Cheap Handling Fix

[trainsktg]

I thought about notching them but in the end just kept them off. I haven't had any issues so far. In the end, I might go with the longer links and reinstall them, but its not my radar yet.

Keith

[Dunner]

Leave them off. Mine didn't come with lower Z brackets.

[Richard S.]

This is what the z brackets are for.

http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/949...les/041102.pdf

[bdickson]

Originally Posted by Dunner

Because the Ford bolts don't go into the Hellwig sleeves. Use the Hellwig rubber bushings with the Ford sleeves.

Ok, now I'm even more confused. The Hellwig kit comes with nuts, bolts, sleeves, bushings and arms. Why wouldn't I install all Hellwig parts? Or are the Hellwig bolts the wrong size for the holes on the sway bar?

[Horseshoe]

Originally Posted by bdickson

Ok, now I'm even more confused. The Hellwig kit comes with nuts, bolts, sleeves, bushings and arms. Why wouldn't I install all Hellwig parts? Or are the Hellwig bolts the wrong size for the holes on the sway bar?

Yes they are too small. I pressed out the Helwig sleeves, pressed in the Ford ones and reused the Ford hardware. It works great.

[Pirate]

I used the Hellwig bushings as they are shaped to match the Hellwig ends. Ford bushings are not shaped the same way. I wanted to use the Ford hardware (nuts/bolts) as there are millings in the arms for the nuts. My Hellwigs did not come with anything put together. I used the Ford sleeves and Ford nuts/bolts with the Hellwig links. This way I won't have to hunt around for different size sockets and wrenches if I have to change things back. They installed easily, except the one near the a/c compressor, but if did install without moving anything around. I will test drive maybe tomorrow. My driveway is steep so pulling out onto the level road will be a good test for something to snap. If it doesn't do it here, I don't think it will anywhere.

[Towertime]

I too used the Ford sleeves and hardware with the Hellwig links and bushings. My test drive was about a 600 mile round trip to Florida and back for the July 4th holiday. No issues and the mod worked great for me!

[clyon51]

I'm still using all stock components and have about 4000 mi on the fix and certainly no problems. I know John McKindley didn't use longer links and I'll guess he has 10,000 mi. John?

I didn't like the new angle when I was finished, but no real physics reasons to be concerned. I did vote I may add longer links. But I'm really curious what those of you who used longer links based your decision on.

[alhardy48]

Originally Posted by Richard S.

This is what the z brackets are for.

http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/949...les/041102.pdf

Thanks for the post. The PDF gives the torque specs for the bolts.

[cb1000rider]

Originally Posted by clyon51

I didn't like the new angle when I was finished, but no real physics reasons to be concerned. I did vote I may add longer links. But I'm really curious what those of you who used longer links based your decision on.

What year is yours? There are real changes to the physics here, including the shorter lever arm - both due to using the inside sway bar holes and more due to moving the sway bar up... It'd be more appropriate to use longer links.

I appreciate the link above for info on the Z-brackets. On the 99 they cannot be installed without notching.

I haven't driven mine yet, but with all the feedback on how well this works, I'm not terribly concerned.

[Dunner]

Like I posted, my `04 didn't come with lower Z brackets on the front. I was able to reverse them on the rear.

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by cb1000rider

I appreciate the link above for info on the Z-brackets. On the 99 they cannot be installed without notching.

Should be able to put them back on, if you buy the adjustable links . Thats my plan.
Question...... on a 18,000 lb chassis, where the sway bar goes over top of the diff, are the adjustable links needed?

[clyon51]

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

Should be able to put them back on, if you buy the adjustable links . Thats my plan.
Question...... on a 18,000 lb chassis, where the sway bar goes over top of the diff, are the adjustable links needed?

On my '99 with over the pig sway bar, I used all stock parts. I had Z brackets front and rear. No noticable change in geometry in the rear. No problem with Z brackets front or rear and they were all re-used. It's as if Ford designed this system to be adjustable.

[alhardy48]

I decided to move my sway bar links this weekend after recieving my new poly bushings. Thought it would be an easy task, however, the old bushings were melted to the sway bar, axle and mounting bracket. The old rubber bushings were like a heavy tar, almost liquid. Installing the bushings was easy after the cleaning. Changing the link holes was very easy on the rear. Then I decided to do the front links next. Had all the nuts unscrewed and the z-brackets removed then I discovered that the longer bolt would not clear the leaf spring to get it out (same on both sides). I will get a bottle jack next weekend and push the front sway bar down about 1/4" to remove the bolts. Looking forward for next trip to test this mod out. I know the new bushings will definetely help.