Topic Sponsor
2015 - 2020 Ford F150 General discussion on the 13th generation Ford F150 truck.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Worksport

Hellwig rear sway bar review.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 5, 2020 | 10:17 PM
  #1  
jason370's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 303
Likes: 36
From: Hudson Valley, NY
Default Hellwig rear sway bar review.

Just installed a hellwig rear sway bar and I thought I'd share my thoughts. I live in a hilly area with curvy mountain roads, and I've been getting a lot of body roll (I drive pretty hard, sorta like I'm driving a sports car). Fyi, I already have billstein 5100s front and rear, with a 2" lift, and I added a 2" block in the rear to keep the rake.

The good:
Amazing results, immediately. The truck is MUCH more planted in the turns, even at speed. It's a very noticeable difference, basically unmissable. You are crazy if you don't buy and install this tomorrow.

The bad:
The ubolts that came with it were poorly threaded, and on one I couldn't get the nut to turn, despite using 90 fp of torque (it calls for 50-60). The other I was able to turn the but, but with great difficulty again, over-torqing the entire way. They felt cheaply made, but everything else was great quality.

More good:
I called Kevin at hellwig, and he was a great guy, very apologetic, and offered to overnight me the ubolts. I called a local spring shop and asked them to bend the ubolt for me by the same specs, and an hour later I had two great quality ubolts, 15 bucks. Finished the install and the rest is history.

The installation is easy, really easy. Run don't walk. I'll post some pics tomorrow



Reply
Old Sep 5, 2020 | 10:31 PM
  #2  
20STX's Avatar
Junior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 24
Likes: 41
Default

Originally Posted by jason370
Just installed a hellwig rear sway bar and I thought I'd share my thoughts. I live in a hilly area with curvy mountain roads, and I've been getting a lot of body roll (I drive pretty hard, sorta like I'm driving a sports car). Fyi, I already have billstein 5100s front and rear, with a 2" lift, and I added a 2" block in the rear to keep the rake.

The good:
Amazing results, immediately. The truck is MUCH more planted in the turns, even at speed. It's a very noticeable difference, basically unmissable. You are crazy if you don't buy and install this tomorrow.

The bad:
The ubolts that came with it were poorly threaded, and on one I couldn't get the nut to turn, despite using 90 fp of torque (it calls for 50-60). The other I was able to turn the but, but with great difficulty again, over-torqing the entire way. They felt cheaply made, but everything else was great quality.

More good:
I called Kevin at hellwig, and he was a great guy, very apologetic, and offered to overnight me the ubolts. I called a local spring shop and asked them to bend the ubolt for me by the same specs, and an hour later I had two great quality ubolts, 15 bucks. Finished the install and the rest is history.

The installation is easy, really easy. Run don't walk. I'll post some pics tomorrow




I’ve had my front and rear hellwig bars for almost 2 months and love them. I’m on a 3.5/5.5 Belltech drop on 24’s with rear fox shocks. On the rear bar, I ran it for the first month on the furthest hole. The second month running it, I moved it to the middle setting which I prefer. I’m going to move it tomorrow to the rear hole and see how it drives.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2020 | 12:29 AM
  #3  
Firedaniel's Avatar
5 Year Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 304
Likes: 66
Default

Ive has mine for years. Love it!
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2020 | 12:36 AM
  #4  
adamjt's Avatar
5 Year Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 198
Likes: 46
Default

Agreed. Made a huge difference. I have it on the furthest hole and didn't try the others yet.

What did everyone do with the wires that you use to insert the nuts? Did you clip them off and push the rest into the frame?

One negative is I don't like how low it hangs. I heard there was some kit to make it sit a little higher. If anyone knows what that is, please let me know.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2020 | 12:36 AM
  #5  
jason370's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 303
Likes: 36
From: Hudson Valley, NY
Default

Originally Posted by 20STX
I’ve had my front and rear hellwig bars for almost 2 months and love them. I’m on a 3.5/5.5 Belltech drop on 24’s with rear fox shocks. On the rear bar, I ran it for the first month on the furthest hole. The second month running it, I moved it to the middle setting which I prefer. I’m going to move it tomorrow to the rear hole and see how it drives.
question for you: the instructions day to have everything lined up at 90 degrees, but that seems inconsistent with mounting both the first hole, and then the last one, or even the middle for that matter. I couldn't actually get 90 degrees, even using the last hole, I'm probably around 80 degrees. How important is (or isn't) this?
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2020 | 07:05 AM
  #6  
Husker's Avatar
Just The Basic Facts
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,831
Likes: 1,027
From: Nebraska
Default

Originally Posted by adamjt
One negative is I don't like how low it hangs. I heard there was some kit to make it sit a little higher. If anyone knows what that is, please let me know.
I repositioned mine, after talking to Helwig about performance, the same results. Been on my 17 since the spring of 2017.

I painted all the exposed shiny metal parts that are visible from behind because it draws yer eyes to them.


Reply
Old Sep 6, 2020 | 03:16 PM
  #7  
Toolferone's Avatar
Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 236
Likes: 186
From: Raleigh, NC
Default

I had one on my 03 Tundra. I loved it. I really want one, but it is out of my budget. If I could find it for $300, I would do it.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2020 | 06:45 PM
  #8  
Nivled's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default

Does the Hellwig make the F150 ride closer to an F250? Or do I retain my F150 ride with just reduced sway?
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2020 | 08:14 PM
  #9  
20STX's Avatar
Junior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 24
Likes: 41
Default

Originally Posted by jason370
question for you: the instructions day to have everything lined up at 90 degrees, but that seems inconsistent with mounting both the first hole, and then the last one, or even the middle for that matter. I couldn't actually get 90 degrees, even using the last hole, I'm probably around 80 degrees. How important is (or isn't) this?
I get some pics tomorrow and post it so you could see mine. I don’t remember them being a perfect 90*
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2020 | 08:51 AM
  #10  
Georgia Terrapin's Avatar
Senior Member
Supporting Member

5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 467
Likes: 272
From: North Georgia
Default Do they help with rear-end skip?

I understand the handling in corners, but do the rear sway bars help reduce the way the rear end hops left or right upon hitting a bump?
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:34 PM.