Hellwig vs Hotchkis sway bars and how hard to install

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

rdhogg

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2011
Posts
491
Reaction score
1,246
Location
Houston
You won't be disappointed. I just installed mine and they make a HUGE difference. The front bar is HEAVY, so you may need a jack or a second set of hands to lift and hold it in place, until you have secured the 2 U-brackets.
Thanks for the heads up on being heavy. It'll have to be a jack in my case.
 

rdhogg

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2011
Posts
491
Reaction score
1,246
Location
Houston
You won't be disappointed. I just installed mine and they make a HUGE difference. The front bar is HEAVY, so you may need a jack or a second set of hands to lift and hold it in place, until you have secured the 2 U-brackets.
I just noticed that you in stalled a couple of 8" light bars under the rear bumper for additional back up lighting. Could you post some pictures of how you mounted them and where did you tie into the back-up lighting wiring. I have put CREE LED bulbs in but it still does not give the light I want for backing up. Thanks for your help
 

Joseph Garcia

Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
7,352
Reaction score
9,939
I was just looking at the installation instructions and it said that if you have a 6 speed tranny that you will need Spacer Kit 7799 to provide clearance for the tran cooling lines. Did you run into that issue Thanks


Hellwig's instructions say that if you have the 6 speed transmission, you need to install the spacers. But, their instructions also apply to GMC/Chevy pickup trucks, as well, so the spacers may be specifically needed for those vehicles. While upon visual inspection, the Hellwig sway bar did not seem to be in danger of contacting the transmission cooling lines (though the truck was not in a position where the middle of the sway bar was at it highest travel apex), I installed the spacers on my truck anyway, just in case, as I did not want to chance having crushed transmission cooling lines.
 

Joseph Garcia

Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
7,352
Reaction score
9,939
I just noticed that you in stalled a couple of 8" light bars under the rear bumper for additional back up lighting. Could you post some pictures of how you mounted them and where did you tie into the back-up lighting wiring. I have put CREE LED bulbs in but it still does not give the light I want for backing up. Thanks for your help

I had the same issue. I put a good set of LED backup lights in backup light sockets, and while much improved over stock filament light bulbs, it was still not nearly enough for me to easily navigate my driveway in the dark.

Photos:

Light attachment setup:

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...backing-up-to-see-better.111002/#post-1329194

Light bar light pattern:

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/what-is-this-button-solved.120958/page-9
 

Russ Giles

TYF Newbie
Joined
Feb 3, 2021
Posts
11
Reaction score
14
Just installed front and rear Hotchkis Sway bars and Moog sway bar links on my 2015 GMC Yukon XL Denali. Bought the complete front and rear kit which did not say in the description but included basic front sway bar links in the box.
Old rear bar was looking aged and sway bar links were showing some rust.
Quality fit and finish with zerk fitting to lube the rubber bushings and rear lower sway link ball joint. Install was straight forward except the supplied bolts were short and used an allen key which does allow for higher torque, so after trial and error I reused the OEM bolts with the supplied washers.
Feels better with less body lean.
Just because a one company says they have a solid bar does not make it stiffer than a hollow bar. Stiffness is a function of the metal blend, and the hardening process. a solid block of cheese is still cheese. If the the hollow bar is hardened and shaped properly it will be stronger and more stiff at less weight.
 

rdhogg

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2011
Posts
491
Reaction score
1,246
Location
Houston
Just installed front and rear Hotchkis Sway bars and Moog sway bar links on my 2015 GMC Yukon XL Denali. Bought the complete front and rear kit which did not say in the description but included basic front sway bar links in the box.
Old rear bar was looking aged and sway bar links were showing some rust.
Quality fit and finish with zerk fitting to lube the rubber bushings and rear lower sway link ball joint. Install was straight forward except the supplied bolts were short and used an allen key which does allow for higher torque, so after trial and error I reused the OEM bolts with the supplied washers.
Feels better with less body lean.
Just because a one company says they have a solid bar does not make it stiffer than a hollow bar. Stiffness is a function of the metal blend, and the hardening process. a solid block of cheese is still cheese. If the the hollow bar is hardened and shaped properly it will be stronger and more stiff at less weight.
Thanks for the review, I had ADDCO bars ordered from SDTruck Springs but the delivery was out in June, canceled it and ordered Hellwig , should be here 4/13, Rear bar has new Links( don't know if they have zerk fittings or not)but needed to order Mevotech TTX replacement links for the front.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,371
Posts
1,866,909
Members
96,997
Latest member
jonestheclem
Top