Great difficulty changing Front Sway Bar
I have a 2015 Ford E450 and was going to upgrade the front sway bar with a Helwig. I watched a Youtube video and it seemed simple enough, 2 bolts on the end and 2 brackets held with 2 bolts. But whe...
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I say this having not seen one, but I'm told the late model (2008 and newer) chassis uses larger bolts on the sway bar brackets and a much higher torque than earlier models. I can't say I understand why, but some engineer at Ford apparently did. My guess is that the bolts are self-tapping and of course were driven at the factory with power tools. Hot metal probably galled the threads at that time, and a little rust has locked thinks up even more since.
Before you give up, suggest you wait a day or two and see if somebody who's done that bar on that chassis responds. Or call Hellwig and see if they've heard of it.
If you're using a 3/8" drive socket set, I'd suspect it isn't enough for the oversized fasteners. I also don't know your strength, agility, or positioning under the coach. But I think it should come off at home with hand tools, or blow those bolts out with an impact. Can you get at the threads at all? Some WD40 or similar could be a big help. Go one way a half turn, spray, go the other way, spray and repeat.
Just found a PM from "deprived", an OP who did a front axle upgrade and added a late model Hellwig bar. I PM'd him and asked him to look at this thread to see if he could help. He did say the torque on the front bolts is 115, the rear only 18. 115 is a lot of torque to overcome with a short ratchet and you flat on your back.
I'd say, Persevere! Should be able to get it.
Before you give up, suggest you wait a day or two and see if somebody who's done that bar on that chassis responds. Or call Hellwig and see if they've heard of it.
If you're using a 3/8" drive socket set, I'd suspect it isn't enough for the oversized fasteners. I also don't know your strength, agility, or positioning under the coach. But I think it should come off at home with hand tools, or blow those bolts out with an impact. Can you get at the threads at all? Some WD40 or similar could be a big help. Go one way a half turn, spray, go the other way, spray and repeat.
Just found a PM from "deprived", an OP who did a front axle upgrade and added a late model Hellwig bar. I PM'd him and asked him to look at this thread to see if he could help. He did say the torque on the front bolts is 115, the rear only 18. 115 is a lot of torque to overcome with a short ratchet and you flat on your back.
I'd say, Persevere! Should be able to get it.
