GM Drivetrain & Suspension Chassis | Transmission| Driveshaft | Gears/Rear End/Differential | Traction Aids

How To: Front Swaybar Install.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 15, 2006 | 08:01 PM
  #1  
GoldenVelvet's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 0
From: Fresno/Chico
Default How To: Front Swaybar Install.

I was going to d a write up on a front sway bar install but its pretty straight forward

1. Unbolt and remove rodends.
2. Unbolt and remove scrape plate.
3. Unbolt and remove two swaybar mounts.
4. Remove unbolted swaybar.
5. Revers processes with new swaybar.

That's it.

Ill take this time to go over some of the differences between a stock sway bar and a typical aftermarket bar.
The pic is HUGE and I put notes on it. ENJOY!
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2006 | 08:24 PM
  #2  
nightrunner's Avatar
Mr. Obvious
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,006
Likes: 2
From: Manchester, TN
Default

great write-up
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 12:39 AM
  #3  
GoldenVelvet's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 0
From: Fresno/Chico
Default

Originally Posted by nightrunner
great write-up
Thanks man. The install took about half an hour with my roommate helping me.

Man that pic is HUGE.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2006 | 05:49 PM
  #4  
nightrunner's Avatar
Mr. Obvious
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,006
Likes: 2
From: Manchester, TN
Default

how much did it help with handling and did it help with anything besides body roll
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2006 | 09:26 AM
  #5  
04sierra's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Denton, TX
Default

Why the Hellwig over the more used Hotchkis? Price? Bigger diameter? Just curious.
Let us know how it handles.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2006 | 12:58 PM
  #6  
GoldenVelvet's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 0
From: Fresno/Chico
Default

Originally Posted by 04sierra
Why the Hellwig over the more used Hotchkis? Price? Bigger diameter? Just curious.
Let us know how it handles.
The Hotchkis is a great product. I have there springs. But the Hotchkis rear sway bar is over engineered IMO. The rule of thumb for tuning sway bars is go as thick as you possibly can in the front and tune the rear to taste. I have an Addco rear sway bar that I purchased several years ago. Addco makes the largest front sway bar available (1 1/2 inches solid vs 1 7/16 hollow for the Hotchkis) After having a Addco front sway bar on back order for 4 months I gave up and went another route. Hotchkis does not sell there sway bars individually only as a set.

The rear Hellwig way bar is AWSOME and I will have to eventually trade my Addco for it.

As far as improved handling.... I cant really say as it was night and day. The truck is flater in a turn now. The tire complaint I get now is from the back tires now. At the limits of traction there is a bit of overstear now where as before it was more neutral. The real question is are the limits of traction higher now? I can already take a turn harder then the seats can keep you put (are seats considered part of the suspension?) so its hard to say. Ill take it out the weekend and through the hills and see.

Next suspension mod is a panhard bar.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2006 | 02:18 PM
  #7  
Sport Side's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
Default

Will the HellWig rear sway bar fit on a dropped truck? I'm looking at one from Summit but, it doesn't say.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2006 | 03:46 PM
  #8  
GoldenVelvet's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 0
From: Fresno/Chico
Default

Hellwig sway bar part number 7634, adjustable sway bar part number 7800
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2006 | 03:01 PM
  #9  
04sierra's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Denton, TX
Default

So do you consider the Hellwig a compromise or do you think it is better than the Addco?
I'm watching to see if you can hit your 1 g goal. Good luck.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2006 | 01:56 AM
  #10  
GoldenVelvet's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 0
From: Fresno/Chico
Default

Originally Posted by 04sierra
So do you consider the Hellwig a compromise or do you think it is better than the Addco?
I'm watching to see if you can hit your 1 g goal. Good luck.
Well I have an Addco rear.
I really would have like to have kept them matched.
It looks like Hellwig adjustable mounts will fit on the Addco rear bar.
That will be a good compromise.
But I need a panhard bar next.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
southernsmoker
Drag Racing
9
Aug 31, 2015 03:09 PM
FlowmasterMufflers
PHOTOGRAPHY
0
Aug 28, 2015 12:48 PM
Kaldar
GM Parts Classifieds
0
Jul 27, 2015 06:42 PM
alex226
Sponsor Feedback
1
Jul 27, 2015 07:12 AM
Offroadunleashed
Trucks and SUV Classifieds
0
Jul 20, 2015 02:25 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:10 PM.