Exactly how important are rear traction rods?

[PoorMans180SX]

The traction rod affects caster in the rear which effects the rear camber curve.

Depending on the static camber you're running in the rear, you usually want to lengthen them on a really lowered car, this makes your camber curve "smoother" lessening bumpsteer and helping traction.

[jspaeth]

Originally Posted by PoorMans180SX

The traction rod affects caster in the rear which effects the rear camber curve.

Depending on the static camber you're running in the rear, you usually want to lengthen them on a really lowered car, this makes your camber curve "smoother" lessening bumpsteer and helping traction.

Okay....camber curve being how camber changes versus bump in the rear (aka how much camber you gain as the suspension travels upward?).

And because of the geometry, as you travel upward, this changes both the camber AND toe?

So lengthening the traction rod casues the toe/camber change upon suspension travel to be smaller?

is that correct?

[SoSideways]

Originally Posted by jspaeth

Okay....camber curve being how camber changes versus bump in the rear (aka how much camber you gain as the suspension travels upward?).

And because of the geometry, as you travel upward, this changes both the camber AND toe?

So lengthening the traction rod casues the toe/camber change upon suspension travel to be smaller?

is that correct?

In short, yes.

The best way to learn about the effects of the traction arm, is for you to literally go out to the car, take out the rear coilovers, disconnect the sway bar, and play with the traction rods.

Obviously mark the rods to where the original settings are before you mess with them, duh.

Before you adjust them though, go ahead and move your wheel/suspension up and down the entire range so you can get a feel for what it does in the current setting.

Then, on one side, lengthen it like 10mm like a lot of folks do on slammed or lowered cars. On the other side, shorten it 10mm, just to give you the extremes on either side of the adjustments to exaggerate the effects.