for those that have or have watched, are sway bars easy to install? I figure the front is just unbolt and replace and bolt back. However, on the rear, is thier much to installing them? And does it take special tools other than sockets-drills, etc?

 

As you said the front is extremely easy. I just had the bolt snap off on my passengerside sway bar bushings this weekend. You don't even need to twist the bar to install the bushings. You just toss in the bolt, bushings, washers, and you are done.

To replace the whole front sway bar would take less than an hour!

Haven't touched the rear though.

kev

 

Depends on the brand I have the Hotchkis..The front is a 20 min job at the most with just a socket set..The rear took some monkeying around because it's made for the 9.75 rear...I think the helwig might be a little easier...For both front and rear....I would say an afternoon to be safe ,with a socket set and a drill to clean out some holes in the frame..

 

Thank's, I pick up the front sway friday, but Steeda was out and is making the rear and will be in around 2-3 weeks from now.

 

PhillipSVT,
You need to contact BigDeal. He installed a Hellwig rear sway bar. I have been picking his brain because he lowered his truck like I am planning on doing to mine. He has been one of several people who have been very helpfull. I have not yet asked BigDeal about the sway bar installation but I will soon.

Blake

 

thanks Blake, I'll do that.

 

Hey fellow Okie,

"Generic" swaybar guidelines:

1. Do not over or under tighten endlinks.

2. Make sure you have the correct lenght endlink bolts and spacers for your stock or lowered application.

3. In the front, weight of vehicle needs to by on tires or ground when tightening endlinks. In the back, it is better to have a little weight in back when tightening endlinks.

4. In back, the swaybar endlink arms are supppose to be parrallel to frame (helps to determine where to postion the U clamps).

5. Don't know if you are suppose to or if it needs it, but I put a little grease on the polyurathane bushings.

Note: Stiffer coil springs was a far better mod. to reduce body roll effects of I-40 cross winds.

 

I just installed a lightning rear sway bar, (with all the factory nuts/bolts/brackets, etc, etc), last week.

Like someone stated, I think the bar is made for the small rear end.
No directions, (obviously, just everything in a box of parts).
Took me about an hour and a half, (had a hoist/air tools, etc, everything I needed, (except patience)......
Anyway, I had to MOVE the emergency brake cable on the passenger side, and relocate the steel brake line brass TEE fitting on the drivers side of the axle for clearance for the bar.

It does handle much nicer now, but I"ve got a stock sway bar on the front, so now it actually feels like the front end DIVES, and the *** end goes straight. Go figure.

I'll have to upgrade to a larger aftermarket front bar next.

Highly recommend installing the rear bar tho. You'll love it, Phillip!