Rear Trac Rod Relocation Bracket...Enlighten me

[PWillette]

During my recent Eibach 2.0 coilover install (settled at 2" of lift) I also installed a Metalcloak adjustable track rod. The 2" of lift resulted in the rear end being off-center by +/-.4"...the adjustable trac rod easily made the correction to center but with the 2" of lift the trac rod is no longer sitting horizontal. To correct this I purchased a Rock Jock trac rod relocation bracket from a forum member. I meet all of Rock Jock's requirements for fitment (Non-Sas w/ minimum 1.5" of lift and max 18" rear coil over compression) however after taking numerous measurements it appears that the relocation bracket will position the trac rod above horizontal in the opposite direction. The RJ bracket raises the trac rod connection point by +/-2.375" yet I only need +/-2" to get the trac rod to horizontal. Am I better off to just leave it 2" below horizontal on the passenger side or go with the bracket and be slightly above horizontal on the passenger side? Am I over thinking?

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[Pressurized]

A rear track bar bracket when mounted on the axle to raise the track bar changes the roll center geometry of the suspension. While it also will help to center the axle on a lifted vehicle, often while using the stock track bar it's main function is roll center correction.

With the raised roll center, the roll center location gets closer to the center of gravity of the vehicle. The closer the roll center is to the center of gravity, the less body roll you have going around corners. It helps to counter the additional height of a lift kit on solid axle vehicles by improving the handling characteristics.

 

[GreyZ]

During my recent Eibach 2.0 coilover install (settled at 2" of lift) I also installed a Metalcloak adjustable track rod. The 2" of lift resulted in the rear end being off-center by +/-.4"...the adjustable trac rod easily made the correction to center but with the 2" of lift the trac rod is no longer sitting horizontal. To correct this I purchased a Rock Jock trac rod relocation bracket from a forum member. I meet all of Rock Jock's requirements for fitment (Non-Sas w/ minimum 1.5" of lift and max 18" rear coil over compression) however after taking numerous measurements it appears that the relocation bracket will position the trac rod above horizontal in the opposite direction. The RJ bracket raises the trac rod connection point by +/-2.375" yet I only need +/-2" to get the trac rod to horizontal. Am I better off to just leave it 2" below horizontal on the passenger side or go with the bracket and be slightly above horizontal on the passenger side? Am I over thinking?

The relocation bracket is definitly the way to go for the best handeling. OME has one that I believe is less height. Reach out to them and see if it is closer to that 2" number.


Honestly the 2.375 would likely be totally fine. That means you are only .375" off from stock compared to 2" off.

 

[PWillette]

A rear track bar bracket when mounted on the axle to raise the track bar changes the roll center geometry of the suspension. While it also will help to center the axle on a lifted vehicle, often while using the stock track bar it's main function is roll center correction.

With the raised roll center, the roll center location gets closer to the center of gravity of the vehicle. The closer the roll center is to the center of gravity, the less body roll you have going around corners. It helps to counter the additional height of a lift kit on solid axle vehicles by improving the handling characteristics.

Thanks for the response. I understand and agree with your description. Based on all the numbers, the adjustable trac rod and the relocation bracket, I should be able to get the rod horizontal and dialed in to center which I understand is optimal for keeping the rear end centered during off-road maneuvers as well as going down the road. My question pertains to the trac rod relocated position post bracket install (on the passenger side) being slightly above horizontal vs. the current stock mounting position being 2" below horizontal (on the passenger side). Will it be detrimental if the bracket raises the track bar above horizontal on the passenger side?

 

[PWillette]

The relocation bracket is definitly the way to go for the best handeling. OME has one that I believe is less height. Reach out to them and see if it is closer to that 2" number.


Honestly the 2.375 would likely be totally fine. That means you are only .375" off from stock compared to 2" off.

Thanks. Can't seem to find any info on the OME product...any chance you have a part number or link?

 

[Pressurized]

Thanks for the response. I understand and agree with your description. Based on all the numbers, the adjustable trac rod and the relocation bracket, I should be able to get the rod horizontal and dialed in to center which I understand is optimal for keeping the rear end centered during off-road maneuvers as well as going down the road. My question pertains to the trac rod relocated position post bracket install (on the passenger side) being slightly above horizontal vs. the current stock mounting position being 2" below horizontal (on the passenger side). Will it be detrimental if the bracket raises the track bar above horizontal on the passenger side?

