Stabilizer Bars
- Mark
- Seasoned Traveler
- Posts: 177
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:03 pm
- B190 Year: 1997
- WBCCI: 0
- Location: I get my mail in Carson City, NV
Re: Stabilizer Bars
Just now I removed my overly large and close to the differential and ground, fresh and gray water tanks. I'm figuring out where the holes go and I will order them from Plastic Mart.com soon.
Given that I now know that I will be able to fit the Hellwig stabilizer bar without hitting the fresh water tank, I just ordered that also!
I'm deep into working on a solar system that I can afford also.
Given that I now know that I will be able to fit the Hellwig stabilizer bar without hitting the fresh water tank, I just ordered that also!
I'm deep into working on a solar system that I can afford also.
If it ain't fun - it ain't done!
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- Seasoned Traveler
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2014 9:30 am
- B190 Year: 1994
- WBCCI: 0
- Location: Vail Valley Colorado
Re: Stabilizer Bars
I'm deep into working on a solar system that I can afford also.[/quote]
Def want to hear more about this as it will be on the Fall project list. My whole 12v system is a mystery so would like to start fresh and add a solar array![Shocked 8O](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
Def want to hear more about this as it will be on the Fall project list. My whole 12v system is a mystery so would like to start fresh and add a solar array
![Shocked 8O](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
- Mark
- Seasoned Traveler
- Posts: 177
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:03 pm
- B190 Year: 1997
- WBCCI: 0
- Location: I get my mail in Carson City, NV
Re: Stabilizer Bars
IMHO I have modest needs, a few "always on" USB plugs, I want to be able to charge my computer, I want the stereo to be "always on" and I might want to use my blender for a few minutes every day.
So far the bid for two panels, new batteries and all the wiring, labor and such, is $5600. It'll be a buffed out system but dang!
So far the bid for two panels, new batteries and all the wiring, labor and such, is $5600. It'll be a buffed out system but dang!
If it ain't fun - it ain't done!
- Mark
- Seasoned Traveler
- Posts: 177
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:03 pm
- B190 Year: 1997
- WBCCI: 0
- Location: I get my mail in Carson City, NV
Re: Stabilizer Bars
Installed mine last night!
It was pretty much easy peasy. I had to buy a 1/2" bit that fit into my 3/8" drill but that was money well spent.
I've put off the solar for next year, btw.
It was pretty much easy peasy. I had to buy a 1/2" bit that fit into my 3/8" drill but that was money well spent.
I've put off the solar for next year, btw.
If it ain't fun - it ain't done!
- weekender
- Seasoned Traveler
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:00 am
- B190 Year: 1993
- WBCCI: 0
- Location: Northampton MA
Re: Stabilizer Bars
Just picked up my 93 from my local mechanic who installed my rear sway bar-- $134 install and replace power steering belt.-- marked difference. I put in all new bilstein shocks last year-- which also make a big improvement. Can finally say I can live with it now, might still look into a bit more front end looseness than I would like, but the bilstein shocks and the rear sway bar have made a world of difference.
Re: Stabilizer Bars
Which Bilstein shocks did you put on? I want to put them on mine but can't decide which ones. Thanks, JBlido14co wrote:Great post. Do you think it's worth $200 for the better ride? I put Bilstein shocks on last year and they made a huge difference. Thanks.
- lido14co
- Seasoned Traveler
- Posts: 259
- Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:12 pm
- B190 Year: 1992
- WBCCI: 0
- Location: Los Osos, CA
Re: Stabilizer Bars
Model numbers for the Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks are 33-176857 for the rear and 33-187570 for the fronts. That' sweat I put on mine and they're still performing well along with the sway bar. Thinking of upgrading the front sway bar down the line to help with drift.
Cliff
Cliff
- lido14co
- Seasoned Traveler
- Posts: 259
- Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:12 pm
- B190 Year: 1992
- WBCCI: 0
- Location: Los Osos, CA
Re: Stabilizer Bars
Guess I should review my posts and edit!
Cliff
Cliff
-
- Weekend Camper
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2013 5:45 pm
- B190 Year: 1996
- WBCCI: 0
Re: Stabilizer Bars
I just finished putting the rear stabilizer bars on my 1996 b190. Be very careful when enlarging the holes to attach the rear bar. One of the holes points towards the fuel tank. If your drill bit plunges too far through that hole, you could hit the tank!
