I've got a fairly torquey car so I ordered a set of traction bars from JClaw. Recently, I've been reading a few posts about their effect on alignment. Is it possible to prevent any adverse effects as I plan on having these on all the time?

 

I installed mine so that there was no pre-load on the bars. They are adjustable, so I set mine, after the LCA connections were tightened, so that the front mount bolts just slid into the holes.

This way, the LCAs can't move when your tires are pulling them, but during normal driving, your alignment isn't changed. Mine have been on for a couple of years, and after I bent them to clear the oil filter and automatic transmission and installed them, I haven't touched them.

The only problem is tire rub with some tires when making tight turns - I have polished parts on both bars. These are JClaw's first-generation Jbars - I like 'em.....

Also, the car steers much better through the corners with them on...

 

So you installed them with the front end jacked up?

 

They have to be adjusted with the front suspension loaded (for the length). Especially since the max is so front heavy. Ideally you take a car freshly out of the alignment shop, install everything except the end that connects to the front tow hook bracket, then when the suspension is loaded, you adjust the correct length equal on both sides since you know your alignment has just been done.

This even turns as an advantage on a badly aligned car. The VQ35 4.5 gen these were first tested on had a funny alignment, so I used the bars to correct the problem. A few more turns on the driver side, and the car went straight.

I realized just how much sense it made to have a link from the chassis (solid) to the LCA when I bought my S13: 240s come stock with similar bars, except they are heavy and only have one big mushy rubber link instead of two rod ends. I ripped them out and made two traction bars with 2 rod ends on both sides just like for the max. Only difference is that they are shorter, and that I cant really call them traction bars on a RWD car.

One of the many reason I am eager to drive it and see how the suspension reacts to all the changes Ive made.

Most people never had that problem (including me) but if I recall you have or had pretty wide tires on there...

 

So you're saying, ideally, get an alignment and install rods on the LCAs while the suspension is unloaded (e.g. in the air) and then finalize the installation when the car is back on the ground?

 

I have no effects on my alingment due to the traction bars. I can see this being an issue to someone with shot control arm bushings, but if they are in good shape (or urethane in my case) you shouldnt have a problem at all with alignment.

My tires rub as well on the bars just before full lock turns, but its way at the end so its a negligable thing. I rock 235/45-17s

JClaw, those bars at the front of the 240, I believe they are called tension bars. For the ones you made.... "JTensionClaws"? lol j/k I love driving the car with the traction bars. Highway driving is amazing, turns are much more controlled.

 

No install everything BUT the front link to the tow hooks. Let the bars hang down with only the LCA link installed. Install the tow hook bracket, then lower the car and THEN install the front link. If you install the whole thing while in the air you will put a lot of stress on everything.

The install is so simple in fact, towards the end I could do it without even jacking the car. I simply turned the wheels all the way to one side, then the other.

Yeah those are pretty wide. Most never go past 225 on the front of a max. The front fender wells are made for 205s stock.

Yeah those tension rods do everything except kill wheelhop on the S13. Solid front end feel and all. To kill wheelhop on the 240 you need solid subframe bushings in the rear.

 

Crap, so my 245s are going to rub...

 

I had them installed with 235s and had no tire rubbing and full steering range.

 

so I guess 275 race rubber is a no-go?

 

When I had 275's on my 18x9 evo5's I could NOT make full turns. They are a 33 offset.

 

are these traction bars still in production? if so what are they going for?