Problem Solved: Hellwig Sway Bar on an Early A....problem

-

sgrip65

66 Dart GT 273, 65 Dart GT 273 HiPo
FABO Gold Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2018
Messages
778
Reaction score
438
Location
Minnesota
Members. Has anyone had difficulty in installing the 63 to 66 Early A body Hellwig Front Sway Bar Hellwig Part Number 55914. I installed one on my 65 Dart GT Charger Clone, and this car has a stock front K-Frame and suspension. Nothing changed or unusual on the front suspension build. However, the directions show that the hanging bracket, on either side of the car, hangs vertically. When I installed mine, the coined ends of the sway bar connect to the hanging bracket at about 10 to 15 degrees outward at the bottom of the hanger. With this, the steering knuckle hits the end of the sway bar, on both sides, when turning the wheel lock to lock. I had the hangar installed, but I removed it due to this situation. Pic 002 shows the offset where the hanger rod would have to slant outward to make this work......unlike the illustration in the directions showing the black angle hanger bracket straight up from the end of the sway bar. This assembly is offset by, about, 1.5 to two inches. I did contact Hellwig, but their tech is out, and I contacted Classic Industries where I bought the sway bar as well. Any experience out there on this situation? Thanks. sgrip65

Helwig Sway Bar 001.JPG


Helwig Sway Bar 002.JPG
 
It looks like the sway bar would be perfectly aligned if you were using 65-72 LCAs with the factory sway bar tab. Could the wrong bracket been included in the kit?
 
It looks like the sway bar would be perfectly aligned if you were using 65-72 LCAs with the factory sway bar tab. Could the wrong bracket been included in the kit?

Hi Don. In looking at the directions, the sway bar hanging bracket included in the kit calls for the bracket to be mounted to the lower shock bolt. With this said, and in looking at the directions, the coined end of the sway bar should rest directly below the hole in the bracket; however, the coined end of the sway bar, on both ends, is within a no clearance zone with regard to the steering knuckle when turning the wheel. I am in touch with Hellwig and Classic Industries where I bought the unit, so we will see what they have to say. I was just curious if any other members had a similar experience. In looking at the clearance, and in viewing Hellwig's illustrations, I am of the opinion that, possibly, the wrong bar was packaged in the kit, but I will find out and post the answer.....just my thoughts. Could be that I am not seeing things within the directions clearly....happens sometimes. Thanks. sgrip65
 
I would like to see you use the factory Weld On lower control arm brackets for the sway bar and mount the sway bar above the mount like Ma Mopar does it from the factory. Hellwig has it upside down with that easy bolt on shock mount bracket.

Summit sells the factory style weld on brackets, along with ebay has them too.

Photos here of 1967 Dart factory front sway bar.

67sway4.jpg


67sway3.jpg


67sway.jpg




67sway2.jpg


Center of the front sway bar goes over the lower radiator support bracket too.

67sway5.jpg
 
I would like to see you use the factory Weld On lower control arm brackets for the sway bar and mount the sway bar above the mount like Ma Mopar does it from the factory. Hellwig has it upside down with that easy bolt on shock mount bracket.

Summit sells the factory style weld on brackets, along with ebay has them too.

Photos here of 1967 Dart factory front sway bar.

View attachment 1715365062

View attachment 1715365063

View attachment 1715365064



View attachment 1715365072

Center of the front sway bar goes over the lower radiator support bracket too.

View attachment 1715365076

Thank you for taking your time to add some input to my questions. Much appreciated. sgrip65
 
Thank you for taking your time to add some input to my questions. Much appreciated. sgrip65

Apparently, I did not have the hanging rod tightened adequately. By tightening further, this raised the coined end of the sway bar above the steering knuckle. Hope this works. Still confused on the illustration hanging rod being vertical in the installation instructions and the angled rod in the results of my installation. These are shown in the enclosed pics. Thanks for the responses. sgrip65

Hellwig 65 Dart GT Front Sway Bar 002.JPG


Hellwig 65 Dart GT Front Sway Bar 003.JPG


Hellwig 65 Dart GT Front Sway Bar 004.JPG


Hellwig 65 Dart GT Front Sway Bar 005.JPG
 
I think the only way to get the geometry close is do as George Jets suggested.
My recollection is the track was increased an inch or two with next generation ('67 - '76) of the platform.
 
i know this post is old. bought the hellwig kit last year (same part number) and installed it last weekend. i thought the end links to the sway bar would be vertical like the photo from their instructions. it mounted great its just that extreme angle the end links end up looking parallel to the shocks. seems like there will be a lot of stress on the bushings.
 
I just installed mine today. Same thing with mine if the shock bracket is not parallel with the shock the bottom end link hits the strut rod. I have to re adjust mine tomorrow. I think if I move it just a hair more (parallel to shock) I'll get a hair more clearance.

IMG_1784.jpeg


IMG_1785.jpeg


IMG_1777.jpeg
 
I just installed mine today. Same thing with mine if the shock bracket is not parallel with the shock the bottom end link hits the strut rod. I have to re adjust mine tomorrow. I think if I move it just a hair more (parallel to shock) I'll get a hair more clearance.

View attachment 1716213237

View attachment 1716213238

View attachment 1716213239Yours looks better than mine. One of the previous posts show the end links almost parallel with the shock. Those lower bushings will get chewed up. I’m waiting on a call/email back from hellwig. He told they were having someone install one this past weekend to check the fit.

IMG_7492.jpeg
 
Carmen how did you get your so far from the strut rod?? I messed and messed with mine and the PS still touches the washer. DS has 1/16 at best. And I put it inline with the shock.
 
Carmen how did you get your so far from the strut rod?? I messed and messed with mine and the PS still touches the washer. DS has 1/16 at best. And I put it inline with the shock.
I’ve got an email into hellwig. Waiting on them. The brother has 65 b body and his sway bar endlinks are just about vertical. I’m thinking this is the wrong bar the end link holes are 44” apart center to center. I can’t get the nuts on the endlinks without a floor Jack.
 
Carmen you have the #5906? My tube for end links are 3 1/4’’ long. Seems like if they were a little long they could’ve been straight up and down and away from strut rod.
 
Carmen you have the #5906? My tube for end links are 3 1/4’’ long. Seems like if they were a little long they could’ve been straight up and down and away from strut rod.
No part #55914. For early a body. Just want the measurement from hellwig seems like they’re holding back from giving me that info.
 
68 I was able to put 1/4 in. spacer so now my link tube is 3 1/2 and that puts the end links just above the LCA and 1/4 away from strut rod. Kevin at Hellwig is sending me a 4 1/2 tube with new bolt and that will put everything just below the LCA.
Pic is with no spacer.

IMG_1786.jpeg
 
68 I was able to put 1/4 in. spacer so now my link tube is 3 1/2 and that puts the end links just above the LCA and 1/4 away from strut rod. Kevin at Hellwig is sending me a 4 1/2 tube with new bolt and that will put everything just below the LCA.
Pic is with no spacer.

View attachment 1716215928
That’s what mine looked like. How your endlinks run parallel to the shock. The pic in the directions for an early a body have the endlinks vertical. I cant imagine that an early a body has the same width as a later a body. And I’m dealing with Kevin from hellwig as well. He told he had someone installing one on an a body last weekend and would get back to me via email.
 
-
Back
Top