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Old 02-27-2021, 07:33 AM   #21
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Model: Axis 24.1
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THOR #14093
Quote:
Originally Posted by taylorbob1 View Post
Airlift 1000 or Firestone air springs are placed inside the Ford E 350 or 450 front coil springs.
If you want to control from the cockpit, you need to add the electric pump.
The pump system can be ordered in Single (both together equally) or Dual path (Side to side inflation)

For my application...both bags can be manually inflated or deflated on their own separate lines from an access point thru the front end using a small 120v pump I carry with me.
I keep mine inflated to 45-50 pounds, so there's no adjustment.

AIR LIFT 25592 Load Controller II On Board Air Compressor System
Sounds like Airlift system is a great idea but I think I am done with the suspension upgrades for a while. I installed the 4 Sumo Springs and Billstein shocks last year and yesterday I installed Safe-T-Plus stabilizer and front Hellwig Sway Bar with new sway bar links. It took me about 3.5 hrs to do both. I need to test drive the MH now and adjust the stabilizer if necessary. And today, started installing rear Hellwig sway bar. Taking that bar off the MH was a piece of cake. I thought I will be done in couple of hours but...nothing go that easy. The new bushings are bigger than OEM stuff so is the new bracket holding them in place. I had to make the holes for the mounting bolts bigger. They would not line up with the one on the welded to frame bracket. Also the thread on one of the old bolts got stripped and has to be replaced. Tomorrow I will replace that bolt, fasten all other bolts, install new sway bar end links and...should be ready for a test drive. Can't wait to do that. By the way, the old "sway bars" and Ford's stabilizer is a joke. Here are some pictures.
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Old 02-27-2021, 02:33 PM   #22
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THOR #13362
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rysiek View Post
......By the way, the old "sway bars" and Ford's stabilizer is a joke.....
You couldn’t have said it any better
My old sway bar & damper sits on the wood pile
I walk by it daily.
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Old 02-28-2021, 08:24 AM   #23
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Originally Posted by taylorbob1 View Post
You couldn’t have said it any better
My old sway bar & damper sits on the wood pile
I walk by it daily.
Well, I thought installing the rear sway bar will be easy but unfortunately I was not able to finish the work today. The rear sway bar is up and mounted but I could not remove the old end links. They are attached to the frame with the bolt and 18mm nut which I could not remove no matter what I did. After two Home Depot trips, Auto Zone, O'Reilly store visits where several different sockets were purchased I had to quit. This darn 18mm nut has some type of notches (4 of them) which do not allow the socket to be placed properly ( will not go all the way down) and be turned with enough torque. It is slipping no matter what I do. I sprayed the bolt with WD 40 several hours earlier but this would not help. Do any of you have suggestions or previous experience with uninstalling that particular end link. Right now I am tempted to use my grinder!!! Unfortunately, I do not have picture of that nut, just the image of the end link before the new install.
So, at this moment, the new rear sway bar is completely mounted and the arms are attached to the old end links. which makes me a very unhappy camper!!!Click image for larger version