Not detrimental at all. The bar goes above horizontal during suspension travel anyways. To be fair, it's hard to feel anything with roll center correction of 2" or less. Where the roll center correction really shines is on lifts of 3" and more.

 

[PWillette]

Not detrimental at all. The bar goes above horizontal during suspension travel anyways. To be fair, it's hard to feel anything with roll center correction of 2" or less. Where the roll center correction really shines is on lifts of 3" and more.

So I'm overthinking...thanks

 

[Tricky Mike]

So I'm overthinking...thanks

Pretty much, but don't we all?

Send it. Put a level on your track bar after the install and I bet it will be pretty damn flat. There's Jeeps running around like this. (obviously that one is at full droop but I've seen them like that at ride height too)

 

[Strizzo]

You might have noticed that after your lift the rear tires being more jumpy over bumps when both tires hit at the same time. This is caused by the angle in the track bar, as it’s shifting the axle side to side as it cycles up and down. The relocation bracket should correct that for you.

As others have said it’s better to be off by only 3/8” than by 2”. Adjustable track bars are really just a bandaid when you don’t have a relocation bracket option to get the axle centered in the vehicle at ride height.

 

[PWillette]

You might have noticed that after your lift the rear tires being more jumpy over bumps when both tires hit at the same time. This is caused by the angle in the track bar, as it’s shifting the axle side to side as it cycles up and down. The relocation bracket should correct that for you.

As others have said it’s better to be off by only 3/8” than by 2”. Adjustable track bars are really just a bandaid when you don’t have a relocation bracket option to get the axle centered in the vehicle at ride height.

Makes sense. My reasoning for the adjustable track bar in conjunction w/ the relocation bracket was to enable me to get center dialed-in excat as well as give me some flexibilty to keep center if I decide to go up to 3".

 

[dgorsett]

You might have noticed that after your lift the rear tires being more jumpy over bumps when both tires hit at the same time. This is caused by the angle in the track bar, as it’s shifting the axle side to side as it cycles up and down. The relocation bracket should correct that for you.

As others have said it’s better to be off by only 3/8” than by 2”. Adjustable track bars are really just a bandaid when you don’t have a relocation bracket option to get the axle centered in the vehicle at ride height.

Yep, I've noticed a little bump steer on mine after 1.75 lift. I am Considering bracket.

 

[PWillette]

Yep, I've noticed a little bump steer on mine after 1.75 lift. I am Considering bracket.

For some reason I thought there were several different brackets available but have only been able to find the Rock Jock and the OME. Rock Jock states their's will work with any aftermarket track bar (or stock) so long as you have minimum 1.5" of lift (above non-sas) and rear coil over no less than 18" fully compressed or risk the bracket contacting the frame at full stuff. I reached out to Eibach who says the 2.0s are just under 17" fully compressed so I'm hesitant to install the RJ bracket. OME states their bracket is only compatible with OME track bars. Have you seen any other relocation brackets out there?

 

[dgorsett]

For some reason I thought there were several different brackets available but have only been able to find the Rock Jock and the OME. Rock Jock states their's will work with any aftermarket track bar (or stock) so long as you have minimum 1.5" of lift (above non-sas) and rear coil over no less than 18" fully compressed or risk the bracket contacting the frame at full stuff. I reached out to Eibach who says the 2.0s are just under 17" fully compressed so I'm hesitant to install the RJ bracket. OME states their bracket is only compatible with OME track bars. Have you seen any other relocation brackets out there?

Nope. But I haven't done much of a search. I have Bilstein 5100s which may compress to 16.xx I'll have to check, thanks for the heads up, that might be a universal problem. I used stock bump stops, that may help??

 

[dgorsett]

Checked Fabteh, for 3-4" lifts. RC has one for 0 to 7", but idk. I have such a slight bump steer issue with my 1.75" that the potential issues wouldn't be worth it. I only notice it on one particular road wit manholes not st properly to grade.

 

[dgorsett]

Nope. But I haven't done much of a search. I have Bilstein 5100s which may compress to 16.xx I'll have to check, thanks for the heads up, that might be a universal problem. I used stock bump stops, that may help??

Bilstein 5100s compressed are 17.11, bumpstops may help, but I think I'll drop the idea for now.

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