Hellwig sway bar rust

[Dewey]

I installed mine about 9 months ago. While rotating my tires I noticed it seems extremely rusty for such a short period of time. Assuming it was powder coated but if it was looks like a very poor job. I’m very worried about how long it will last at this rate. Never had a problem like this with factory bars.

Anybody else seeing this?


My factory springs still look brand new.

 

[bigdodge]

I installed mine about 9 months ago. While rotating my tires I noticed it seems extremely rusty for such a short period of time. Assuming it was powder coated but if it was looks like a very poor job. I’m very worried about how long it will last at this rate. Never had a problem like this with factory bars.

Anybody else seeing this?

View attachment 154323 View attachment 154324
My factory springs still look brand new.

View attachment 154325

I would contact helwig, this does not seem right

Sway Bars - Hellwig Products

www.hellwigproducts.com

 

[Dewey]

I would contact helwig, this does not seem right

Sway Bars - Hellwig Products

www.hellwigproducts.com

That was the plan. Just wanted to ask if anybody else has this problem.

 

[Dewey]

How my Hellwig looked about 8 months ago on June 28th 2022.

I emailed them. Will let you know when I get a reply.

 

[AWAKEN]

I installed mine about 9 months ago. While rotating my tires I noticed it seems extremely rusty for such a short period of time. Assuming it was powder coated but if it was looks like a very poor job. I’m very worried about how long it will last at this rate. Never had a problem like this with factory bars.

Anybody else seeing this?

View attachment 154323 View attachment 154324
My factory springs still look brand new.

View attachment 154325

 

[mikeru82]

I had one on a previous truck for about a year. I didn't notice any rust when I was underneath the truck just before I traded it in. It went with the truck, so I can't say how it's holding up in the 9-ish months since then.

 

[Dewey]

I was hoping more people that live in winter climates with salt would climb under and check their Hellwig out and posted some pics for comparison.

Want to know if this is the norm. Better not be for what those things cost.

I emailed Hellwig but still no reply.

 

[mikeru82]

I was hoping more people that live in winter climates with salt would climb under and check their Hellwig out and posted some pics for comparison.

Want to know if this is the norm. Better not be for what those things cost.

I emailed Hellwig but still no reply.

I should have mentioned that our current truck has one too, but it's been at the shop for almost 4 weeks now so I don't have easy access to it. We're supposed to get it back tomorrow so I'll try to remember to post pics after getting it home. They don't use road salt where I live, they use magnesium chloride instead. That was primarily the wife's truck when I had mine, and I have no idea what the sway bar looks like on that truck off the top of my head.

 

[Jeffjad]

Yeah that rust seems extreme for 9 months. Here is mine after 2.5 years in the salt belt of PA. I have a little bit of surface rust starting but nothing like yours. I did have fluid film done this past fall so it may have helped a little.



After looking at your picture when it was new it doesn't appear to have as much black flake in it. Could just be the picture though.

 

[Dewey]

Yeah that rust seems extreme for 9 months. Here is mine after 2.5 years in the salt belt of PA. I have a little bit of surface rust starting but nothing like yours. I did have fluid film done this past fall so it may have helped a little.

View attachment 154514

After looking at your picture when it was new it doesn't appear to have as much black flake in it. Could just be the picture though.

I was thinking the same. Wonder if mine missed the coating process or at the very least was a malfunction in the process.

 

[Av1]

I was hoping more people that live in winter climates with salt would climb under and check their Hellwig out and posted some pics for comparison.

Want to know if this is the norm. Better not be for what those things cost.

I emailed Hellwig but still no reply.

I'm a desert rat, so I don't see much rust anyways.

But that doesn't look normal to me when the rest of your truck in the photo looks so rust free.

 

[Jeffjad]

I was thinking the same. Wonder if mine missed the coating process or at the very least was a malfunction in the process.

That's quite possible. I'm curious to see if Hellwig stands behind their product.

 

[Dewey]

That's quite possible. I will be curious to hear if Hellwig stands behind their product.

They better. Otherwise I’m pulling it off, sanding down and re-coating it myself. Looked like a thin coating when I installed. Knew I should have shot it with more layers. Guess at that price I expected better.

 

[Dewey]

Hellwig got back to me and said a new sway bar is already on it’s way.

All they ask is I send the old one back and they’re paying return shipping.

 

[Jeffjad]

Hellwig got back to me and said a new sway bar is already on it’s way.

All they ask is I send the old one back and they’re paying return shipping.

That's good to hear. I love when companies stand behind their product and make things right.

 

[Dewey]

Wondering if anybody else checked out their Hellwig for rust especially if you live in areas that use a lot of road salt in the winter?

My new bar was delivered today and gonna swap out tomorrow. The finish looks exactly like my old one. Not real confident this one won’t rust either. Thinking I better shoot it with some extra paint just in case.

 

[Dewey]

Quite the difference.

 

[Jeffjad]

Quite the difference.

View attachment 155360

Wow! I would spray the s*** out of the new one with fluid film prior to every winter for a little preventative maintenance.

 

[Dewey]

Wow! I would spray the s*** out of the new one with fluid film prior to every winter for a little preventative maintenance.

Any suggestions for brand or type?

 

[Jeffjad]

Any suggestions for brand or type?

Can be found at pretty much any auto parts store. I had my whole truck undercoated with fluid film by a local shop, cost me $300 but it has held up great.

https://www.autozone.com/greases-and-gear-oil/lubricant-grease/p/fluid-film-powerful-rust-corrosion-protection-aerosol-spray-11-75oz/253803_0_0?cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:GEN:19502231967&&CATARGETID=120054150001287365&CADevice=m&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2v-gBhC1ARIsAOQdKY0K5OvyApnyk_eb5jqkC3hlKO0wswYx7oYRWvkDB3OUmYILYArEWQ8aAgVGEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds