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Jerry_Amerson's avatar
Jerry_Amerson
Explorer
May 07, 2017

1991 Ford E-350 28' Fleetwood - Rear Swaybar Question

I took your advice about the link arm bushings for the front and am replacing them with Moog, arm and bushings. I saw bushings for the rear sway bar but when I checked my rig out it doesn't have a rear sway bar. I did some research and found the Hellwig Model 7085 swaybar for the rear, and although it's pricey I'm thinking that it might be worth the money, $350.
My question is have any of you installed a Hellwig swaybar on the rear of your RV, and how much of an improvement did it give you?

By the way, my end link bushings were totally shot so I'm sure the Moog will make a big difference.

Thanks for all your help guys.
Jerry
Class C
  • ksg5000's avatar
    ksg5000
    Explorer
    May 08, 2017
    I have 91 Fleetwood Jamboree - I didn't add swaybar but did replace the OEM shocks with Bilstein's - new shocks and alignment made a huge difference in handling.
  • Naio's avatar
    Naio
    Explorer II
    May 08, 2017
    I put a Helwig on my small van (not an E350, so YMMV) and was disappointed. It didn't seem to make any difference. Other people with my same model van thought it was great.

    What helped me a lot were custom leaf springs.
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    May 08, 2017
    Search around this forum a little. ron.dittmer just posted a reply to a sway bar question post and pointed out how much improvement adding a sway bar provided. This was on a smallish Class C, and the E350 chassis did not originally have a sway bar.

    I'd venture that the Longer and the Higher a Motorhome is, the more helpful sway bars front and rear will be.

    Saw it HERE for $288.
  • Jerry_Amerson's avatar
    Jerry_Amerson
    Explorer
    May 09, 2017
    Hey guys,
    I want to thank you for your help, and finding that price for me. When I finish installing the new front end links from Moog I will drive it and report the difference in handling, and then will do the same thing after installing the rear sway bar. I've researched the rear sway bar and it's suppose to really help on this 28' box that didn't have an original factory one.

    Thanks again,
    Jerry
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    May 10, 2017
    You will see real improvement with front POLY Bushings, since 1991 is the last year Ford used End Links on E-Series front sway bars until 2008. On our 1983 E350, there was no rear sway bar and we did not add one. I did add "repair leaves" to the rear spring packs because they were sagging so badly. But a "hard" end link rebuild kit (got mine from NAPA) made a BIG difference in the handling and tracking of the coach.

    The "Old" E-Series with Sguared-Off Cab, Kingpin Front Axle and End Link Sway Bar, handles MUCH better than the "New" 1992 and later ones. Do those Sway Bar Mods and Additions. You'll be VERY pleased!
  • Jerry_Amerson's avatar
    Jerry_Amerson
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2017
    Hey guys, got the Hellrig rear sway installed...welded the end link brackets cause their mount looked weak and my frame holes didn't line up. Just got back for the races in Ft. Worth and I will tell you all that my rig drove a lot better and held the road better. Even in the head wind we had coming home and dealing with the 18 wheelers. It was well worth the investment to me!! I've had this 28' Fleetwood for three years now and this is the best it's ever handled, not as good as my truck but very driveable.
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Jun 12, 2017
    Jerry Amerson wrote:
    ...I will tell you all that my rig drove a lot better and held the road better. Even in the head wind we had coming home and dealing with the 18 wheelers. It was well worth the investment to me!! I've had this 28' Fleetwood for three years now and this is the best it's ever handled...


    Glad it worked out. I was confident it would. Thanks for the update.

    Looky! Another satisfied customer!

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