Do to the fact that the instructions that come with your new Hellwig Anti-sway bar SUCK, I have written down some vital information that I obtained through my installation and in talking with the tech support at Hellwig.
My main questions concerned which nuts and bolts went where. I was surprised to find out that some were double nutted. The instructions did not mention anything about that!

!. If you are doing shocks also, do them both at the same time. You have to take the lower shock mount off the axle to put on the new U bolt and add the hellwig plate. This is a lot more difficult with a new Bilstein shock pushing it down to the ground. Trust me.

2. Buy a few more 1/2" cut washer before you start and remember to grease the D-bushing before putting it on the sway bar.

3. The u-bolts need to be washered and you use the eight hex nuts that are not pinch nuts. Double nut the u-bolts.

4. The D-bracket that holds the sway bar to the plate that you put on the lower shock mount should be mounted on the top two holes, the lower of the top two holes is the top of the u-bolt. Use a washer and a 1/2" pinch nut for the top hole.

5. The u-bracket that is mounted on the end of the sway bar to hold the end-links is mounted with a washer and a 1/2" pinch nut.

6. put the rubber bushings into the end links first. Then take a file and file one end of the steel sleeves that go through the bushings. File the outside rim of the sleeve so that it will slide through the bushings more easily. You will have to use a hammer to get them through the bushings.

7. The bolts that hold the end links together (4) are the only nuts and bolts that you can figure out on your own where they go. They are the smaller bolts with a lock nut. No washer needed.

8. Adjust the end links so that the Hellwig is parallel to the ground. I cut one hole off of mine. I have a 4x4. I did it because everyone said too. I found it interesting though that the front swaybar installed by Ford is not even close to being level to anything. The sway bar looks like it is a 40 degree angle and the end links are the same.

9. You will have four bolts (7/16) left to mount your end links to the frame and sway bar. The longer ones are used for the top frame mount, use three washers, two on the outside of the bushings and one on the other side of the frame. Pinch nuts are used here also. I didn't use any washers for the lower link connection to the U bracket on the end of the sway bar. Use a pinch nut there too.

10.Tourqe all bolts to the specs on the instructions. This is by far the most usable section of the instructions.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I just ordered mine and will install this weekend with my new Rancho RX9000 shocks.
How long did it take you to install the sway bar?
Pat

 

I spent a couple of hours I suppose. Actual install time is probably 30 minutes if I had to do it again. I heard of shops doing it for $45. The shocks are the easiest I have ever done.

 

I would also like to thank all of you , on the Hellwig anti sway issue. I just recieved my bar today. I plan on installing it on friday, right before my wyfe takes the EX out of town. I hope it is everything its craked up to be. I just did not think the EX. was safe without it. It just seemed a bit squirely. I may be a nervious ninny, but it will be hauling my most precious cargo (MY FAMILY). So again I want to thank all of you for all of the little things that might make the task easier. I am working ten hour days, and running short of time. I have only one question though, do I need any thread locking compound, if so what kind do you recomend. Also like ( bigslurrp ) I will also pass on any little bit of information that might help the next guy. Thats what it is all about is'nt it,

 

With taht many hours at the office...
find a local 4x4 shop to do the install --- I paid $45 for the install..
WELL worth it...

 

I cant. I am to stubborn to pay sombody else to do anything I think I can handle. with a few smashed fingers and a few scraped nuckles later, OOP's and extending my VOCABULARY, it is easier to convince my wife to spend the money I saved on something more important . Things like tools and hunting.

 

i used the medium tread lockers on mine and check them after a week, it seems to be fine.good luck

 

I installed mine last night.
Thanks for the helpful hints.
Pat

 

Well I installed mine last friday, and Hellwig has got a long way to go to improve there instructions. I came back in the house and printed out the instructions that ( bigslurrp ) was so kind to give us. It would have been better if I would have had a tool buddie to hand me tools and parts. Thanks for the hints.
PS: The Anti Swaybar made a HUGE differance, It was money well spent, and the handling is great. It did'nt make a little differance, It made Huge differance.

 

??? Did lots of research before I installed mine...most of the pictures that I saw had a one piece tubular drop links but mine are two piece on my 01 4X4....anyone else have two piece drop links??

 

Mine were two piece. I think that is the only way to go to be able to level your swaybar. (2000 4x4 X)