future. The ride can be a bit bouncy with that much tongue weight.

 

[5280tunage]

Thanks for all the details! I've read the entire post now. Have the numbers for Hellwigs.

Two questions:
1) Has anyone installed the Moog sway bar? (saw the end link comments, but not sway bar) Local shop will install the Hellwigs, but normally does Moogs.
2) Having quite a bit of weight on my rear axle with 7700# trailer - actually over GAWR for rears, despite ProPride install. Definitely investigating tuning the ProPride, but suspect it's a bigger issue. Solution? Would the Bilstein shocks help, or more, the SumoSprings? Seems like the Sumos?

Thanks in advance!

2018 Limited 4x4, HD tow, Continental TerrainContacts

Agreed that Sumo's don't really fix a weight issue per-say but I have them on, and for daily driving I think they help stiffen the rear a little.

 

[Keith Jacobs]

Is there any way to get a Hellwig in less than 8 weeks? The backorder is brutal.

 

[Alwaysthinkin]

Is there any way to get a Hellwig in less than 8 weeks? The backorder is brutal.

Can't say there isn't a way but many of us have had too wait for the 8 weeks (or more) for at least one of the two bars....

 

[Going_Going_Gone]

Can't say there isn't a way but many of us have had too wait for the 8 weeks (or more) for at least one of the two bars....

I started the process in early February. If only I was able to get mine in eight weeks. I'm now waiting for a second set I had to order in April when the originals (ordered from Summit) were allegedly "damaged" while out for delivery to my house. I still haven't figured out how FedEx was able to "damage" one or both solid steel bars.

 

[FlyBry]

Ordered rear bar June 3rd. Just received update email from Hellwig, estimated shipping date is Sept.4th

 

[wakeboarder]

I received the front bar within 4 business days of ordering it from Summit earlier this month. I only did the front bar. It definitely rides flatter through the corners now.

 

[hellohithere]

Just drove 300 miles on roads in pretty much every condition.

Smooth road surfaces and corners are night and day better.

Surfaces with small to moderate imperfections are more jarring. Comfort is proportional to the imperfection.

Really rough surfaces aren't ridiculously bouncy like before but they can be very jarring. The bar feels like it's mitigating a lot of the suspension travel, which is by design.

For those on the fence trying to decide if it's worth it, highway driving and good roads make this a no-brainer. Buy the rear bar and don't look back.

If you live in a state like mine with 3rd world roads, understand you'll be giving up comfort for more control.

I'll post back after adding more miles later this month. Hopefully the front bar will arrive in a week. If so, I'll add it to the discussion after my 600 mile trip.

@techdude99, do you like the ride quality now that you're a month in? Curious what your thoughts are.