no, the van did not come with a front sway bar.

it seems all i got with the kit was the sway bar, 4 nuts, 2 bushings and 2 large bolts.
got this from addco. i think i have some parts missing.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&p...Co2FUTUPSJCi5A

 

 

ok so it looks about right. how on earth does the bushing fit into the i beam hole?

how do you shrink the bushing?

 

Not to chuckle at your expense but I've been there, done that with a '97 E250 I replaced the worn out stock I-Beam bushings with urethane---not easy but not complicated either---persistence was the best tool I had. Your project will be a bit easier since your original bushings seem to be missing already--half the work is already done!

(Trying to not be too snarky but those included installation instructions are woefully lacking in any useful information at all---assuming there's not something more extensive available specific to that kit?)

Get some marine grade grease, something that won't attack the plastic (hopefully urethane) bushings---its almost vital!

Get some SAE hardened washers whose OD is just about the same as the bushing OD, hole large enough for your bolts to pass through---you'll need at least 4, two for each side during final installation.

The bushings need to be pressed into the I-Beams which can be done by using threaded rod (as an example), washers and nuts to pull them into place---sort of a drive way press on the cheap and easy. A long enough bolt will work too but those supplied with your kit won't work---too short. Lubricate them with the marine grade grease for both ease of installation and lessening friction while in use.

I can attempt to describe this ^^^^ more completely if you need----don't want to yammer on too much just now.

You can NOT (typically) beat or hammer the bushings into place because they bounce and laugh at you as they're resisting any effort you can create. Trust me on this!

Once the bushings are in place use the larger SAE washers to support the faces of them against any metal that might contact them. Essentially you're trying to sandwich the bushings between the washers which will result in better clamping forces which better transfers the I-Beam travel to the sway bar as its intended to do. Without that sandwiching support of the bushing they'll wallow out greatly reducing your bar's efficiency.

Asking a dumb question is there any way to get something like the Hellwig at this point? I chose their products because their attachment method and its reason seemed better to me. Having already dealt with two OEM bars and bushing arrangements I wanted something not only easier to service but better design and execution too. Hellwig is a bit more expensive but I'll say its a one time expense, can be transferred if the van is sold and in the long run just a better choice. This is nothing but my own not-so-humble opinion so take it for what its worth.

One other thing: if your frame rails are already tapped for the U-clamps be very careful to NOT over tighten the bolts----the frame rails are easily stripped out.

Lemme know if I can help in any other way Wiz!

 

Wiz did you ever finish this installation? Any new photos?

 

so here is my home made press, yes i used a top clamp as the backer piece.
now i just need to find big enough washers for the back of the bushings so i can install the swaybar.

 

That's pretty much the same process I used too Wiz----no other real way to do it!

I'd hit a big industrial fastener supply house---several places online would certainly have what you need. Hole ID, OD of the washer and thickness would be easy to determine so the search should be easy.

Thanks for following up!

 

finally got to this project again.

got the tap and die kit and started putting things in place. come to find out the hardware included in the kit. the bolts dont fit through the holes in the sway bar. the sway bar is bent and the 2 holes wont line up. after one bolt is 1/4 way in mounting spot the other hole is 3/4 inch off. to install the bolt from the back "like the directions say to" you would have to cut off the lower shock bolt thats welded to the frame. im over it, ill deal with the body roll untill i get a hellwig kit.


if anyone is looking for a sway bar for their van "DO NOT USE ADDCO"

 

Great job getting the bushing in tho buddy, sux the bar isn't bet correctly, I'd take it to a shop with a bar bender and adjust it if it were me. LoL

 

Absolutely that does suck---after all the work you've already done getting this installed.

I know the Hellwig stuff is a bit pricey but since its a one-time investment and could be removed if trading vans its worth the cost IMHO. I'd hit the 'net and do some comparative shopping but don't be surprised if the prices are fairly consistent. It appears most Hellwig retailers are just re-sellers, drop shipping direct from Hellwig even though you pay the retailer. IIRC the HD front bar for my '00 E250 was about $219 shipped. The re-seller I used no longer seems to carry or offer them but Hellwig's site does have a dealer locator.

If you're upgrading shocks I'd try eShocks.com----got my Bilstein's for about $100 less for the set of 4 than anyone else offered them---free shipping too!

 

You can get the hellwig 7183 at streetsideauto.com for $195 with free shipping,don't know if you've gotten one yet.

 

That's a great price on the Hellwig rear bar----mine was just about that same price 5 or 6 years ago. I've seen some sites selling them for $220 and more.

Wizzy124 hasn't been here in a while so hard to tell what he's up to.

Thanks for the update though----price checks are always helpful!

 

This is something next on my list of mods to do to my 96 E150, I wonder if the E250 bars will fit the E150 ? There's nothing listed for the 150's as far as oversize sway bars, lest not on Summit Racing's site.

 

Go to Helliwig's site or call them direct. Summit is a great place but their site and customer service isn't a lot of help when it comes to sway bars.

I'm fairly sure the sway bars are compatible back to at least 1992. Apologies if I'm wrong.

I'd also recommend urethane radius arm and axle pivot bushings too. Radius arm can be DIY but axle pivot might need the help of a shop if you're not well equipped.

 

What diameter are the stock 250 and 350 sway bars ?