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Old 09-03-2016, 10:18 AM   #221
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Any need for an alignment after the install?
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Old 09-03-2016, 11:01 AM   #222
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No need for alignment

My shop said i didn't need an alignment when they put Hellwig on front and back. After 4000 miles on the new suspension i haven't noticed any alignment problems.
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Old 09-03-2016, 01:37 PM   #223
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Got the front Helwig sway bar a few minutes ago. Yeap, Benagi you're right about the shipping box taking a beating. Everything in there.
Now to decide wether to do it myself or have the alignment shop install it. Going to be a long weekend to decide.
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Old 09-04-2016, 01:45 PM   #224
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Front sway bar attaches to this?

The existing sway bar ends are attached to these rods, will this rod withstand the new heavier Helwig?
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Old 09-05-2016, 12:15 AM   #225
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The existing sway bar ends are attached to these rods, will this rod withstand the new heavier Helwig?

The front helwig swaybars connect to the factory rods. The rear helwig swaybars come with new connecting rods. The rear bar is much heavier . Mine are working fine and loving the ride so far. Off to Colter Bay in the Tetons next weekend.
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Old 09-05-2016, 12:23 AM   #226
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The front helwig swaybars connect to the factory rods. The rear helwig swaybars come with new connecting rods. The rear bar is much heavier . Mine are working fine and loving the ride so far. Off to Colter Bay in the Tetons next weekend.
Thanks Ben, the rods looked mighty thin on the front. But I guess that's they way they come.
We've been up to Colter bay 3 or 4 times on the way to Yellowstone and Glacier. We've got to get back up there in the next year or two. Maybe stop by and say "hello" on the way. We usually stay at Cabela's in Lehi over night. Are you close?
Thanks again and have a safe trip!
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Old 09-05-2016, 12:54 AM   #227
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Thanks Ben, the rods looked mighty thin on the front. But I guess that's they way they come.

We've been up to Colter bay 3 or 4 times on the way to Yellowstone and Glacier. We've got to get back up there in the next year or two. Maybe stop by and say "hello" on the way. We usually stay at Cabela's in Lehi over night. Are you close?

Thanks again and have a safe trip!

We are only about 20 minutes from Cabelas. Would like to meet you the next time you are passing thru.
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Old 09-10-2016, 05:03 PM   #228
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Taking it into the shop for sway bar

Tried taking the old sway bar off. Could only get 3 bolts out. Gave up and now I am having a very very hard time getting the last big bolt back in. I'm too old for this stuff. Leaving it to the pros!
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Old 09-13-2016, 12:36 AM   #229
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Tried taking the old sway bar off. Could only get 3 bolts out. Gave up and now I am having a very very hard time getting the last big bolt back in. I'm too old for this stuff. Leaving it to the pros!

We noticed when removing the two front bolts, they had loctite on them. We used a 1/2 ratchet and socket and lots of elbow grease as we use to say.

Question about the bilstein steering stabilizer. After installing, we have noticed a little pull to the left when driving. Anyone else noticed this?
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Old 09-13-2016, 09:15 AM   #230
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Question about the bilstein steering stabilizer. After installing, we have noticed a little pull to the left when driving. Anyone else noticed this?
Are they gas charged?
Do they push out to full extension when not mounted?
If they are- they may make the rig pull slightly until they break in.
If they are not gas charged- they should not make your rig pull to either side.
Check your air pressures.
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Old 09-14-2016, 12:28 AM   #231
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Are they gas charged?
Do they push out to full extension when not mounted?
If they are- they may make the rig pull slightly until they break in.
If they are not gas charged- they should not make your rig pull to either side.
Check your air pressures.

Yes it does push out when not mounted. Thought that me be the problem. Surprised that little bit of pressure could make a 14000 lb vehicle pull.
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Old 09-14-2016, 09:38 AM   #232
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Yes it does push out when not mounted. Thought that me be the problem. Surprised that little bit of pressure could make a 14000 lb vehicle pull.
Add some air to the left front tire.
Or let some out of the rt front until it eases up.
Try 2 or 3 lbs.

I don't know why they gas pressurize a steering stabilizer.
Doesn't seem right.
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Old 09-15-2016, 12:38 AM   #233
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Add some air to the left front tire.
Or let some out of the rt front until it eases up.
Try 2 or 3 lbs.

I don't know why they gas pressurize a steering stabilizer.
Doesn't seem right.

Good idea . Thx for the info.
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Old 09-16-2016, 11:31 AM   #234
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Had the front sway bar installed this morning, they striped both of the small rear bolts up front. Now I have to figure out who's going to fix it. I may have to remove the bumper myself and attach nuts.
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Old 09-16-2016, 04:41 PM   #235
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Thank you Benagi!

My local Ford dealer wouldn't touch the striped swaybar bolts and referred me to an Axle suspension shop and they wouldn't either and referred me to another shop and they said maybe. So I decided to see how difficult it would be to remove the front bumper as Benagi had the same issue. I easily removed the 4 bolts for the shroud cover and the 4 large bolts for the bumper. As you can see in the photos there is plenty of room to get a lock nut and socket in there. Ran to the hardware store and picked up some 10mm course locknuts. Installed the nuts on the 2 bolts and rechecked the steering stabilizer bolt that had striped a few weeks ago. Reinstalled the bumper and we are done!
Thanks so much for the tip Benagi!
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Old 09-16-2016, 06:47 PM   #236
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Had the front sway bar installed this morning, they striped both of the small rear bolts up front. Now I have to figure out who's going to fix it. I may have to remove the bumper myself and attach nuts.
Do you think they stripped the bolts as a result of using a impact wrench to tighten them as opposed to hand tightening them with a torque wrench? I'm going to be replacing both sway bars this weekend and noticed that the Hellwig front bar instructions do not have a torque table but the rear bar does.
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Old 09-16-2016, 08:34 PM   #237
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Do you think they stripped the bolts as a result of using a impact wrench to tighten them as opposed to hand tightening them with a torque wrench? I'm going to be replacing both sway bars this weekend and noticed that the Hellwig front bar instructions do not have a torque table but the rear bar does.
They used an impact wrench. I used a ratchet wrench with the lock nuts.
Not sure what to set a torque wrench to since the thread are striped.
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Old 09-16-2016, 10:51 PM   #238
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Do you think they stripped the bolts as a result of using a impact wrench to tighten them as opposed to hand tightening them with a torque wrench? I'm going to be replacing both sway bars this weekend and noticed that the Hellwig front bar instructions do not have a torque table but the rear bar does.
Helwigs 7718 and 7180? Let us know how it goes, especially the rear. Good luck!
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Old 09-17-2016, 12:15 AM   #239
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Do you think they stripped the bolts as a result of using a impact wrench to tighten them as opposed to hand tightening them with a torque wrench? I'm going to be replacing both sway bars this weekend and noticed that the Hellwig front bar instructions do not have a torque table but the rear bar does.

Newrver, check out my post # 202 in this thread . Those rear bolts go thru a threaded frame with very few threads and strip very easy with just a 3/8 inch ratchet and not much pressure . Good luck with your install. Those Hellwig sway bars are well worth it.
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Old 09-17-2016, 07:37 AM   #240
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Newrver, check out my post # 202 in this thread . Those rear bolts go thru a threaded frame with very few threads and strip very easy with just a 3/8 inch ratchet and not much pressure . Good luck with your install. Those Hellwig sway bars are well worth it.
Thanks! I will be paying attention to that.
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