That SUCKED!

My goodness- what a major PITA. I installed the Hellwig anti-sway bar tonight. Had to take the right rear shock loose to get the bar positioned properly over the driveshaft & pumpkin. There just wasn't enough room between the fuel tank and driveshaft nor the muffler and driveshaft to manuever the bar into place. Then, the left side axle-mount "wants" to be in the same spot as the shock. Had to bend the brake line a little and re-position the distribution/vent block so it didn't rub against the swaybar bracket. I guess one good thing was that the end-links were pretty easy to install.

Anyway, the truck handles MUCH better now. I guess it was worth the effort.

 

You are going to LOVE the BedRug.

Where did you get the Hellwigs? Did you get a great deal (like the BedRug)? What made you decide on Hellwig vs. other brands?

How long did it take to install? I am not a mechanic, but I don't mind getting my hands dirty. I don't have air tools either.

 

Hi Jeff- thanks again for the lead on the BedRug.

I got the Hellwig bar from Summit Racing. It cost $137 delivered to my door. That's their normal price. I chose Hellwig again because of my experience with their bar on my F350 (also purchased at Summit). Hellwig seem to be a good company and produces a quality product. But mostly, they support it after the sale. When I installed the bar on my F350, I broke a J-bolt by over-tightening it. The next day I called them up, told them what happened and they shipped a replacement plus another spare out at no charge. Service like that seems to be getting rare these days.

Also, I called Hellwig to verify the part # for the '02 F150. When I spoke with the "information" guy, he confirmed the part number was correct and told me it was pretty difficult to install on the S'crew, but that it would fit. Said I'd have to work hard to get the bar into position and bend the brake lines... he was right.

It only took about 2.5 hours to install- including a short test drive then re-tightening of all the fasteners (my F350 only took about an hour). I have air tools, but didn't use them. I only used a deep-well 19mm socket, plus 16mm, 18mm and 19mm open-end wrenches. The 18mm was for the upper shock mount.

 

Nomo,
Do you know if the part # you installed is the same for the Supercab? I bought a rear sway bar for my supercab but never got the chance top install it, now i traded it for a supercrew and want to see if it will fit, I checked the magazines and it semed to be the same part # but I wasn't sure being the shocks are placed differently on the two trucks,
Thanks
Gino

 

nomo,

I installed mine in 45 minutes; it is a pain, but worth it! I called Hellwig just to make sure I positioned it correctly. Why did you have to loosen a shock? Mine went over the pumpkin with ease. How do you like the results.

One note: after about 1000 miles I noticed the right side rolled up form the 45 degree angle install. Be sure to check and tigthen those nuts before they cut your brake line!

 

I installed part# 7621. That was the number that I was given here (few posts down) and that Hellwig gave me. I think it is the one-size-fits-all F150 part. I got both long & short end-links (long for 4x4). I used the short ones on our 4x2.

I haven't looked under a lot of F150s but the '02 Screw has a few changes from the '00 F150 reg-cab that I owned a year or so ago. First thing I noticed is that the right (passenger side) shock is mounted pointed forward and the left is pointed rearward. Then, there is only about 4" between the driveshaft and the fuel tank on the left or the muffler on the right. There was just no way that I could see to get the bar into position without pulling something (shock was easiest) out of the way. I even jacked the truck about 5" off the groud to give me more angle clearance trying to "worm" the bar into place.

As I said before, I just did an install a couple of months ago on my F350 and it only took about an hour by myself. Perhaps I shouldn't have let my wife help this time! Actually, I think the big difference is 4x4 vs 4x2. There just isn't much room under the 2WDs.

Anyway, in the short distance that "I" drove it, handling seem to be noticeably improved. Since it's my wife's truck, I made her drive it for a more familiar comparison. She also said it was a lot better.

 

Oh yeah- I moved the brake lines out of the way. There's about a 1/8" of clearance minimum. I'll re-tighten everything when she gets back from a trip she's making this weekend.

 

Thanks NoMo
Thats the Part # I have, I guess when it gets a little warmer i'll put it in

 

My wife went out of town for the weekend on a 200 mile trip. I spoke to her a while ago and she said the truck handles much better. A lot less roll in the corners and less effects from cross-winds. So, I guess it was worth the effort.

 

How about some pics.
Like to know how it looks after install.
Thanks,
Brian

 

OK. But it'll probably be Monday or Tuesday before I can take them. Wife won't be back until tomorrow (Sunday) night.

 

I know what you mean about a tight fit!!! Try installing the swaybar with a Gibson Dual Sport exhaust. It is tight enough with one exhaust pipe running, but two!!! I jacked the rear end of my truck way up and did manage to get the swaybar in without removing any other pieces. I replaced front and rear and love it.
-Michael

 

Yuck. No thanks- one pipe was more than enough to work around. But it's amazing how much better the truck drives now isn't it.

Sorry for not posting pics. With the snow & muck we've had the past couple of days, it may be a while before I can get the truck clean enough to even see the swaybar. I promise I'll post some pics soon though.

 

nomo -

I missed your thread and responded to an earlier thread on this subject. It sounds like you had the same problem I did (see my post under Rear Sway Bar foe S-crew).

Now I am wondering if it is worth the hassle to do this. My reasoning is the custom 3" exhaust I now have on my Screw. My only advantage is that it's SI/SO.

Question for you; when you installed the Rods into the pre-drilled frame holes, were they vertical or on a slight angle? As I noted in the other post, when I rotated the Sway Bar to avoid all the rear axle brackets, brake lines, etc., it offset the rods at a pretty severe angle.

I tow a 5,550# TT and like the idea of better stability. Here is an idea: Hellwig's helper springs with Rancho 9000 shocks? I appreciate the insight from everyone on this sight. The ideas, and recommendations are always helpful and intended to help fellow Screw owners get the most out of their ride.

I'm open to any and all input.

 

Once the bar was threaded up into position (forward of the axle), everything went together perfectly. The end-links are verticle- as they should be.

The effort was definitely worth it. We've had 45mph winds today and the truck handled great. Before the Hellwig install, a 15mph gust would have the truck "walking" all over the road. I'll really try to get some pics taken so you can see how the bar fits.