Stabilizer Bar
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Stabilizer Bar
Anybody know where I can get a stabilizer bar to replace the wimpy one that came on the front of my '92 Aerostar?
Hellwig, Hotchkis, and IPD don't have them (IPD once made them but demand fell off).
Thanks
Hellwig, Hotchkis, and IPD don't have them (IPD once made them but demand fell off).
Thanks
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Stabilizer Bar
Just answered my own question, but raises new question.
Addco sells front and rear bars for Aerostar, but they said the stock front bar is hollow!
New question: If I am only doing one bar, should I replace the front with an Addco solid, or should I add a rear bar?
Thanks
Addco sells front and rear bars for Aerostar, but they said the stock front bar is hollow!
New question: If I am only doing one bar, should I replace the front with an Addco solid, or should I add a rear bar?
Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Stabilizer Bar
I added the rear Addco and am more than pleased... a bit of drilling but damn, she lays a lot flatter in the curves. Haven't really thought about doing the front, wouldn't want that much understeer myself (if you made the front stiffer w/o adding one in the rear).
Mark
Mark
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Stabilizer Bar
I think you are right. At least the front has a bar but the rear has nothing and with all that van body would add to roll and catch a lot of wind. On a rear bar I can go cheaper with a Hellwig, though on my motorhome their rear bar was difficult because the u-bolt should have gone right where the brake line distribution block is. How'd the Addco bar work as far as that goes?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Stabilizer Bar
As I recall, and this may be difficult to envision until you see it, the bar doesn't attach to the axle at all. It profiles it nicely but just attaches to the suspension arms (on the inboard side of each side). The worst part was the drilling, I think you need a powerfull 1/2" drill (and sharp bits!) but the bolt-on part was pretty good. I also put in KYB shocks at the time, that definitely helped the van stay settled over bouncy roads.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Stabilizer Bar
>As I recall, and this may be difficult to envision until you
>see it, the bar doesn't attach to the axle at all. It
>profiles it nicely but just attaches to the suspension arms
>(on the inboard side of each side). The worst part was the
>drilling, I think you need a powerfull 1/2" drill (and sharp
>bits!) but the bolt-on part was pretty good. I also put in
>KYB shocks at the time, that definitely helped the van stay
>settled over bouncy roads.
Thanks, Sounds like a good setup. I have a pretty fierce high speed drill--an old Sears with the metal case. Used it to drill holes in the frame of my E350 motorhome, so I guess it will work on the suspension arms. I probably need shocks too, since they are original at 89,000 miles.
>see it, the bar doesn't attach to the axle at all. It
>profiles it nicely but just attaches to the suspension arms
>(on the inboard side of each side). The worst part was the
>drilling, I think you need a powerfull 1/2" drill (and sharp
>bits!) but the bolt-on part was pretty good. I also put in
>KYB shocks at the time, that definitely helped the van stay
>settled over bouncy roads.
Thanks, Sounds like a good setup. I have a pretty fierce high speed drill--an old Sears with the metal case. Used it to drill holes in the frame of my E350 motorhome, so I guess it will work on the suspension arms. I probably need shocks too, since they are original at 89,000 miles.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Stabilizer Bar
I paid less than $30 each for the KYB's and they have a lifetime warranty but have never had one fail. I also put on P225/70R14 "SUV" type tires on which I'm really happy with, a bit more mass for a heavy AWD van that sees a fair amount of gravel roads.
Good luck, you'll really like the changes,
Mark
Good luck, you'll really like the changes,
Mark
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Stabilizer Bar
I got the instructions for the Hellwig rear bar. It u-bolts to axle housing and the links mount to a bracket that clamps over the trailing arm. So there is not drilling and they are only $135. However, I may have to go with the ADDCO because the Hellwig setup seems strange, having the links mount on the trailing arms seems as if it would reduce effectiveness, but I suppose they mount near the pivot point for minimal travel. Also the links pictured are so short that there is no sleeve in the middle--just a washer between the bushing sets. As for the shocks, I plan on loosening the bottom bolts and testing first. If needed, I will look for the KYBs.
Thanks
Thanks
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