My installation was way harder than it should have been because we broke a rusty hydraulic brake line while trying to install the U-bolts. The original brake line didn't allow room for the U-bolts. The line was very rusted at the clip that holds it on top of the differential, and that's where it broke. The rear wheels have the brake line ports and the bleed valves in the most inconvenient possible positions, and they were fused with rust; very difficult to turn. I had to destroy one bleed valve and replace it to get the brakes working again.
The ride is definitely improved. Bare in mind that the B190 will always be like a full size van with a fiberglass boat glued to its roof. It's still a very top-heavy vehicle and its difficult (or impossible) to make it handle like a lighter vehicle. That being said, I can now drive over bumps and curb cuts at an angle without fearing I'll roll the van on it's side! So far I've done the rear bar and the front shocks only; next comes the front bar.
My installation was way harder than it should have been because we broke a rusty hydraulic brake line while trying to install the U-bolts. The original brake line didn't allow room for the U-bolts. The line was very rusted at the clip that holds it on top of the differential, and that's where it broke. The rear wheels have the brake line ports and the bleed valves in the most inconvenient possible positions, and they were fused with rust; very difficult to turn. I had to destroy one bleed valve and replace it to get the brakes working again.
The ride is definitely improved. Bare in mind that the B190 will always be like a full size van with a fiberglass boat glued to its roof. It's still a very top-heavy vehicle and its difficult (or impossible) to make it handle like a lighter vehicle. That being said, I can now drive over bumps and curb cuts at an angle without fearing I'll roll the van on it's side! So far I've done the rear bar and the front shocks only; next comes the front bar.
- lido14co
- Seasoned Traveler
- Posts: 259
- Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:12 pm
- B190 Year: 1992
- WBCCI: 0
- Location: Los Osos, CA
Re: Stabilizer Bars
Congrats. Haven't updated the front bar yet. Let us know if you get any improvement.
Cliff
Cliff
Re: Stabilizer Bars
Will we have to remove the real wheels to install the rear stablizer ? Thanks
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- New User
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2016 9:31 pm
- B190 Year: 1992
- WBCCI: 0
- Location: Jackson, Ohio
Re: Stabilizer Bars
Thanks for the post! I'm new to the site and this is exactly why I wanted to join. Our B is exactly what we were looking for minus the feeling of death once we hit 55. If a Semi passes us, it's like being on a small boat on the ocean. The PO told us he had new bushings and sway bar put on, but I'm yet to see a rear sway on it. We use our B to pull our small(8x5) enclosed motocross trailer to and from races as well as camp whenever we can. New tires, a very close look at the suspension and a rear anti-sway bar are in the near future.
- Tucsonan
- Seasoned Traveler
- Posts: 170
- Joined: Tue Mar 26, 2013 2:16 pm
- B190 Year: 1994
- WBCCI: 0
- Location: Sahuarita Arizona
Re: Stabilizer Bars
Newkirk407 wrote:Thanks for the post! I'm new to the site and this is exactly why I wanted to join. Our B is exactly what we were looking for minus the feeling of death once we hit 55. If a Semi passes us, it's like being on a small boat on the ocean. The PO told us he had new bushings and sway bar put on, but I'm yet to see a rear sway on it. We use our B to pull our small(8x5) enclosed motocross trailer to and from races as well as camp whenever we can. New tires, a very close look at the suspension and a rear anti-sway bar are in the near future.
Rear stabilizer bar, new heavy duty shocks and exact tire pressure front and rear will keep you steady!
1994 B190, Sahuarita Arizona
"... but it's a dry heat!"
"... but it's a dry heat!"
- skater
- Site Admin
- Posts: 2570
- Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:00 am
- B190 Year: 1991
- WBCCI: 13270
- Location: Annapolis, MD
Re: Stabilizer Bars
I'd add to what Tucsonan said - make sure the steering box is tight. Loose steering will send you all over the road! (I don't know anything about doing this - my shop adjusted it for me, and the difference was definitely noticeable.)Newkirk407 wrote:Thanks for the post! I'm new to the site and this is exactly why I wanted to join. Our B is exactly what we were looking for minus the feeling of death once we hit 55. If a Semi passes us, it's like being on a small boat on the ocean. The PO told us he had new bushings and sway bar put on, but I'm yet to see a rear sway on it. We use our B to pull our small(8x5) enclosed motocross trailer to and from races as well as camp whenever we can. New tires, a very close look at the suspension and a rear anti-sway bar are in the near future.
1991 Airstream B190 - bought, 2005; sold, 2011; bought 2017
1995 Airstream Excella 30' trailer
WBCCI #13270, Washington, DC Unit
1995 Airstream Excella 30' trailer
WBCCI #13270, Washington, DC Unit