Hellwig Sway Bar On 2004 Ex
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Junior User
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Hellwig Sway Bar On 2004 Ex
Just installed ATS V/C springs and all new Moog front end parts. Steering is great. Still have a little sway. Thinking of changing the rear sway bar to the Hellwig. Will it make a big difference? How about changing out the front to the Hellwig also?
Currently running Bilstein shocks but I think they may be worn out a bit. Think I might replace those with either another set of Bilsteins or go with the Rancho5000. Any other recommendations?
Thanks
Currently running Bilstein shocks but I think they may be worn out a bit. Think I might replace those with either another set of Bilsteins or go with the Rancho5000. Any other recommendations?
Thanks
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: N. IL
I don't recall there being much difference in diameter between the 2 bars. Might be better to analyze your problem and look for other root causes. I guess you're towing heavy? I can't imagine any side to side sway with both front/rear bars attached and truck unloaded.
Both Bilstein's and Rancho's will work fine for you.
Great first post, welcome!
Both Bilstein's and Rancho's will work fine for you.
Great first post, welcome!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,812
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From: Thousand Oaks, CA
Is it a rocking side-to-side or steering wander or ...
Larger diameter anti-roll bars will add roll resistance when turning or in crosswinds.
I have the Hellwig front & rear bars installed.
The cornering is much flatter and more controlled.
Rocking in winds is much reduced.
It's usually a good idea if increasing one bar to do the other, too, which will help keep the original balance.
I think the "original balance" for an Excursion should have included the F250 rear bar and was left out to save money.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-roll_bar
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The sway I'm referring to is more of a slight side to side rocking. I'm thinking my rear shocks may be worn. They were on the truck when I bought it so I don't know how old they are. Truck has 196k on it now and I bought it with about 168k.
I replaced the steering box about 4 months ago. Coupled with the new springs on all 4 corners and the new front end (Ball joints and tie rods) the truck really drives a lot better. But its still not perfect. Maybe this is as good at it gets with an Excursion?
I replaced the steering box about 4 months ago. Coupled with the new springs on all 4 corners and the new front end (Ball joints and tie rods) the truck really drives a lot better. But its still not perfect. Maybe this is as good at it gets with an Excursion?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,812
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From: Thousand Oaks, CA
The sway I'm referring to is more of a slight side to side rocking. I'm thinking my rear shocks may be worn. They were on the truck when I bought it so I don't know how old they are. Truck has 196k on it now and I bought it with about 168k. ... Maybe this is as good at it gets with an Excursion?
Larger diameter bars will add more roll resistance and firm up body movement when turning.
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
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From: South Texas/RGV
Just driving along and a relatively smooth road? Rear sway bar won't make a material difference. Having to make a quick maneuver or on a rough road? Rear sway bar makes a huge difference. So regardless I would get one. The front stock one is fine, just make sure the links don't need to be replaced. It sounds as if your problem is more shock related and so the rear anti-sway bar won't fix that problem. But it will improve other things and so I would still plan on getting it.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 48
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From: West Chester,PA
I just put ATS Mod C's, and new Bilsteins on. I don't have any sway, without making quick moves. I still need to put a rear bar on. The shocks should stop the side to side rock.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Thousand Oaks, CA
Sway is when a vehicle is rotating back and forth such as when the back end of a trailer is wagging like a dog's tail.
Shocks are not really involved in either motion, they are suspension dampeners.
What diameters are the bars you have now?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Thousand Oaks, CA
Just driving along and a relatively smooth road? Rear sway bar won't make a material difference. ... It sounds as if your problem is more shock related and so the rear anti-sway bar won't fix that problem. But it will improve other things and so I would still plan on getting it.
Crosswinds cause roll, like when semi trailers tip over, which anti-roll bars will reduce.
I put large anti-roll bars on our '85 E350 27' class C which had no rear bar and there was a huge reduction in roll in crosswinds.
Shock absorbers (or dampeners) don't really come into play with vehicle roll.
They dampen oscillations in the suspension.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Thousand Oaks, CA
The new shocks are probably "stiffer" than your old ones which will dampen any change in roll quicker.
A larger rear bar will definitely be noticeable in reducing roll.
A larger front bar does make a noticeable improvement, but not near as much as adding a large rear bar when there was none.
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The rear sway bar I have now is the stock one. I'm not sure what the diameter is.
I suspect that my shocks are just warn. I'm going to get a set of Rancho 9000xl or Bilsteins. Kinda leaning towards the Rancho.
Right now it have the stock tires and rims. 265-75-16 Yokahama AT. Just picked up a set of 08 20" rims with 35-112.50-20 tires. Bora spacers are ordered. If the tires are too big then I'll try some 276-65-20 which is the stock size for that year.
I suspect that my shocks are just warn. I'm going to get a set of Rancho 9000xl or Bilsteins. Kinda leaning towards the Rancho.
Right now it have the stock tires and rims. 265-75-16 Yokahama AT. Just picked up a set of 08 20" rims with 35-112.50-20 tires. Bora spacers are ordered. If the tires are too big then I'll try some 276-65-20 which is the stock size for that year.
Pick up version or a Hellwig already. Yokohama AT's come in C, D or E which also may factor in.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Northern California
Not nessisarly, body roll is more about center of gravity over roll center then spring rate. If his new springs increase the ride height there will be more body roll.
Let say you go to a higher spring rate, the downward side will resist roll more however that is going to be offset by the spring pushing up equally on the opposite side effectively zeroing out the increase in rate.
Let say you go to a higher spring rate, the downward side will resist roll more however that is going to be offset by the spring pushing up equally on the opposite side effectively zeroing out the increase in rate.
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Pretty sure 03-05 6.0 4WD Excursions came with a sway bar. The tires I have are Geolander AT/S Load range E.