|
|
11-10-2016, 09:23 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Naples Fl
Posts: 407
|
Hellwig or not?
I am curious - how can I tell whether I have the Hellwig sway bar installed or not?
Its a Forester 2401 W built July 2017 - but it does not have the decal "Hellwig equipped"on the side like all the others. What do I look for to see the difference between stock and Hellwig?
Not complaining about the handling - it handles as good or bad (I think really good) as my 2013 Solera which did not have it.....
Thanks for any hint what to look for!
Hans
__________________
Retired military
Solera 24R Mar 2013 -Jun 2016
Forester 2401 Aug 2016 - Sep 2021
Entegra 27A Oct 2021 - ?
|
|
|
11-10-2016, 10:36 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 901
|
This post has a couple of pics:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post953092
The Hellwig bar is quite a bit thicker than the OEM bar and, as I recall, the mounting straps are quite different as well.
Dave
__________________
2015 Solera 24R
2014 Mercedes Chassis
|
|
|
11-10-2016, 12:00 PM
|
#3
|
2012 Solera
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,822
|
Hans - hard to judge sway bar diameter without something to compare to, but as Dave said the brackets are VERY different. If your brackets look like those in post #370 in the thread Dave referenced, you have the Helwig bar.
__________________
JLeising
2012 Solera "S"
Calif SF Bay Area
|
|
|
11-14-2016, 02:10 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Naples Fl
Posts: 407
|
Finally was able to crawl underneath - I guess that is a Hellwig. Any experts can confirm please?
__________________
Retired military
Solera 24R Mar 2013 -Jun 2016
Forester 2401 Aug 2016 - Sep 2021
Entegra 27A Oct 2021 - ?
|
|
|
11-14-2016, 02:13 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Naples Fl
Posts: 407
|
And Joshua - if that is indeed a Hellwig swaybar, is there a way to get that decal "Hellwig Equipped"- I do not have it on my coach which was built July 2016....
__________________
Retired military
Solera 24R Mar 2013 -Jun 2016
Forester 2401 Aug 2016 - Sep 2021
Entegra 27A Oct 2021 - ?
|
|
|
11-14-2016, 02:32 PM
|
#6
|
2012 Solera
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,822
|
Hans - I do not believe that is a Hellwig bar. The clamps look like the Mercedes clamps. The Hellwig clamps look like the ones in the post referenced above, and use special Allen Wrench bolts (not the six sided bolts in your pictures).
__________________
JLeising
2012 Solera "S"
Calif SF Bay Area
|
|
|
11-14-2016, 02:59 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Naples Fl
Posts: 407
|
Thanks Jleising - that is strange, I thought all MBS come now standard equipped with the Hellwig swaybar....no wonder that I did not feel any difference between my Solera and the Forester! And no decal.....
I hope a factory representative will chime in ......
__________________
Retired military
Solera 24R Mar 2013 -Jun 2016
Forester 2401 Aug 2016 - Sep 2021
Entegra 27A Oct 2021 - ?
|
|
|
11-14-2016, 04:12 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Washington State
Posts: 310
|
Quote:
that is strange, I thought all MBS come now standard equipped with the Hellwig swaybar....no wonder that I did not feel any difference between my Solera and the Forester! And no decal.....
I hope a factory representative will chime in ......
|
When I bought 2016 FR MBS 2401R. Sell person said Mercedes told Forest river not to install Hellwig sway bar on 2017 and on any more.
__________________
raptor
2016 Forester MBS 2401R
America is great
|
|
|
11-14-2016, 04:29 PM
|
#9
|
2012 Solera
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,822
|
Not sure it's related, but a bracket on my Hellwig failed (see my post #358 in the Hellwig string: http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...-42197-36.html). Hellwig quickly replaced the broken bracket - but I never re-installed. Not enough difference, to me.
Also several reports of "clunking noise" with the Hellwig bar.
__________________
JLeising
2012 Solera "S"
Calif SF Bay Area
|
|
|
11-16-2016, 01:04 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Naples Fl
Posts: 407
|
It seems my problem is solved thru (as usual) great costumer support frm FR.
For all who are interested the MBS comes (again) with the Hellwig installed....
