I finally got around to putting on an anti-sway bar on our 2005, 1500 hemi, 2wd Ram ST and had an unexpected experience I thought others might benefit from. (A search didn't disclose this, that I could find)

Upon doing the final step of the installation, i.e. actually putting the bar into the frame mounted end-links and axle brackets, we found that the right endlink made hard contact with the exhaust resonator, no matter how we finnagled and move things about (or, 3-pound hammered the heatshield). There isn't a lot of wiggle-room following the supplied install instructions. Speaking of which, there was no mention of this situation/possibility in the instructions.

Not wanting to mod the exhaust I removed the bar so I could use the truck and contacted Hellwig to see if I'd missed something or... I wasn't real happy since I'd followed the instructions to-a-T and had spent twice as much time as I thought the job would take and still hadn't accomplished the task.

To Hellwig's credit I soon got a call from a Hellwig worker who told me they had never encountered this before (hummm!!!) and perhaps it was caused by normal truck production variance. He suggested I simply move the frame brackets rearward one inch and all should be well since the axle brackets would move further around the axle and rearward (interfering more with the brake line I'd already bent out of the way--as per the original instructions). I asked several questions about changing the mounting to the axle and the gentleman had ready answers and said he'd forward pix of a fellow employee's '04 install by e-mail. I replied fine and thanks.

I soon got the pix, but they were of little relevance--to my way of thinking--because they were not of the production bar, but of an adjustable prototype, instead. But, as the Hellwig person said, the frame mounts were the same. So? I wasn't sure of the relevance since too many other variables were different--especially the end-links being longer and with a different type mount. Again, to the credit of Hellwig, the employee was quick to invite me to contact him again with any other issues.

Now what? After listening to comparative sound files I found here (dogdeforum), with and without the resonator, I decided I'd rather remove the resonator and mount the bar as originally intended and be done with it. This was less aggrevating at this point since I now knew of the problem and could get all necessary parts before starting the job and not get caught out with closed stores, etc.

Bottom line... with the resonator off the anti-swaybar install was a no brainer. However, for others contemplating this with a late hemi I thought it best warn of the necessity of being prepared for a possible problem in advance. Also, according the the Hellwig man, one must be careful to follow the torque specs precisely when installing the axle brackets. He said some/many over-tighten and bend them, allowing them to loosen and shift (one of my initial concerns with this mounting method).

So far, the product has worked well. Some parts were painted as delivered, others not. I painted everything before installing, hence negating returning the kit when I was initally rather pi**ed with the way things were going at the time.

I hope this is of some help to someone. All the best.

 

THANKS FOR THE INFO. I WAS LOOKING INTO A SWAY BAR FOR MY 06. DO YOU NOTICE A DIFFERENCE IN HANDELING ? IS IT WORTH THE TIME AND MONEY? THANKS FOR THE INPUT.

 

It's about time you got rid of that resonator... I can't believe you even questioned it. You spent so much time trying to find a work around... The resonator HAS to go, on ANY new HEMI... It's a 30-second job to remove the nut/bolt and yank that last bit of exhaust work off the truck... It sounds was more like a truck should, and resolves some of the restriction issues... Also, it will not void warranty... I see 3 pro's and no con's to removing the resonator...

 

06REDRAM: No, not much difference in feel, but I haven't pushed it very hard since the install, with or without a load.

rob[GL]: A look at the resonator after cutting it off (I retained the over-the-axle section) suggested (to me, anyway) that there is not much restriction--straight through, with very small holes in the through-pipe. My concern was resonance or drone at highway speed pulling a trailer and race car for 1700 or 1800 miles at a pop; such can get old. The verdict is still out in this regard until I go get the car from the shop. Incidently, I cut the pipe right in front of the resonator, put in an 18-inch joint, cut most of the curved section off the rear of the resonator and used to finish off and reinstalled my Gibson end.

All the best.

 

I have had mine on for a year and I just cut off the resonator and had a new pipe welded on for 50 bucks. I definetely notice the difference taking on and off ramps. I like taking them fast. "Its not often you'll hear that you can have a firmer rear end for $200." HTC