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Old 02-28-2021, 12:40 PM   #24
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Sounds like you are talking about an anti-rotation tab on the nut. If so you have to bend those out of the way to remove nut.
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Old 02-28-2021, 03:09 PM   #25
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I’d like to see this “anti-rotation tab”
On my 2016 Ford chassis, it was a simple nut & bolt
Here’s a photo of the top of the bar supports you’re trying to unfasten
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Old 02-28-2021, 03:52 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by taylorbob1 View Post
I’d like to see this “anti-rotation tab”
On my 2016 Ford chassis, it was a simple nut & bolt
Here’s a photo of the top of the bar supports you’re trying to unfasten
I'm not saying the Ford chassis has an anti-rotation tab on a simple end link. I only suggested that is what they could be seeing if a socket will not go on the nut all the way. No pictures were shared of the problem nut.
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Old 02-28-2021, 04:03 PM   #27
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THOR #124
Use a pipe wrench with a length of pipe over the handle long enough to give you the leverage required.
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Old 02-28-2021, 07:14 PM   #28
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THOR #14093
Quote:
Originally Posted by taylorbob1 View Post
I’d like to see this “anti-rotation tab”
On my 2016 Ford chassis, it was a simple nut & bolt
Here’s a photo of the top of the bar supports you’re trying to unfasten
Sportcoupe,
You are 100% correct. I was wondering how come this end link does not rotate/move during driving? Now I know. . There is some type of tab there. I guess the upper part (notched) sits on top of the 18mm nut and the other part goes down and wraps around square opening where is fastened to the frame with small metal screw. This is really hard to see and reach place but I also was not paying enough attention to that part of the install and that caused me a lot of headaches yesterday. I am on my way to storage and will try to finish the install. I am hoping that tab will be easy to remove.
I will send some pictures later and keep you posted. What is interesting Taylorbob, that your 2016 model does not have that.
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Old 03-01-2021, 07:15 AM   #29
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THOR #14093
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rysiek View Post
Sportcoupe,
You are 100% correct. I was wondering how come this end link does not rotate/move during driving? Now I know. . There is some type of tab there. I guess the upper part (notched) sits on top of the 18mm nut and the other part goes down and wraps around square opening where is fastened to the frame with small metal screw. This is really hard to see and reach place but I also was not paying enough attention to that part of the install and that caused me a lot of headaches yesterday. I am on my way to storage and will try to finish the install. I am hoping that tab will be easy to remove.
I will send some pictures later and keep you posted. What is interesting Taylorbob, that your 2016 model does not have that.
As suggested by Sportcoupe I tried to bend the tab in order to remove it but this thing was installed there for good. The little notches made on the nut are there for a reason. They do prevent you from taking the tab off. So, I decided as a last resort to unfasten that bolt from the other side which would not make any sense to me. This was 5/8" bolt and to my total surprise I was able to remove it without any issues! The rest was easy. Both new sway bar end links were put in place without any problems other than being extra careful with the tools around the brake & gas lines on the driver side. Here are the pictures[emoji2].
Unfortunately, after all of this, I end up having another problem. When tighting up one of the bolts for the bushing U-Plate the bolt broke. The broken piece is inside the saddle bracket. I have tried to remove it but with no success so far. Just purchased online left hand drills and bolt extractor sets and will try to do that again tomorrow.
Any suggestions or ideas on how to remove this darn thing? Thanks!
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Old 03-01-2021, 01:05 PM   #30
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That is a captured nut, not an anti-rotation tap. The capture nut is intended to stay on the frame in-place, no wrench needed. It's purpose is to make installation of bolt easier.
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Old 03-01-2021, 02:42 PM   #31
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Yuuup
Just like my E450 frame
Sorry I couldn’t be more help

With all of your challenges you can now see why most just pay the $100/hr to have it all installed.

At least by sharing your experience on the Forum it highlights for others “how-to”
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Old 03-02-2021, 12:55 AM   #32
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THOR #14093
Quote:
Originally Posted by taylorbob1 View Post
Yuuup
Just like my E450 frame
Sorry I couldn’t be more help

With all of your challenges you can now see why most just pay the $100/hr to have it all installed.

At least by sharing your experience on the Forum it highlights for others “how-to”
Thank you both very much for your help. I am new to all of this and learning. Before I start any project upgrade I do study the matter by reading and listening to other experts to see if I can handle it. I do not mind paying someone for their work but I also like to take on more challenging tasks. This is fun too. The only mishap so far is that broken bolt I have to deal with now .
Thank you again!
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Old 03-02-2021, 02:38 AM   #33
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question on cost -
I have not had any real problems with my ride, just wondering about what this all cost.
parts? where did you get the parts?
labor, did you pay someone or do it yourself? effort to do it yourself? I am a do it yourself person.
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Old 03-02-2021, 03:07 AM   #34
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Not sure how it would work on the 24.1, .... However, on our Axis 25.2 E-450 installed Safe-T-Plus and Hellwigs Front and Rear.
I understand if we had gone with Roadmaster Rear it would have needed drilling in the chassis to attach the rear. ... Hellwig was just bolt replacement.
Pretty close to “one finger on wheel driving” now.
Forum Link to the details:
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/sh...2&postcount=10
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Old 03-02-2021, 07:22 AM   #35
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THOR #14093
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Originally Posted by TerryJames View Post
Not sure how it would work on the 24.1, .... However, on our Axis 25.2 E-450 installed Safe-T-Plus and Hellwigs Front and Rear.
I understand if we had gone with Roadmaster Rear it would have needed drilling in the chassis to attach the rear. ... Hellwig was just bolt replacement.
Pretty close to “one finger on wheel driving” now.
Forum Link to the details:
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/sh...2&postcount=10
I was planning on purchasing all equipment directly from the manufacturers, Hellwig &
Safe-T-Plus but unfortunately, in some cases I would have to wait up to 8 weeks to get the ordered items.. Well, choice was simple, Amazon. Generally, I received the parts in less than a week. Everything qualified for free shipping except the Rear Sway Bar. That shipping cost me $30.00.
Here are the numbers for 2015 Axis 24.1:
1. Hellwig 7718 Front Sway Bar for Ford Van
150-350 - $312.00
(they are on sale now for $290.00)
2. Hellwig 7182 Rear Sway Bar - $367.00
3. Safe-T-Plus Steering Stabilizer 31-140 -
$367.00
3. Safe-T-Plus Mounting Kit
Model E-353K14 - $60.00
4. Moog K750322 Stabilizer Bar Link -
$44.00
Installation was easy but little time consuming due the fact that I had to make several trips to hardware and automotive stores to purchase long sockets in both metric & standard sizes. I had a little issues removing the rear sway bar links but with help from couple of experts on this Forum I managed that quickly. (see my previous post) The only little modification I had to make was to enlarge the openings on U-shaped bracket for the rear sway bar. I also suggest to use impact wrench wisely. Due to my inattention I broke the bolt when was mounting that u-shaped bracket on the rear bar. I need to remove the broken bolt and put the new one in. Other than that the install is straight forward but read the instruction sheet first. Because of that mishap I was not able to drive the MH yet and adjust the Safe-T-Plus stabilizer. Someone on this Forum mentioned that he got an estimate to install all for $3,800. Here in CA I might pay even more that is why I did not ask anybody. Last year Big O Tire wanted install 4 new Billstein shocks on my Axis for $1,500. I purchased them online for $400 and installed them in one afternoon without ever doing this before. I am sure you can do the install without any problems. Good luck.
And of course ask the experts here like I did.
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Old 03-02-2021, 01:44 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rysiek View Post
............

