turbobusa

I plan on installing the Bilstein rear shocks along with the rear sway bar this weekend. Since im doing shocks & rear bar, i will put bar on softest setting. I will do the front sway bar on Monday, however the front shocks which will be installed by a shop wont be done until the 20th. That's why i was curious about the alignment. 1 week of driving after the front sway bar install with no alignment had me nervous.

The only thing im trying to accomplish is to get rid of the bouncing (cycling) after a dip in the road and i want to get rid of the body roll. Im hoping the Bilstein's and sway bars will do it for me without giving me a rough ride.

Masi1926

No problem!
In my opinion, the best aftermarket part on my truck, is the rear Hellwig sway bar.
I go back and forth between softest and the middle setting, which it's been in for a while now. The dealer replaced my leaky rear shocks not even a year ago, so as they've been declining I move the the bar back one. So the middle is where I'm at now.

I do have a good prevention tip. The powdercoat on the brackets that attach to the axle, flaked off. If I had known I would've sprayed Fluid Film all over that bar. I do live in New England, so if your a southern guy it may not be an issue.
I love that bar regardless... and I will never drive a truck without one ever again. It made a huge difference in the handling and greatly extended the front tire wear.
The very few that I've read who take it off, I will never ever understand that logic. There's no wheel hop or "Too stiff." It hits a pothole solid and doesn't roll around corners. I don't drive it like I stole it to notice that it a positive addition in every way.

Next truck I'm coating the entire undercarriage with Fluid Film. I forgot how good that stuff is till I bought a Sea Doo and sprayed it on the engine after every use this summer. The engine looks as if it has zero hours on it.

yotehunter

I am one who took mine off. I do drive it like I stole it sometimes. It made mine feel very "nervous" at higher speeds and the rear axle would skip over some bumps at highway speeds.

turbobusa

I cant wait to get mines on. Did you install one on the front also?

Masi1926

I usually just change out the bushings on the frame mount and end link's to Polyethylene one's.
I wanted to get past the basic warranty (just so they can't finger point). Now 8 month's later I still haven't done it.
I wonder how much an aftermarket bar would be better than the factory one?
If there is a noticeable increase in handling, I would swap out the factory one to a Hellwig..

TX_hornedfrog

For those who have done the rear install - did it seem like there was a lot of wiggle/movement in the bar after the nuts were torqued to spec or is the entire setup stiff?

Masi1926

I have zero movement anywhere.. There shouldn't be anything loose when the end link's aren't attached to the bar and definitely not when they are.
Maybe you're missing a washer or two..?

Where is it loose or wiggling?

Husker

iTrader: (4)

No wiggle on mine.

TX_hornedfrog

Thanks! I was able to tighten it up.. the rubber bushings are taller than the u-bolt brackets and were leaving a gap between the bracket and axle saddle. A couple more turns of the wrench fixed it right up.

Had to make sure it was ready to go before I take it 680 miles to Nebraska.

Husker

iTrader: (4)

I have Family heading from Colorado to Here (Nebraska)...Safe Travels-->