Let's have a technical discussion on Track Bars. I want to avoid getting into "what size lift warrants adjustable track bars, etc". Purely a technical discussion on geometry and how it works.
Here's what I've understood from my research. I'm not stating these as "facts" at all. I know nothing. My goal is to learn (1) because its fun and (2) I want to build my jeep properly. Here is what I think I understand...followed by a few comments/questions.
FRONT TRACK BAR:
One end of it connects to the chassis/frame. The other end connects to the axle. It does a couple of things. It controls the lateral relationship between the Jeep and the front axle (for example, it holds the axle centered under the jeep if set up properly).
If you visualize a "Z" with the top line being the Jeep Frame, The bottom line being the front axle, and the connecting line being the front track bar (looking head on from the front of the Jeep) it become very obvious and easy to understand what happens when we lift a Jeep. When we lift a jeep, in other words, increase the distance between the top line and the bottom line, the track bar acts as a pendulum. In our "Z", we can see that as we increase the distance (lift) between the top and bottom lines, the bottom line will NEED to move to the right relative to the top line. The track bar doesn't change length, so the bottom line (front axle) NEEDS to move to the right relative to the top line (chassis/Jeep).
It then becomes easy to understand where an "Adjustable Track Bar" comes into play. By replacing the stock (static) track bar with an adjustable one, we can lengthen that connecting line in the "Z". When we lengthen that line (track bar), the bottom line (axle) NEEDS to shift to the left relative to the Jeep. Thus, if we adjust it properly, we can recenter the axle after we lift the Jeep.
A centered axle is important for many reasons. Straight tracking, avoiding unneccesary pressure on other components by being shifted, etc. I think its safe to say a centered front axle is the goal (though I understand there may be variances that are within an acceptable range).
So, assuming my thinking is correct, I have questions about the rear track bar.
The rear track bar seems to be the forgotten, ugly twin of the front track bar :rofl: Seriously, seems like it doesn't get addressed and I want to understand why.
For example, even in the AEV kit, they handle the rear track bar by doing a higher tower. However, this simply moves the roll center...and to my knowledge isn't doing anything to compensate for the axle shift the MUST have occurred for the rear axle when we do a lift (remember the Z...same for the rear, but a backwards Z).
How come?
I feel like the right way to do my lift is to have adjustable track bars front and rear. Comments?
Thanks. I hope that the responses/thread will serve to help others too. Just a few short weeks ago...I had no idea what ANY part was called or what it did. But now...I'm hooked and I love it.
Here's what I've understood from my research. I'm not stating these as "facts" at all. I know nothing. My goal is to learn (1) because its fun and (2) I want to build my jeep properly. Here is what I think I understand...followed by a few comments/questions.
FRONT TRACK BAR:
One end of it connects to the chassis/frame. The other end connects to the axle. It does a couple of things. It controls the lateral relationship between the Jeep and the front axle (for example, it holds the axle centered under the jeep if set up properly).
If you visualize a "Z" with the top line being the Jeep Frame, The bottom line being the front axle, and the connecting line being the front track bar (looking head on from the front of the Jeep) it become very obvious and easy to understand what happens when we lift a Jeep. When we lift a jeep, in other words, increase the distance between the top line and the bottom line, the track bar acts as a pendulum. In our "Z", we can see that as we increase the distance (lift) between the top and bottom lines, the bottom line will NEED to move to the right relative to the top line. The track bar doesn't change length, so the bottom line (front axle) NEEDS to move to the right relative to the top line (chassis/Jeep).
It then becomes easy to understand where an "Adjustable Track Bar" comes into play. By replacing the stock (static) track bar with an adjustable one, we can lengthen that connecting line in the "Z". When we lengthen that line (track bar), the bottom line (axle) NEEDS to shift to the left relative to the Jeep. Thus, if we adjust it properly, we can recenter the axle after we lift the Jeep.
A centered axle is important for many reasons. Straight tracking, avoiding unneccesary pressure on other components by being shifted, etc. I think its safe to say a centered front axle is the goal (though I understand there may be variances that are within an acceptable range).
So, assuming my thinking is correct, I have questions about the rear track bar.
The rear track bar seems to be the forgotten, ugly twin of the front track bar :rofl: Seriously, seems like it doesn't get addressed and I want to understand why.
For example, even in the AEV kit, they handle the rear track bar by doing a higher tower. However, this simply moves the roll center...and to my knowledge isn't doing anything to compensate for the axle shift the MUST have occurred for the rear axle when we do a lift (remember the Z...same for the rear, but a backwards Z).
How come?
I feel like the right way to do my lift is to have adjustable track bars front and rear. Comments?
Thanks. I hope that the responses/thread will serve to help others too. Just a few short weeks ago...I had no idea what ANY part was called or what it did. But now...I'm hooked and I love it.