Hellwig Sway Bars - Project MOMM - Yukon - Handling

2010 Gmc Yukon Handling The Easy Way Front View

Every now and then, a modification comes around that seems like it is a no-brainer to do. For instance, LED lights look cool, last a long time, and help make your truck safer—it's a no-brainer. If better handling and safer driving conditions are on your list of needs, we're here to tell you there is a no-brainer upgrade to make your truck take corners faster, switch lanes safer, and even drive on back roads with more spirit. The miracle cure is simply swapping out to bigger, stronger sway bars.

During cornering, body roll is created when pressure is exerted to the inboard wheel and tire. Your sway bay twists, like a torsion bar, during this transfer of energy. Most manufacturers sacrifice handling for added ride comfort, but you can have both by upgrading to larger diameter, heat-treated sway bars. For Project MOMM (Murdered-out Mommy Mobile), the 26-inch wheels and tires were really starting to take a toll on the handling capabilities of the Yukon XL. One call to Hellwig Products had a set of 4140 chrome-moly sway bars with polyurethane bushings, and heavy-duty hardware on the way. A really cool bonus for us performance enthusiasts who have lowered trucks and SUVs is Hellwig has applications for lowered trucks already engineered. You got to love enthusiasts making parts for enthusiasts. Hellwig has been manufacturing American made parts for more than 65 years, and besides sway bars, they also make leaf-spring assist units and air suspension kits for towing.

To handle the sway bar install, we cruised over to Insane Kustoms in Phoenix, and were in and out in less than two hours. After the sway bar installation, our Yukon didn't feel like a fishing boat trying to switch lanes and we're no longer fearful of freeway on ramps. What a difference just a few hours can make. To see all of Hellwig's applications, check out their website, or give them a call.

1. Getting things started, we lifted the Yukon up on the lift, but it was easier to install the sway bars on the ground with a load on them. A 15mm socket made quick work of the sway bar endlink bolts. The factory hardware will be reused up front.
1. Getting things started, we lifted the Yukon up on the lift, but it was easier to instal
2. A pair of 10mm bolts held the sway bar mounts in place, and easily busted loose. The factory bar was then pulled down and set aside.
2. A pair of 10mm bolts held the sway bar mounts in place, and easily busted loose. The fa
3. Surprisingly, the factory bar was fairly large, but the 17⁄8-inch Hellwig unit was even bigger, made of 4140 chrome-moly, and featured polyurethane bushings. A cool touch was the hammertone powdercoated finish.
3. Surprisingly, the factory bar was fairly large, but the 17⁄8-inch Hellwig unit was even

4. Included in the kit was polymer grease. It was liberally applied both inside and out of the polyurethane bushing.
4. Included in the kit was polymer grease. It was liberally applied both inside and out of
5. With the mounts in place on the bar, it was hoisted up in place. We say hoisted because it weighs more than 30 pounds. Luckily, our installer ate his Wheaties first.
5. With the mounts in place on the bar, it was hoisted up in place. We say hoisted because
6. Using a 5/16-inch Allen wrench, the new bushing hardware was attached to the frame.

7. This worm’s-eye view shows the sheer size and professional finish of the Hellwig sway bar.
7. This worm’s-eye view shows the sheer size and professional finish of the Hellwig sway b
8. Out back, an 18mm wrench and socket were used to remove the factory endlinks. These will be discarded as the new Hellwig bar uses adjustable and much larger links.
8. Out back, an 18mm wrench and socket were used to remove the factory endlinks. These wil
9. After removing the sway bar mounts, the rear bar was pulled free.

10. More evident than the front photo, the rear bar was much beefier, and the heavy-duty hardware included was topnotch.
10. More evident than the front photo, the rear bar was much beefier, and the heavy-duty h
11. For our lowered application, a 2-inch spacer was included to help the bar clear.
12. Next up, we assembled the sway bar endlinks. In went the rubber bushing and then we used a vise to squeeze in the metal sleeve. Grease was once again used throughout.
12. Next up, we assembled the sway bar endlinks. In went the rubber bushing and then we us

13. Once assembled, the large end link was installed in the factory location.
14. A nice feature for all types of drivers, the rear Hellwig bar included three holes for adjusting the bar’s rigidity. We chose the middle hole for a good compromise of comfortable ride and better handling.
14. A nice feature for all types of drivers, the rear Hellwig bar included three holes for
15. Here you can see the bar installed into the polyurethane mounts and endlinks. This was where the only issue came about. We were sent the wrong nuts for the included mounting bolts. After stripping one with an impact, we found four new nuts and were able to secure it in place.
15. Here you can see the bar installed into the polyurethane mounts and endlinks. This was