GMPartsGuy
NWSTP
I bought the Belltech #5525 rear sway bar and installed it tonight on my Ty. I had to walk away from that stupid thing. :steamer: I am SO unimpressed with the fit. The installation is pretty straightforward (I guess), but this thing is supposed to be designed JUST FOR our trucks. If that's so, then why are the ends of the bar so rediculously close the the springs?
First, I had my wife sit on the tailgate (130-ish pounds) and just that amount of weight had the bar hitting the spring "clamp" (the bracket riveted to the third leaf down that keeps the others in line). This is a totally stock ride height truck (in the back at least). Picture #3 in the instructions (which are less than spectacular) shows the bar like 2-3" above the spring. The only things I can think of is that they have the suspension hanging in that pic, or it's a standard Blazer/Jimmy. The install sheet can be viewed in PDF format on Belltech's website if you're curious.
Second, I thought the sway bar was supposed to be located directly below the rear axle. The bar actually sits a little more forward than I think it should.
Third, I think they should get someone to write the instructions who has actually installed this bar. They tell you to install the end link bolt from the top, which would put the extra length of the bolt dangerously close to the leaf spring. Kinda funny how the picture in the instructions shows it installed exactly the opposite--from the bottom. Also, they never actually tell you to take the nuts that come with the u-bolt clamps and chuck 'em in the trash. That's the only thing I can assume you use the extra four locknuts and washers for, since they never tell you. A more minor thing about the directions is that they tell you that you're going to need a both a 10mm and 14mm socket and wrenches. Although 14mm and 9/16" are VERY close, 14mm is ever so slightly smaller and can be a pain to get on a 9/16 fastener. Not to mention, THERE ARE NO METRIC FASTENERS IN THIS KIT AT ALL!! Everything is either 9/16 or 3/4.
I've spent quite a bit of time tonight searching old posts, and finding that some people drilled holes in the frame for the mounting brackets in a more suitable location. I guess I'm gonna have to do that if I want this thing to fit the way I think it should.
With the upcoming GP for sway bars (and it looks like it's a BIG one), I'll bet there's gonna be more posts like this. I'm not necessarily looking for responses, I just had to rant some. :rant: I figure this is the best place, cause the wife is kinda tired of hearing it.
First, I had my wife sit on the tailgate (130-ish pounds) and just that amount of weight had the bar hitting the spring "clamp" (the bracket riveted to the third leaf down that keeps the others in line). This is a totally stock ride height truck (in the back at least). Picture #3 in the instructions (which are less than spectacular) shows the bar like 2-3" above the spring. The only things I can think of is that they have the suspension hanging in that pic, or it's a standard Blazer/Jimmy. The install sheet can be viewed in PDF format on Belltech's website if you're curious.
Second, I thought the sway bar was supposed to be located directly below the rear axle. The bar actually sits a little more forward than I think it should.
Third, I think they should get someone to write the instructions who has actually installed this bar. They tell you to install the end link bolt from the top, which would put the extra length of the bolt dangerously close to the leaf spring. Kinda funny how the picture in the instructions shows it installed exactly the opposite--from the bottom. Also, they never actually tell you to take the nuts that come with the u-bolt clamps and chuck 'em in the trash. That's the only thing I can assume you use the extra four locknuts and washers for, since they never tell you. A more minor thing about the directions is that they tell you that you're going to need a both a 10mm and 14mm socket and wrenches. Although 14mm and 9/16" are VERY close, 14mm is ever so slightly smaller and can be a pain to get on a 9/16 fastener. Not to mention, THERE ARE NO METRIC FASTENERS IN THIS KIT AT ALL!! Everything is either 9/16 or 3/4.
I've spent quite a bit of time tonight searching old posts, and finding that some people drilled holes in the frame for the mounting brackets in a more suitable location. I guess I'm gonna have to do that if I want this thing to fit the way I think it should.
With the upcoming GP for sway bars (and it looks like it's a BIG one), I'll bet there's gonna be more posts like this. I'm not necessarily looking for responses, I just had to rant some. :rant: I figure this is the best place, cause the wife is kinda tired of hearing it.
