How does Traction Rod works?

[sleepyRPS13]

its been awhile since i have touched or even looked at my adjs traction rod when i first installed. umm basically its a trailing arm so the suspension wont flop back n' forth just kinda like a tension rod. I was just wondering what is the proper adjustment to allow more traction. so far its set to stock length and i havent touched it since.

does this affect caster setting for the rear since were changing the lengths?

[skydragoness]

As far as that stuff goes.. i was under the impression that only a race alignment shop should mess w/ those, since they have the know-how?
Modified by skydragoness at 10:15 PM 3/31/2005

[Nismo_Freak]

It doesn't really affect traction, it's a misnomer. You make it longer to bump less toe-in. You can make it long enough in relation to the toe rod that you will toe-out under load. That would be a bit hairy.

Basically I wouldn't touch it unless you plan on getting an alignment and/or you understand how much bumpsteer you have in the rear.

[sleepyRPS13]

oo okay i understand rwd drive wheels tends to toe in when moving or accel and the front pushes toe out.

im just going to extend it longer see if i like it. :p

[Nismo_Freak]

oo okay i understand rwd drive wheels tends to toe in when moving or accel and the front pushes toe out.

im just going to extend it longer see if i like it. :p

You will need to re-align your car.

[sleepyRPS13]

yea definetly, ive been needn one since i installed the tierods.

[Exar-Kun]

Messing with something without understanding the implications is a one-way ticket to ricer/loser ville....

And uhm..you installed tie rods without getting an alignment.....soo....

How about you set them to stock length, get the alignment set up first, and see how you like it there first?- Insted of messing with more variables at once?

The traction rod is something best left to someone who can align it at varying angles and loads, and who knows what the results will be relative to the cars' handling balance...

"Basically I wouldn't touch it unless you plan on getting an alignment and/or you understand how much bumpsteer you have in the rear. "

Good call Alan....and most people have no clue how much they have now, and even msot alignment shops will look at you quizically when talking about it...

But hey, the worst that could happen is you adjust them and you hit a bump ina turn and go careening off..no big deal, right?

[sleepyRPS13]

pass 3 months i did get it aligned. not just once but 4 times, 3 times by myself on a john bean, once to a shop, and it was on stock length.

i did change it anyways and i like it then before , feels more planted. also no bumpsteer from 150miles of jus driving around ;p but you can take it easy guys im going to align it soon.

[madbouncy]

Messing with something without understanding the implications is a one-way ticket to ricer/loser ville....

The best way to learn something is just to set it from one extreme to the other. Aslong as you change one variable at a time. Though I don't know much about it specifically so from what Nismo said, you would get a wrong impression of exactly what changing it does if you don't get it realigned after each change.

[sleepyRPS13]

http://www.quickcar.net/chassis/ch_bsga.htmlthis would be something useful bumpsteer gauge, a little pricey, maybe ill ask if my school has one. has anyone use like this type gauge b4?