Hellwig Big Wig Rear Sway Bar End Link Hitting Exhaust on 2005 GMC Sierra 3500, Any Fix?
Updated 05/12/2026 | Published 05/11/2026
Question:
2005 GMC 3500 Sierra DRW 4WD, 8 foot bed, extended cab. Passenger side end link interferes with stock exhaust pipe. I have shifted the sway bar as far as it can go towards the drivers side. I have shimmed the end link with extra washers at the sway bar connection to move it towards the drivers side. The end link still contacts the exhaust. Is there an end link with more of an off-set that would allow clearance around the exhaust? Should I contact Hellwig directly? Searching online it would seem this is a very common problem.
asked by: John M
Expert Reply:
Hello John,
That’s definitely a frustrating spot to be in, and you’re not alone. This is a pretty common issue on the older GM 2500/3500 trucks, especially with how the factory exhaust is routed on the passenger side. It sounds like you’ve already done all the right things by shifting the bar and adding washers to move the end link over, so you’re not missing anything on the install side.
At this point, the limitation is really in the design of the kit versus the factory exhaust routing. Hellwig doesn’t offer an alternate end link with a different offset for the # HE94MR, so there isn’t a simple bolt-on swap to gain more clearance there. Because of that, most solutions end up focusing on the exhaust instead.
In a lot of cases, you can gain the clearance you need by slightly adjusting the exhaust. Sometimes loosening the hangers and rotating or shifting the pipe just a bit will do it. If that’s not quite enough, a local exhaust shop can put a small tweak or bend in that section of pipe to create the space needed. It usually doesn’t take much movement to stop the contact.
I don’t mind reaching out to my contact at Hellwig to see if they’ve come up with any updated solutions or recommendations. If you could respond directly to the email you receive with a couple pictures of how the end link is contacting the exhaust, I can forward those over to my contact and see what they say.
Once we get that clearance sorted out, that Big Wig bar really does make a big difference in handling, especially on a dually. What are you mainly using your truck for right now, towing something big or getting ready for a trip?
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Hellwig Adjustable Big Wig Rear Anti-Sway Bar - 1-5/16" Diameter
- Anti-Sway Bars
- Anti-Sway Bar
- Rear
- 1-5/16 Inch Diameter
- Fixed End Link
- No Drilling Required
- Mounting Hardware Included
- Hellwig
more information >
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