Last year Big O Tire wanted install 4 new Billstein shocks on my Axis for $1,500. I purchased them online for $400 and installed them in one afternoon without ever doing this before. I am sure you can do the install without any problems. Good luck.
And of course ask the experts here like I did.
Good to know!
These Ford OEM shocks do not belong on my rig
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Old 03-03-2021, 05:14 PM   #37
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Sounds like Airlift system is a great idea but I think I am done with the suspension upgrades for a while. I installed the 4 Sumo Springs and Billstein shocks last year and yesterday I installed Safe-T-Plus stabilizer and front Hellwig Sway Bar with new sway bar links. It took me about 3.5 hrs to do both. I need to test drive the MH now and adjust the stabilizer if necessary. And today, started installing rear Hellwig sway bar. Taking that bar off the MH was a piece of cake. I thought I will be done in couple of hours but...nothing go that easy. The new bushings are bigger than OEM stuff so is the new bracket holding them in place. I had to make the holes for the mounting bolts bigger. They would not line up with the one on the welded to frame bracket. Also the thread on one of the old bolts got stripped and has to be replaced. Tomorrow I will replace that bolt, fasten all other bolts, install new sway bar end links and...should be ready for a test drive. Can't wait to do that. By the way, the old "sway bars" and Ford's stabilizer is a joke. Here are some pictures.
Attachment 28772Attachment 28773Attachment 28774Attachment 28775Attachment 28776Attachment 28777Attachment 28778
Where did you source your sway bars? My Hellwig delivery showed up a couple days ago in a Hellwig labeled 4'x3' (approx) box.
Imagine my surprise when I opened it to find only another much smaller box in it that contained the mounting hardware and bushings...NO BAR in it.
The cardboard has indentations in the shape of a sway bar, so it must have had one in it at one time.
This was ordered thru Amazon, notified them of the issue, and their 3rd party supplier reports "they are working on it".

I called Hellwig directly to inquire about inventory, and was told it would be 8 weeks before we may see availability.

So, if you are considering susp. work on your unit, be aware of availability issues for some brands/parts.
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Old 03-03-2021, 05:31 PM   #38
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Amazon says on new orders for E350 (or 450)...
Front sway bar delivery is 3/9
Rear sway bar will deliver on 3/10
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Old 03-03-2021, 05:43 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by taylorbob1 View Post
Amazon says on new orders for E350 (or 450)...
Front sway bar delivery is 3/9
Rear sway bar will deliver on 3/10
Thanks, Taylorbob -
Interesting, I wish there was a way to find out which supplier has the reported "only 1 in stock", per Amazon website.

Cheers!
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Old 03-03-2021, 06:35 PM   #40
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I’ve learned it’s always best to order:
Ships from Amazon
Sold by Amazon
Whenever possible so the return is effortless
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