How to preload ladder bars?

Posted By: sixpacksteve

How to preload ladder bars? - 04/13/14 05:10 PM

my 68 race dart had the 8 3/4 4:10 spool all new. didn't think it would hold. No surprise. it didn't. just narrowed a Dana 60 w/spool i need to preload the ladder bars. i know how to square the rear. but after that Whats the correct way to preload and adust for compensation?

Posted By: Sammy

Re: How to preload ladder bars? - 04/13/14 05:35 PM

The drivers side is or pinion angle which I like at 1.5 degrees down and on passenger side, I put weight in the drivers side to simulate the actual weight of the racer and turn bar so I have neutral preload.
That being that the bolt going through the heim end goes in and out with no bind.

Posted By: B G Racing

Re: How to preload ladder bars? - 04/13/14 05:41 PM

Always start with neutral pre-load unless you are scaling the car.If your scaling the car(race ready) start with 20 to 30 pounds more on the passenger rear than on the drivers rear,adjust as needed from that point.

Posted By: sixpacksteve

Re: How to preload ladder bars? - 04/13/14 06:47 PM

Ok when i adjust what am i countering which way or the other? this is new to me i like leaf springs. but thats old news. if car pulls say right what bar and side do i adjust and which way?

Posted By: B G Racing

Re: How to preload ladder bars? - 04/13/14 07:35 PM

Quote:

Ok when i adjust what am i countering which way or the other? this is new to me i like leaf springs. but thats old news. if car pulls say right what bar and side do i adjust and which way?

If the car pushes right add pre-load on the right(passenger) bar.Don't go more than 1/2 or 1 flat at a time.The left bar(drivers side) should be adjusted for pinion angle and the right(passenger side is where you want to adjust for any pre-load if needed.The best way is to scale the car and take the guess work out of the equation.Once you set the car to weight you mark your adjuster.This will be your baseline to work from,a starting point if you need recall how much you move the bar,shorten the bar from you base setting will add pre-load.

Posted By: Sammy

Re: How to preload ladder bars? - 04/13/14 08:54 PM

If you do it my way, you won't have to worry which way to go.
Don't worry about scaling your car. Set your front first with torsion bars so you have correct ride height, then go to the rear.

My dart always leaves straight even though I do a lot of street driving, when I go to Numidia or Maple Grove, I always go straight.

Posted By: AAR-B4

Re: How to preload ladder bars? - 04/13/14 10:15 PM

Easiest method and always works for me:
Park on level floor, put your weight in the seat, set your ride height, air pressures, what ever else.......
Adjust the drivers side ladder bar so the front heim bolt will slip in and out.
Now pull the bolt and adjust so that the heim is 1/2 bolt hole below the hole. Jack the bar up and insert the bolt.
You are now close enough to go to the track and test.