Hellwig 7254 Rear Sway Bar

[mphair]

I finally got around to check out the sway bar in more detail. I removed one of the Helwig supplied brackets and noticed that there were signs that the bracket was sliding up and down when it shouldn't. I decided to re torque the bracket bolts to 65 ft/lbs.
This worked, no more clunk!


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[jcinca]

Well that's good news. I haven't had any issues, but I know where to look if I do. Thank you. I applied a lot of loctite to the bolts and perhaps that will help.

Safe travels,
Jcinca

[Living_The_Dream]

I just got back from 9500 miles traveling to alaska and home. Plenty of gravel and lumpy roads. Never a sound from my hellwig. I installed with the two washers on each side.

[jcinca]

Well you certainly gave it the test. It sounds like mphair noise was coming from the bolt up brackets and noted they showed some wear from movement. He increased the torque to the bolts and sounds like problem solved. This may be the fix for those folks who had the noise issues.

[David100]

Mphair previously posted: "I finally got around to check out the sway bar in more detail. I removed one of the Helwig supplied brackets and noticed that there were signs that the bracket was sliding up and down when it shouldn't. I decided to re torque the bracket bolts to 65 ft/lbs."

Did you use a 19mm hex or a different size? I want to retorque but want to get the correct size first.

[CaptDan]

After the Hellwig installation, I have driven over 15,000 miles without a hiccup. Have not had to re-torque or do any other maintenance. I am very please to say the least. Like Taylorsgo said" I couldn't believe the difference it made - maybe the best mod I've ever done in terms of cost vs. benefit. Highly recommended for those who haven't done this yet. "


Capt Dan

[Chris Weller]

Just wanted to add my more limited (at least mileage wise) experience compared to those of CaptDan and others. I also have had no noise or functional problems at all with the Hellwig anti-sway bar.

Installed over a year ago and after around 6,000 miles, the road handling benefits (especially under high wind conditions in southwest U.S.), have made it a more than worthwhile investment. My stress levels when when driving in inclement weather are much reduced.

[sonny]

Installed mine last spring for the trip back to KC from Florida. Made a huge difference in the handling and gave it a lot more stability. Prior to that it was all over the road in the wind or when passing a truck. I also put heavy duty shocks on it and new spacers in the front springs. Supposedly adds a 1000 pounds to the weight limit, Really gald I did it,

[richhop25]

sonny -- I've been thinking about some adds to the suspension for better weight control and handling in addition to the sway bar. Curious what you did specifically.

My thinking also includes the possibility of adding a couple inches to the clearance in the rear to help the jacks clear driveways and such. Did you gain any clearance?
Has anyone else added something to add clearance in the rear?

[jlewis3323]

Purchased the Helwig sway bar and added Koni FDS rear shocks and spacers on front. Huge improvement in handling greatly reducing side sway and rocking. Debated on buying the more expensive Koni shocks, but after driving on a trip worth every penny. Best option one can do with Solera 24R.

[Loefflerh]

Originally Posted by sonny

Supposedly adds a 1000 pounds to the weight limit,

That really got my attention. How does that legally work - are there any facts behind it? It just sounds too great.....

[Pixelbum1]

Have a 2011 Solera 25' with the 3500 Freightliner chassis and Mercedes diesel. Where would I look to find out if it even does have a swaybar attached (I am the second owner of this unit)? Would it be attached to the rear axle or front? Do they come stock with the unit when purchased? If so, how could I tell if it the upgrade (heavier as in the Hellwig variety) vs. a stock install? I would consider getting one, for sure, if I knew the aforementioned answers first. Help...and thnx. PB

[hkreck]

The sway bar is located behind the rear axle, I think there are some pictures posted in the forum under this topic as to what to look for. There has to be a sway bar of some type there.

[Still Kickin]

All your answers to the questions you pose are in the thread. Read it, it's quite informative on the upgraded sway bar.

[hkreck]

Check page 14 of this post there is a picture of the sway bar on that page.

[DaveJordan]

Originally Posted by mphair

I finally got around to check out the sway bar in more detail. I removed one of the Helwig supplied brackets and noticed that there were signs that the bracket was sliding up and down when it shouldn't. I decided to re torque the bracket bolts to 65 ft/lbs.
This worked, no more clunk!

Just installed the 7254 ... and I've got the clunks.

Installation was more difficult than I'd hoped, but I got the bar installed and everything torqued down. I added 10 ft-lbs to the recommended values (so 40 on the u-straps and 50 on the swing arms) but still have the clunk.

The u-straps are pretty light weight - not at all like the cast (?) pieces holding the original arm in place. And the holes in the straps are larger than the bolts going through them (which is good or I never would have gotten the bar on!) But I can see where the straps could move up and down a bit even with everything torqued.

As I read it, mphair indicates his fix was to torque the straps up to 65 ft-lbs. Is that still working? Has anyone else tried this? Or found other ways to solve the problem?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Thanks,

Dave

[David100]

I retorqued the bolts to 65 ftlbs and no pops or noise. I have driven over 6000 miles since retorquing without issues.

[bclemens]

I finally got to test drive the one we installed at the factory. It was a miserable snow/ice day so it was perfect.

I had (3) other guys in spots throughout the unit. It still swayed a bit, but once it came back to center it just stopped. The one without it would sway on a turn and then wobble back and forth slightly even after the turn was complete. Noticeable ride improvement. I did not have any clunks.

I must say, the Sprinter handled great in the snow. The dually wheels powered through and with the Mercedes traction control I never noticed us spinning out. (roads were ice covered and we had about 6 inches of fresh snow)

I will recommend that we install the Helwig bar as either and option or stock item. Still probably 6 weeks before we can get parts in quantity if it gets approved.

[bclemens]

PS. Someone will get a free sway bar.

it is a 2401S (Serial #FRF0031552) heading to Reines RV in Virginia.

[HomeOnWheels]

Brian, any chance to have it installed on my unit being built?