TRACKBAR, anyone here run one?

Your quote from the other thread:

"Is a Track Bar really necessary for a solid axle suspension with leaf springs? Don't the leaf springs themselves keep the axle centered? or am I miss understanding the effect of the track bar.

At this point, maybe this is a conversation for a different thread....."



I don't know if my opinion is correct, as I don't run a track bar, but here is why I think they are necessary for performance type driving, auto cross, etc.

The "solid axel" you referred to above is 'floating' around a lot when hard driving, power sliding, and making similar hard cornering. There is a lot of flex in your leaf springs, that is what they are designed to do: flex. But think of what happens in a hard corner; the centrifugal force of the corner makes the body want to fly off the road, but the sticky tires hold it as much as possible. Meanwhile your leaf springs are flexing horizontally due to the G-force of the corner. Now your path ahead turns the opposite direction which requires quick, precise steering. The rear end without a track bar is basically slamming around back there, side to side, fouling your handling.

A track bar prevents the side to side movement of the rear axel under your car, while not hindering the normal up / down movement for a better tuned suspension and handling.