Anti-Sway bars questions

[Beardogfriend]

Very interested in upgrading front anti-sway bar and adding rear anti-sway bar. Seems like Hellwig is top-tier choice. Question for anyone who has done the upgrades:

After driving around for a while, have you noticed any squeaks, creaks or other noises related to the anti-sway bars? I’m assume the grease in the bushings does not last forever. Also, Did any other part of the vehicle develop noises, like inside the cab or anything?

Just curious before I pull the trigger

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[Snakebitten]

Added rear a few months ago.
Steeda
The grease they supplied was the stickiest I have ever come across.

It's been quiet as a mouse.
But if/when it starts to sqeak, it's getting another dose of that stuff.

I'd add the back before you go bigger in the front. You might still want to, but adding the rear is pretty transforming. Really plants the truck and the turn in sharpens up nicely.

 

[Dresdie]

Curious how sway bars like this impact towing. Separate from sway hitches, of course.

 

[Snakebitten]

Fantastic for towing.
Especially over undulations and road irregularities.

 

[Beardogfriend]

Added rear a few months ago.
Steeda
The grease they supplied was the stickiest I have ever come across.

It's been quiet as a mouse.
But if/when it starts to sqeak, it's getting another dose of that stuff.

I'd add the back before you go bigger in the front. You might still want to, but adding the rear is pretty transforming. Really plants the truck and the turn in sharpens up nicely.

Thanks for the input! Definitely looking to tighten up the handling. Not a huge fan of that body roll you feel, even through mild turning. My truck is a street truck and I want it to feel that way.

I had originally thought of just doing the rear but when looking at the kits online, you might as well order front and rear for the price. I think it’s $900 for the rear and $1200 for the pair, that’s the Hellwig, which seems to be the most stout. I also read somewhere that having both gives it a more balanced feel? But I’ve also read that the front one is a waste of money.

 

[Snakebitten]

I've put Helwig on 2 previous F150's.
I have no idea why they have basically doubled their price for the rear bar. It's literally the same kit as previous generation.

Someone here on the forum pointed me to the Steeda.
It's got nicer endlinks and was priced at what Helwig used to be.

I don't get it.

 

[Beardogfriend]

I've put Helwig on 2 previous F150's.
I have no idea why they have basically doubled their price for the rear bar. It's literally the same kit as previous generation.

Someone here on the forum pointed me to the Steeda.
It's got nicer endlinks and was priced at what Helwig used to be.

I don't get it.

I agree, pricing on everything in this world is ridiculous, that’s a different topic.

I am wanting a darker colored bar, the steeda looks like a light grey. I’ve heard of people painting/powdered coating them but then complaining of squeaking. I’ve looked into Belltech as well but it was not much cheaper than Hellwig.

 

[HammaMan]

I agree, pricing on everything in this world is ridiculous, that’s a different topic.

I am wanting a darker colored bar, the steeda looks like a light grey. I’ve heard of people painting/powdered coating them but then complaining of squeaking. I’ve looked into Belltech as well but it was not much cheaper than Hellwig.

Sway bars are a maint item. There's just no way to put a firm rubber compound in contact with steel without a lubricant. Tacky silicone based works the best as it hangs around the longest. The only draw back for them is high articulation off road being limited. Hit it w/ spray paint if you want a different color. Get the lowest priced bar you can and some paint. They're all going to perform the same.

 

[My 2ND Ford]

I installed the Hellwig bar on my 21 back when they were still reasonably priced. I probably have about 12000 miles since the install and have not had any noise from it. I too can't understand why the price doubled.

 

[Aron]

Very interested in upgrading front anti-sway bar and adding rear anti-sway bar. Seems like Hellwig is top-tier choice. Question for anyone who has done the upgrades:

After driving around for a while, have you noticed any squeaks, creaks or other noises related to the anti-sway bars? I’m assume the grease in the bushings does not last forever. Also, Did any other part of the vehicle develop noises, like inside the cab or anything?

Just curious before I pull the trigger

Thanks for starting the conversation--I've been meaning to do the same for a few weeks, and it just hasn't been at the top of my priority list to research enough to even know what questions to ask yet.

I'm watching this thread with interest.

Looks like anti-sway bars are only 30-40 lbs, so they shouldn't be a HUGE hit to payload, for those with that concern (like me).

 

[Snakebitten]

Some components return their Payload consumption investment back in Payload management prowess. Exponentially even.

Suspension upgrades can be the crown jewels of such ROI.

Half ton trucks are notorious for being able to carry a Payload that they can't do so with poise. Especially configured as they are from the manufacturer. Let's just say they don't come with the heavy duty truck's advantage of customer tolerance for ride characteristics.

If you are thoughtful, you can find a nice balance between the much better ride of an F150, but some increase in chassis composure under load.

On this current 157" Powerboost, I am very happy with the empty ride after adding the Sway Bar and RAS to the leafpak. If I didn't have CCD, I would have also thrown on some improved shocks/dampers on all 4 corners.

Admittedly I still haven't stressed the truck's chassis with a heavy load yet, but even empty it is so obvious how much better the chassis dynamics are. Especially over road irregularities and cornering.

These are such a nice trucks to start with.

 

[Graygoose2021]

Used Hellwigs on my recent Rams, I used a different grease then they sent, never heard a peep.

 

[mrtull]

@ AmericanTrucks.com, the Hellwig is 614.22
@Steeda.com, the Steeda is 499

From the description I can't see a difference other than color. Silver lining for me is that I never saw them at a lower price so, to me, the price started here! When I do one, it will be Steeda.

 

[Aron]

Admittedly I still haven't stressed the truck's chassis with a heavy load yet, but even empty it is so obvious how much better the chassis dynamics are. Especially over road irregularities and cornering.

In the 4 months that I've owned my truck, I've maxed out the 1800lb payload a handful of times. It always surprises me how much better it drives with that type of load than I would expect it to. And at a much better fuel economy while doing it (25-26 mpg!). It's a really impressive truck!

 

[Eskram]

I literally just got done installing the Steeda rear sway bar and went for a drive. It only took about an hr, and I was really taking my time. Didn't need to lift it at all; I was able to do everything with the truck on the ground.

The truck feels planted, less roll, and it might just be placebo effect, but turn-in seems way better too. It's no Ferrari for sure, but totally worth the investment. It's a very noticeable difference.

I went for a quick drive, no noises, squeaking or anything that made me think it's going to fall off. ?

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