Track bar adjustment

Discussion in 'Race car chassis tech' started by BQUICK, Jul 1, 2005.

  1. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    Anyone know how I should adjust my track bar (panhard) on my ladder bar car. Mine broke at Norwalk when the driveshaft hit it. Had a new one made.

    Just put it in static? (no preload) with weight of car on suspension? Or should it be preloaded it one direction or the other.

    Bruce
     
  2. 10inchbuick

    10inchbuick Midwest Buick Mafia

    Put it in and take a cross measurement across the ladder bar mounting points and make sure it's square then check tire clearance.You can move the rear end with the track bar but only a little if you need to move it over 1/4 something isn't right.
     
  3. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    Something isn't right. When the track bar got bent the distance had to have been shortened for it to bend, right?
    I got the track bar in there (at ride height) but only by adjusting it to minimum length.
    Now the right rear is 3-4 in higher than the left. One shock is dropping more than the other when I let it hang.
    All this from just breaking a yoke on the starting line!
    I guess I'll have to check everything now.

    Bruce
     
  4. 10inchbuick

    10inchbuick Midwest Buick Mafia

    Hum thats no good either you have a ton of preload or you bent ladder bar crossmember when the driveshaft hit it.Maybe one of the ladder bars is bent.Time to start measuring everything.It sucks it never can be simple when you break something you think you got one or two things and it turns into three or four.
     
  5. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    yup, this is turning into one expensive broken yoke (no joke)....lots of TORQUE

    out of pocketmedical costs=$1700
    yoke=$120
    drive shaft $110
    track bar $65
    prescription sunglasses (crushed)=$220

    Over $2200

    now possible ladder bars......

    Hey at least I'm still around to whine about it!
     
  6. 10inchbuick

    10inchbuick Midwest Buick Mafia

    The most important thing is that you and your son are still here.
    I hope you can get away with just a ladder bar.It would really suck if the crossmember is bent then you have a bunch of work to do.Well measure everything and good luck hopefully the jag will be ready for salem.
     
  7. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    yeah, shooting for Salem....hopefully some testing before. The sad part is that I have never raced a car this fast that is (was?) so easy to drive. Even with the crosswind at Norwalk I could have driven with one finger on the wheel....and I did the alignment myself!
     
  8. 10inchbuick

    10inchbuick Midwest Buick Mafia

    Did you find the problem just curious.
     
  9. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    No....tomorrow. Thing is leaning like a dog taking a leak. Maybe the cat thinks it's a dog now. :laugh:
     
  10. 10inchbuick

    10inchbuick Midwest Buick Mafia

  11. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    Well, it's all level now! The problem was excessive preload on one side ladder bar from the hit the track bar took.
    Ready to run now!
     
  12. 10inchbuick

    10inchbuick Midwest Buick Mafia

    Glad to hear it was something simple.No major surgery required :TU: :beer :3gears: Now get that cat ready to pounce.
     
  13. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    Yeah, I was talking to the chassis guy about how to make it into a leaper (i.e. wheelstander). He lectured me about how that is not the quickest way down the track. Would be cool though......esp since the logo of the Jag is a called a "leaper".
    Too bad I'm not allowed to run Super 8 or Quick 16 at the BPG.......
     

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