revisiting rear sway bars May 30, 2018, 01:28:00 pm It has been a long time since I posted on this blog. However, I do have an additional question about the above subject. Despite that i already ordered my bushings etc. for replacement to reinstall the excisting swaybar I am still in doubt if i should upgrade to a heavy duty unit. Most of you who did the upgrades are towing, Although we did in the past, we do not any longer. For a while we carried a scooter on the back. We have passed that on to the grandkids and do not carry that either. We travel relatively light on weight and together in our 2001 MB with 95,000 miles on the odometer. Question; Is the extra weight and cost worth the upgrade or should I just replace the bushings etc. as planned. if I understood your article correctly I believe that you did not replace your bars but the bushings only, larry.Sorry about your engine problems, larry. i symphatize. I still remember my expense of over 6,000 dollars when my brake unit froze on the transmission shaft, requiring a new brake unit and transmission. Aad Rommelse
Re: revisiting rear sway bars Reply #1 – May 30, 2018, 02:40:46 pm Hello Aad. We posted the results of our rear Hellwig Sway Bar sometime last year at Hellwig Rear Sway Bar (Model: 7180) - Review . If you have any questions, I'm all ears!
Re: revisiting rear sway bars Reply #2 – May 30, 2018, 03:23:23 pm If you are happy with the existing handling, just change the bushing, preferably using polyurethane bushings.Most LD owner, who tow, do not upgrade the sway bars. I notice no difference in the sway when towing or notThere was a definite improvement with the installation of new bushings.Heavier sway bars will provide a rougher ride, not the ticket for today's damaged roads, IMO.Low buck suspension improvements for higher mileage LDsWorn shocks or loose and/or damaged shock bushing bushings can also contribute to sway.Check the shock bushings, particularly the top bushings on the front shocks.Maine Trip & Family Motor Coaching MagazineShock bushings | FlickrLarry
Re: revisiting rear sway bars Reply #3 – May 30, 2018, 04:05:49 pm Thanks Ed and Larry for your responses. Yes, I did read your article more than once, Ed. I just, like you in the past, had trouble making a decision. The fact that Larry did not upgrade confused me whether to upgrade or not. Larry, you were so right about the shock bushings. Some of the top ones of our Bilstein shocks are almost disintegrated and require replacement. Another lesson learned and back underneath our rig.Aad
Re: revisiting rear sway bars Reply #4 – May 31, 2018, 02:22:36 am Quote from: Aad Rommelse - May 30, 2018, 04:05:49 pmLarry, you were so right about the shock bushings. Some of the top ones of our Bilstein shocks are almost disintegrated and require replacement. Another lesson learned and back underneath our rig.The shock bushings need to be in good shape and tight if they are to do their job.The top stem bushings need to be very tight. Check the fronts regularly.The shock's bottom bushings can blow out too and are replaceable with inexpensive polyurethane bushings.Amazon.com: Energy Suspension 9.8107G 5/8" Hourglass Shock Eye Bushing:...Larry As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: revisiting rear sway bars Reply #5 – June 15, 2018, 11:45:29 am I have a 1982 22' Lazy Daze and I am currently looking at installing the 7180 Hellig Sway Bar. Unfortunately they only list as low as 1983 on the website (and per support). Does anyone have any experience with this product and older models?Thanks,John
Re: revisiting rear sway bars Reply #6 – June 15, 2018, 06:03:41 pm Quote from: crane557 - June 15, 2018, 11:45:29 amI have a 1982 22' Lazy Daze and I am currently looking at installing the 7180 Hellig Sway Bar. Unfortunately they only list as low as 1983 on the website (and per support). Does anyone have any experience with this product and older models?Hello John. I've called Hellig and visited with their technical support and sales. They've been remarkably helpful. I'm aware that they've actually manufactured sway bars for various RV when they were not in stock or unwise unable. Hope this helps. 1 Likes
Re: revisiting rear sway bars Reply #8 – June 16, 2018, 09:29:51 am helloon my 1999 I had replaced shocks with Bilstein's. bushing where shot as well as front shocks where worn out. and used road master front and rear sway bars and reflex steering stabilizer. it made a significant difference in the handling of rig. the sway was reduced both in cornering and in passing semi's on freeway. the steering was also noticeable different. it tracked much straighter. steering does have a little more resistance in wheel since it wants to return to center but got used to that quickly. also installed new tire and did alignment at same time. so as a package I couldn't be happier but don't know what result would have been with just the rear sway bar replacement.hope this help a bit 1 Likes
Re: revisiting rear sway bars Reply #9 – June 16, 2018, 02:55:27 pm "...but don't know what result would have been with just the rear sway bar replacement."Small incremental changes may not elicit any major felt response so I think you made the right choice. All's well that ends well, most times!