Too much sway!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 15
From: Toronto, Canada
Too much sway!
Anyone noticed bad rear end sway (wagging) when making lane changes and passing at speed? (50mph+) My 2k2 f250 4x4 sc shorty with 285/75R16D BFG A/T's (front 55psi/rear 50 psi) that I think has way too much of this. It gets scary sometimes when making routine manoevers.
I noticed that the rear sway bar is almost half of the thickness of the front and can be shaken by hand at the link, unlike the front. My '78 F250 came stock with same diameter bars front and rear. It has no sway, but is stiffer sprung as well.
These stock shocks can't help either, but I have to get my money out of them (6500 miles).
Anyone that has switched to a helwig or other thicker rear sway bar see any difference? Or remedy the existing one?
I noticed that the rear sway bar is almost half of the thickness of the front and can be shaken by hand at the link, unlike the front. My '78 F250 came stock with same diameter bars front and rear. It has no sway, but is stiffer sprung as well.
These stock shocks can't help either, but I have to get my money out of them (6500 miles).
Anyone that has switched to a helwig or other thicker rear sway bar see any difference? Or remedy the existing one?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 759
Likes: 95
Too much sway!
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Jul-02 AT 07:20 AM (EST)]I have not experienced this. I have BFG All Terrains in 265/75/16. I keep them at 45 psi front 55 psi rear. I don't have a rear sway bar, either.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Too much sway!
>285/75R16D BFG A/T's
Maybe the added sidewall flex can be to blame?
>I noticed that the rear sway bar is almost half of the
>thickness of the front and can be shaken by hand at the
>link, unlike the front.
Sounds as if the bushings are worn. But huh?! Kinda new for that! I'd at least verify the torque on the bolts.
It is quite a skinny bar, isn't it?
I do know NoMo went with a Hellwig bar with great success but he's out of the loop for a while...
Maybe the added sidewall flex can be to blame?
>I noticed that the rear sway bar is almost half of the
>thickness of the front and can be shaken by hand at the
>link, unlike the front.
Sounds as if the bushings are worn. But huh?! Kinda new for that! I'd at least verify the torque on the bolts.
It is quite a skinny bar, isn't it?
I do know NoMo went with a Hellwig bar with great success but he's out of the loop for a while...
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 8
From: OK
Too much sway!
Well, I'll be in & out for a while... 
The anti-sway bar shouldn't move any when shaken by hand. Either take it back to the dealer or check/tighten the mounting hardware yourself.
The anti-sway bar shouldn't move any when shaken by hand. Either take it back to the dealer or check/tighten the mounting hardware yourself.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Mountaintop USA
Too much sway!
My Hellwig seems to work well and like NoMo said you shouldn't be able to move it by hand at all. The ends of your bar at the links should be as level as possible, if mounted properly and I would chk all the mounting hardware like Monsta indicated. Good luck. Let us know what ya find out.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 15
From: Toronto, Canada
Too much sway!
Thanks guys! Anyone know what the torque specs should be on the front and rear bars? Or where to find the info?
Thanks!
Matt
Thanks!
Matt
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Mountaintop USA
Too much sway!
>Thanks guys! Anyone know what the torque specs should be on
>the front and rear bars? Or where to find the info?
>
>Thanks!
>Matt
Matt, from my service manual for the rear....stabilizer bar retainer bracket to axle bolt, 30 ft lbs; stabilizer bar retainer bracket to axle u-bolt & nut, 35 ft lbs; stabilizer bar link to frame nut, 52 ft lbs; stabilizer link to stabilizer bar nut, 52 ft lbs. Hope this helps.
>the front and rear bars? Or where to find the info?
>
>Thanks!
>Matt
Matt, from my service manual for the rear....stabilizer bar retainer bracket to axle bolt, 30 ft lbs; stabilizer bar retainer bracket to axle u-bolt & nut, 35 ft lbs; stabilizer bar link to frame nut, 52 ft lbs; stabilizer link to stabilizer bar nut, 52 ft lbs. Hope this helps.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 15
From: Toronto, Canada
Too much sway!
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 21-Jul-02 AT 11:20 PM (EST)]Thanks guys, and Kirk,
I checked under the truck again, and you can definitely shake the bar at the end link/sway bar connection. My '78 has bigger diameter bars than the rear of the '02, but has the same diameter endlinks, (and no shake).
As well, the rear bar is tilting up slightly towards the frame (maybe an inch higher than level).
Dad and I tested the '78 vs '02 by rocking the two (standing on the rocker panels) and we were very surpised at just how much body roll we could get in the '02. Extreme amounts in fact.
We think that the springs are too weak to resist torsional movement (of the body), as well as hold up to our empty stock trailer, or corner without lots of body roll. Off to the local spring shop I guess.
Thoughts?
I think that manufacturers these days are too set on building soft riding cars for trucks!!UGGGGH!
Matt
I checked under the truck again, and you can definitely shake the bar at the end link/sway bar connection. My '78 has bigger diameter bars than the rear of the '02, but has the same diameter endlinks, (and no shake).
As well, the rear bar is tilting up slightly towards the frame (maybe an inch higher than level).
Dad and I tested the '78 vs '02 by rocking the two (standing on the rocker panels) and we were very surpised at just how much body roll we could get in the '02. Extreme amounts in fact.
We think that the springs are too weak to resist torsional movement (of the body), as well as hold up to our empty stock trailer, or corner without lots of body roll. Off to the local spring shop I guess.
Thoughts?
I think that manufacturers these days are too set on building soft riding cars for trucks!!UGGGGH!
Matt