__________________
Retired military
Solera 24R Mar 2013 -Jun 2016
Forester 2401 Aug 2016 - Sep 2021
Entegra 27A Oct 2021 - ?
|
|
|
12-08-2016, 11:48 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Naples Fl
Posts: 407
|
Hellwig swaybar and install kit came yesterday, installed today - easier than I thought. Test drive will be in 10 days...
Now I really would like to get that "Hellwig equipped" sticker! Can any FR representative help??
Hans
__________________
Retired military
Solera 24R Mar 2013 -Jun 2016
Forester 2401 Aug 2016 - Sep 2021
Entegra 27A Oct 2021 - ?
|
|
|
12-08-2016, 12:21 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
|
I'm confused
Quote:
Originally Posted by Loefflerh
Hellwig swaybar and install kit came yesterday, installed today - easier than I thought. Test drive will be in 10 days...
Now I really would like to get that "Hellwig equipped" sticker! Can any FR representative help??
Hans
|
So let me see if I understand. The brochure you saw when you bought/ordered your Forester MBS indicated the Helwig sway bar was standard equipment. Your MBS actually did not have the Helwig installed. FR provided you with equipment that was supposed to be installed, you had to install it yourself and for some reason, you are pleased with FR customer service?
If true, it doesn't surprise me that FR and the other manufacturers get away with so much.
|
|
|
12-08-2016, 05:01 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Naples Fl
Posts: 407
|
It wasn't FR, it was MB.
And btw - takes longer to drive 30 miles one way to the dealer, wait, drive back than to loosen 6 bolts, get the old one out and stick the Hellwig in with 6 bolts.
FR immediately responded (within hours)and offered a solution which was ok with me.
Hans
__________________
Retired military
Solera 24R Mar 2013 -Jun 2016
Forester 2401 Aug 2016 - Sep 2021
Entegra 27A Oct 2021 - ?
|
|
|
12-08-2016, 09:38 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
|
I'm still confused
Quote:
Originally Posted by Loefflerh
It wasn't FR, it was MB.
And btw - takes longer to drive 30 miles one way to the dealer, wait, drive back than to loosen 6 bolts, get the old one out and stick the Hellwig in with 6 bolts.
FR immediately responded (within hours)and offered a solution which was ok with me.
Hans
|
MB does not install nor warrant the Helwig sway bar. FR installs them at the factory, but you indicated it was not installed on your Forester.
So where/how did MB mess up and how exactly did FR "fix" an MB issue?
|
|
|
12-09-2016, 08:01 AM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Naples Fl
Posts: 407
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by raptor
When I bought 2016 FR MBS 2401R. Sell person said Mercedes told Forest river not to install Hellwig sway bar on 2017 and on any more.
|
Enough said.
__________________
Retired military
Solera 24R Mar 2013 -Jun 2016
Forester 2401 Aug 2016 - Sep 2021
Entegra 27A Oct 2021 - ?
|
|
|
12-09-2016, 08:48 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
|
Ok, got it
Quote:
Originally Posted by Loefflerh
Enough said.
|
Reminds me of the line given for the lack of a battery boost switch on the Forester MBS and Solera "Mercedes won't let us (FR) tie into the chassis battery".
Then the Dynamax Isata 3 (Forest River product on MBS chassis) shows up with the same battery control center and a battery boost switch. Oops, never mind.
So I'm sure some sales rep at some dealership has the inside scoop on what MB is telling FR.
|
|
|
03-24-2017, 06:02 PM
|
#18
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 94
|
I'm guessing then that this is a Hellwig:
__________________
2016 Sunseeker 2400WM Sprinter 3500 Diesel
|
|
|
03-24-2017, 06:20 PM
|
#19
|
2012 Solera
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,822
|
Aftermarket for sure, most likely Hellwig. Clamps held on with Allen-head screws is Hellwig "signature" vs stock.
__________________
JLeising
2012 Solera "S"
Calif SF Bay Area
|
|
|
03-24-2017, 07:36 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Sarasota
Posts: 587
|
Yes , that's a hellwig sway bar.
__________________
2015 Solera 24r
2017 Jeep Wrangler
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|