Rear Sway Bar

FROM FIBERGLASS MONOLEAFS TO AIR BAGS, STOCK HEIGHT TO BODY SLAMMED, EVERYTHING EXCEPT LIFTS GO HERE.
Post Reply
User avatar

Topic author
meetthespeakers
I sleep in my van
Posts: 334
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:01 pm
Location: Vienna, VA
Contact:

Rear Sway Bar

Post by meetthespeakers »

I did a search on the old board and on here, and my question is which is the best rear sway bar to go with, and why? I remember someone stating that a certain brand mounted higher than the others. Hellwig or addco? This is gonna be going on a 98 AWD, and is there anything I should be concerned about if it has a flip kit in the future? Thanks guys.
Image
1993 Astro, 1973 Austin Mini Clubman Estate, 1980 Trabant, 1961 Morris Minor

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: Rear Sway Bar

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

The Hellwig mounts on top of the axle. I think the Addco mounts below. With the Hellwig bar, you can just go with shorter end links when you lower the van.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
User avatar

Topic author
meetthespeakers
I sleep in my van
Posts: 334
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:01 pm
Location: Vienna, VA
Contact:

Re: Rear Sway Bar

Post by meetthespeakers »

Shorter endlinks? What would the implications be for the addco one? Is it just looks or will it scrap on the ground when lowered and mounted below?
Image
1993 Astro, 1973 Austin Mini Clubman Estate, 1980 Trabant, 1961 Morris Minor
User avatar

LaGrasta
I sleep in my van
Posts: 724
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:07 pm
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: Rear Sway Bar

Post by LaGrasta »

I don't know what brand I have, but it mounts under the axle. I am so pleased with it. It made a huge difference in body roll and to my surprise, a huge difference in bounce.
1998 Astro, 246,000 miles

K&N air filter
TruCool trans cooler
2" Overland lift & 15" BFG Terrain, 3.73 gears
JET Performance SCU-2000 (Speed Control Unit)
Gabriel Ultra shocks, rear AirLift bags & sway bar
Draw-Tite Dual Port Hitch System, hitch-mounted bike rack (4), hitch-mounted cargo tray, Thule roof-mounted cargo box
User avatar

Topic author
meetthespeakers
I sleep in my van
Posts: 334
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:01 pm
Location: Vienna, VA
Contact:

Re: Rear Sway Bar

Post by meetthespeakers »

Does anyone know which one would be the easiest way to go with a flip kit? Or does it even matter? :whistle:
Image
1993 Astro, 1973 Austin Mini Clubman Estate, 1980 Trabant, 1961 Morris Minor
User avatar

kings-x59
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 1374
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:50 pm
Location: Cypress, Tx

Re: Rear Sway Bar

Post by kings-x59 »

Well it might. If the van is lowered, the distance between the body and the axle has been reduced. With the sway bar on the top side there's the potential for interference. Assuming the outside tire diameter is the same as stock, or close thereto, the distance from the bottom of the axle to the road doesn't change, the sway bar on the bottom might be better. My Belltech sway bar mounts on the bottom of the axle. It came with 10" end links for a stock ride height, and 7" end link bolts for a lowered van. Very thoughtfull of them I thought.
'89 Astro, 4.3L, TBI. Minor intake and exhaust mods. Rebuilt 700R4 trans (by me). Corvette servo, 0.5" boost valve, police grade 1-2 accumulator spring (shifts fast and solid). B&M stacked plate trans cooler. Bilstein shocks. Belltech sway bars front and back. New head unit, speakers and subwoofer. Needs paint and a new headliner.

name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
User avatar

WVKayaker
I sleep in my van
Posts: 427
Joined: Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:30 pm
Location: Bowie, MD
Contact:

Re: Rear Sway Bar

Post by WVKayaker »

Ordered today!

Qty SKU Product Name Unit Price

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 7534 Hellwig Anti-Sway Bar - Rear
Unshipped
$159.43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SubTotal: $159.43
Tax: $0.00
Shipping: $16.08
UPS Ground
Handling: $0.00
Grand Total: $175.51
1999 AWD Astro purchased January 2007
2" Overland Vans Lift Kit, Add-a-Leaf, Shackles, Torsion Bars Cranked 1"
AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery w/Isolator
Helwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
Auburn Gear Pro Series Limited-Slip Differential
BFG AT KO 235/75/15
Cragar Nomad I Wheels

Dearly Departed 1990 RWD Shorty owned since day one.
Sold Feb 2007 with 193k miles.

