First TRX with a rear swaybar!!! Handles amazing!!!

Superbrowndude · Jun 13, 2021

Got mine on and it's fantastic!

cortc · Jun 14, 2021

Two said:
Finally got a chance to install one, and here are a couple of observations while I remember.

Most importantly, if using the black sleeves in the upper link mounts, those sleeves are much too short.
That would help explain why someone had one come loose earlier. The bolts can't be tightened correctly, especially with washers, to keep the sleeve under pressure.
I'll have to dig into my collection of sleeves, or make some, but that has to be fixed.

Haven't verified that the back half of the collar on the left side of the bar clears yet, but if there's interference it'll only take very minor grinding/filing to create enough space. That's if they are positioned parallel to the axle bracket in the first place.
Either way, there sure doesn't seem to be a need for spacers, and corresponding longer bolts to get proper thread engagement.

Lastly, since I didn't get any lube (typical of my luck). I called and asked what Hellwig uses since not all lubes and poly bushings are compatible.
Very much unlike my luck, the SuperLube tube I had already pulled out from the cabinet, based on what polyurethane bushing lube should consist of, is exactly what they supply.

Use the same silver spacers they provide and specified in the instructions for the top and bottom regardless of the end links threaded portion location. The black spacers do not apply to our trucks.

If the play of the 10mm bolt within the spacer bothers you a wrap of metallic tape to increase the diameter will solve that.

Jester · Jun 14, 2021

Would be cool of Hellwig would jump on and tell us exactly what they are thinking and what should be used.

Two · Jun 14, 2021

cortc said:
Use the same silver spacers they provide and specified in the instructions for the top and bottom regardless of the end links threaded portion location. The black spacers do not apply to our trucks.

If the play of the 10mm bolt within the spacer bothers you a wrap of metallic tape to increase the diameter will solve that.

Despite having well over 100 sleeves to pick from, I didn't find a single one (let alone four, as I'm doing this for two vehicles) that was the correct length (a bit longer than the silver ones) and with a 10 mm ID.

Having the bolt "float" in the sleeve and/or wrapping the bolt with something would be what I'd expect from a shop, but I'd rather do it right. Or at least more right.

Ideally the rod ends would be at the bottom of the links, where there's much more rotational movement, but for now I'll try with them only on top.
At some point I may very well go to the far more common 5/8" rod ends and sleeve them down to 10 mm and 7/16" respectively.

Bambi · Jun 14, 2021

Put this on. Middle setting. Rougher ride on washboard/bumps but way way less body roll and less understeer.

TReX-RAM · Jun 14, 2021

Jester said:
Would be cool of Hellwig would jump on and tell us exactly what they are thinking and what should be used.

Do they even know that we exist??

Two · Jun 15, 2021

Figured I'd see what could be improved on the lower end of the links while waiting for parts. The included sleeve is too short to allow the sleeve to turn somewhat freely in the bushing.

When taking a link off, I noticed that the holes in the bar are 1/2-inch, not 7/16 like the bolts. That's one place I do not want any potential movement, so dug out a pair of 1/2"x3" bolts. Lucked out and found two 0.5x0.625x1.48 sleeves (P/N 54314) that are perfect. And at $0.99 a piece, also affordable.

Will use fine thread bolts because I have lots of Nylock nuts, but coarse will obviously work fine, too.
Also, I'll use regular washers as what comes with shock kits, but the thick included ones are 1/2-inch so no need to get any other washers, really.

Anyway, the test fit with a sleeve of the correct length resulted in exactly what I wanted - the link can now turn without binding, much like a shock.

Two · Jun 18, 2021

Got the parts and pieces for completing the links. Had to take a few thousands off the OD of the sleeves to make them a light press fit in the rod ends, and it would've probably been smarter to get 5/8-inch sleeves and ream out the ID to fit the 10 mm bolt.

At this point I regret getting everything to make a duplicate set of links. Pretty sure I'll make the second set with rod ends top and bottom, not using anything of the included links as this is still a bit of a compromise. A much better working compromise, but still.

thetasigma1186 · Jun 21, 2021

KnightMare said:
Make sure you guys check your bolts for your upper endlinks. Mine came out on one side. Quick trip to Lowes and its fixed.

View attachment 14280

I saw this post a few weeks back and had not checked mine out. Oops! I started hearing a small knock when I stopped and started. Crawled underneath and YUP, lost my bolt and washer! Glad I had a spare. I reinstalled and will use some loctite this week to make sure they stay on. Does anyone know what torque should be applied? I have it tight but don't want to kill the rubber bushing!

STRADALE · Jun 21, 2021

thetasigma1186 · Jun 21, 2021

STRADALE said:
View attachment 15640

Thanks! Who reads those!?

KnightMare · Jun 21, 2021

thetasigma1186 said:
I saw this post a few weeks back and had not checked mine out. Oops! I started hearing a small knock when I stopped and started. Crawled underneath and YUP, lost my bolt and washer! Glad I had a spare. I reinstalled and will use some loctite this week to make sure they stay on. Does anyone know what torque should be applied? I have it tight but don't want to kill the rubber bushing!

I check mine every time I wash my truck and mine still holding strong.

I didn't think it would start to be a science project by everyone to install their sway bar.
@Bambi I need you to bedazzle yours so it'll stand out and raise the bar

Two · Jun 21, 2021

The problem is that the included sleeves are too short for the polyurethane bushing, so the bolt really can't be torqued correctly.

If using the black sleeves as recommended, while the ID fits the bolt correctly, they are way too short.
Using the gray sleeves isn't much better. They're still too short, and the ID is too large for the 10 mm bolt.

Get some 10 mm ID, 16 mm OD sleeves, about 35 mm long. Then you can torque the bolts down and the sleeve ends up under compression. Just like it's supposed to be.

LordExplorer · Jun 21, 2021

I keep seeing these collars in peoples pics and PDFs but mine did not come with them. WTF?? I didn’t get the kit but the two separate item SKUs. Were these supposed to be in there @Johnny@JustBoltOns ? What do they do? Problem not having them on?

Johnny@JustBoltOns · Jun 21, 2021

LordExplorer said:
I keep seeing these collars in peoples pics and PDFs but mine did not come with them. WTF?? I didn’t get the kit but the two separate item SKUs. Were these supposed to be in there @Johnny@JustBoltOns ? What do they do? Problem not having them on?
View attachment 15656

That is very odd, should've been included in the kit from understanding. Shoot me over an email and I'll get Hellwig involved.

TReX-RAM · Jun 21, 2021

Johnny@JustBoltOns said:
That is very odd, should've been included in the kit from understanding. Shoot me over an email and I'll get Hellwig involved.

I thought the collars only came with the kit. I did not receive them either...I bought the two separate SKU's (bar & links).

Johnny@JustBoltOns · Jun 21, 2021

LordExplorer said:
I keep seeing these collars in peoples pics and PDFs but mine did not come with them. WTF?? I didn’t get the kit but the two separate item SKUs. Were these supposed to be in there @Johnny@JustBoltOns ? What do they do? Problem not having them on?
View attachment 15656

TReX-RAM said:
I thought the collars only came with the kit. I did not receive them either...I bought the two separate SKU's (bar & links).

Just reconfirmed with them, only included with the lift sway bar kits, not sure when that changed though.

Justbob · Jun 21, 2021

I ordered the two separate kits. How do I order the collars?

Tom488 · Jun 21, 2021

LordExplorer said:
What do they do? Problem not having them on?

They prevent excess lateral movement of the sway bar. It's really not that big of a deal to not have them, as there's not a lot of movement the bar could make without them. Truthfully, a couple of hose clamps would probably do the same job. I've had my sway bar installed for a little over a month now, with no clamps, and there's been no issues.

Johnny@JustBoltOns · Jun 21, 2021

Hey guys! I just spoke to Kevin @ Hellwig. Anyone who has ordered the 2 separate kits from us and didn't receive the collars with the sway bar, he will ship them out for you at NO charge! Just shoot him over a quick email with your address. Kevin@hellwigproducts.com