Image
User avatar

Topic author
meetthespeakers
I sleep in my van
Posts: 334
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:01 pm
Location: Vienna, VA
Contact:

Re: Rear Sway Bar

Post by meetthespeakers »

Awesome, I ended up ordering a belltech one last week, should be in any day now. I also ordered some 2.5 drop leaf springs, 18" rims, rear shocks, super sport mirrors, and a volant intake... Now I need to cut my credit card up. :rolleyes:
Image
1993 Astro, 1973 Austin Mini Clubman Estate, 1980 Trabant, 1961 Morris Minor
User avatar

LaGrasta
I sleep in my van
Posts: 724
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:07 pm
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: Rear Sway Bar

Post by LaGrasta »

Wow, you're not messing around! How about a few before and after pics?
1998 Astro, 246,000 miles

K&N air filter
TruCool trans cooler
2" Overland lift & 15" BFG Terrain, 3.73 gears
JET Performance SCU-2000 (Speed Control Unit)
Gabriel Ultra shocks, rear AirLift bags & sway bar
Draw-Tite Dual Port Hitch System, hitch-mounted bike rack (4), hitch-mounted cargo tray, Thule roof-mounted cargo box
User avatar

Topic author
meetthespeakers
I sleep in my van
Posts: 334
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:01 pm
Location: Vienna, VA
Contact:

Re: Rear Sway Bar

Post by meetthespeakers »

Should I make one thread with all the new gear when I get it? It would be easier for me. Big Blue V2?
Image
1993 Astro, 1973 Austin Mini Clubman Estate, 1980 Trabant, 1961 Morris Minor
User avatar

st4s
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 2:34 pm
Location: Berlin, Germany

Re: Rear Sway Bar

Post by st4s »

Can anyone tell from the pic, if the Hellwig bar is liekly to interfere with the liquid gas tank installed....?
tankbefestigung2 (Small).JPG
-Frank-
ImageImageImage
07 Dodge Nitro SLT, LPG, 93l propane tank
06 Moto Morini Corsaro 1200
94 Astro AWD 2" Overland Lift, LPG, 95l propane tank
93 Honda VFR750
82 Vespa 135cc

Berlin, Germany
User avatar

LaGrasta
I sleep in my van
Posts: 724
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:07 pm
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: Rear Sway Bar

Post by LaGrasta »

My guess is no.
1998 Astro, 246,000 miles

K&N air filter
TruCool trans cooler
2" Overland lift & 15" BFG Terrain, 3.73 gears
JET Performance SCU-2000 (Speed Control Unit)
Gabriel Ultra shocks, rear AirLift bags & sway bar
Draw-Tite Dual Port Hitch System, hitch-mounted bike rack (4), hitch-mounted cargo tray, Thule roof-mounted cargo box
User avatar

AquaAngel
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 148
Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2011 9:48 pm
Location: Nanaimo, Bc, Canada

Re: Rear Sway Bar

Post by AquaAngel »

ANy advise on those that have a lift and a Hitch? i wouldn't mind to have a rear Sway bar on my Baby. the 2" lift was a great idea to work on the van in the near future, but not to great when it is time to take some turn and all.

Thanks
93 Astro Van army blue [V8/350/5.7L]
------------

Chevy owned:
93 Astro cargo Van "Phantom Rebel"
98 GMC Safari AWD
09 GMC C5500 6.6L, Duramax "3 ton truck"
User avatar

doyoulikeithere
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 2060
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:27 pm
Location: Misty Mountains of Cowichan BC.

Re: Rear Sway Bar

Post by doyoulikeithere »

A sway bar should help.
How did you get 2" lift at the back end?
Are you using your old used fiber-leafs with lift shackles?
Just using NEW steel springs to get the lift, did away with a lot of rear handling issues for me.
But, A swaybar will def help too.
Are you worried that it wont fit with a lift, and a hitch?
Cant see why it wouldn't go on. Others here have that setup.
I have a hitch and a stock sway bar on my GT. Not lifted though.
BTW, I see the reflection of a real nice GT, on your van, in that pic !!
When you gonna beef that GT up?? It should have a stock sway bar too, like mine. Pix Pix Pix...
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.

algopin
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:11 am

Re: Rear Sway Bar

Post by algopin »

I heartily recommend the Helwig rear sway bar. A full size OEM spare on my rig did not prevent its installation. My 2002 AWD is fitted with Bilsteins, front and rear, but the improvement in cornering with the bar installed was nonetheless remarkable. High speed handling was moderately improved, while the van's resistance to crosswinds was marginal. If you have a hitch fitted to your van it may interfere with the installation of the bar, which apparently uses the same holes in the frame for mounting.
You will not be disappointed.
Post Reply