Cal trac explanation please

Posted By: Von

Cal trac explanation please - 04/28/09 02:30 AM

Wondering if I could get an indepth explanation of Cal tracs and how they work. Im pretty chassis remedial.

When do you add more preload? When do you need to take away preload? When to use the top hole, bottom hole etc?

My car (72RR cal tracs with monos) with Ranchos set on 9 separates the body pretty badly. Any adjustments to make with the cal tracs to help this? This was with 1/4 turn preload on both sides. The 60 is very inconsistent, hooks one pass, spins the next, etc. Using MT ET radials, 275/60/15 at 18.5 PSI. Cal trac front shocks, 4.5 inches of travel.

Thanks for any help.

Posted By: sixpackgut

Re: Cal trac explanation please - 04/28/09 02:36 AM

they prevent the front segment of the spring to wrap up.

top hole for low hp hard hit on the tire

bottom hole for softer hit in higher hp app

set bars till they touch, add preload to right bar till it goes straight

Posted By: Von

Re: Cal trac explanation please - 04/28/09 02:47 AM

Quote:

they prevent the front segment of the spring to wrap up.

top hole for low hp hard hit on the tire

bottom hole for softer hit in higher hp app

set bars till they touch, add preload to right bar till it goes straight

Thanks!!

On the preload part, you can ask 20 guys and get 20 different answers on how to set it.

Am I right that the less preload the harder it hits the tire?

Posted By: sixpackgut

Re: Cal trac explanation please - 04/28/09 03:01 AM

Quote:

Quote:

they prevent the front segment of the spring to wrap up.

top hole for low hp hard hit on the tire

bottom hole for softer hit in higher hp app

set bars till they touch, add preload to right bar till it goes straight

Thanks!!

On the preload part, you can ask 20 guys and get 20 different answers on how to set it.

Am I right that the less preload the harder it hits the tire?

well, maybe but i wouldnt want space in the front lever hitting the spring hard. you would be letting the pinion rotate up by doing that. so yes, it may cause a hard hit but it may also break a spring especially if they are stock springs

most cars will go to the right off the hit. add only the amount of prload needed to make the car go straight. if the car goes left, you may have to much preload in the right bar.

Posted By: moparniac

Re: Cal trac explanation please - 04/28/09 09:31 AM

any special wrenches.. mine are all long and cant make adjustments without jacking the car up on ramps to have on its suspension.....

Posted By: GomangoCuda

Re: Cal trac explanation please - 04/28/09 11:24 AM

Quote:

any special wrenches.. mine are all long and cant make adjustments without jacking the car up on ramps to have on its suspension.....

Buy a cheap wrench and cut it half. The nuts don't have to be real tight. Just snug enough to lock the threads.

Posted By: HMcCandless_Jr

Re: Cal trac explanation please - 04/28/09 11:37 AM

We put them on our wagon stocker, 1/2 turn preload on each side. Made 7 passses within .003 60 foot. I have never run them but will always on everything going forward.

This is a crate motor 67 Coronet Wagon.

Herb McCandless Jr

Posted By: 340Cuda

Re: Cal trac explanation please - 04/29/09 01:31 AM

Von,
These are the instructions they gave me when I got mine several years ago:

Top Hole � Hardest Hit (start here)

Bottom Hole � Softer Hit, moves IC forward

More Pre-load, Softer Hit

Less Pre-load, air gap, harder hit

If car pulls to the right add a quarter turn of pre-load to the right bar and visa versa.

Set front shocks soft

Set rear shocks on #5, if car wants to porpoise go to 6 or 7 (harder).

If car spins, needs harder hit, go softer

Too much wheelstand�. Softer hit, restrict front travel

Good Luck,
Bill

Posted By: sixpackgut

Re: Cal trac explanation please - 04/29/09 02:51 AM

Quote:

Von,
These are the instructions they gave me when I got mine several years ago:

Top Hole � Hardest Hit (start here)

Bottom Hole � Softer Hit, moves IC forward

More Pre-load, Softer Hit

Less Pre-load, air gap, harder hit

If car pulls to the right add a quarter turn of pre-load to the right bar and visa versa.

Set front shocks soft

Set rear shocks on #5, if car wants to porpoise go to 6 or 7 (harder).

If car spins, needs harder hit, go softer

Too much wheelstand�. Softer hit, restrict front travel

Good Luck,
Bill

i've never seen that but i had a freind with caltracs set his so the lever would slam the spring and his car looked like a basket ball going down the track. he took them off and put on ladders

Posted By: 340Cuda

Re: Cal trac explanation please - 04/29/09 12:02 PM

[quote
i've never seen that but i had a freind with caltracs set his so the lever would slam the spring and his car looked like a basket ball going down the track. he took them off and put on ladders

Sounds like he was set for too hard a hit with his shocks set to soft. Ladder bars are probably best for him.

Posted By: Von

Re: Cal trac explanation please - 04/30/09 02:22 PM

Quote:

Von,
These are the instructions they gave me when I got mine several years ago:

Top Hole � Hardest Hit (start here)

Bottom Hole � Softer Hit, moves IC forward

More Pre-load, Softer Hit

Less Pre-load, air gap, harder hit

If car pulls to the right add a quarter turn of pre-load to the right bar and visa versa.

Set front shocks soft

Set rear shocks on #5, if car wants to porpoise go to 6 or 7 (harder).

If car spins, needs harder hit, go softer

Too much wheelstand�. Softer hit, restrict front travel

Good Luck,
Bill

Thanks Bill!

That is what I was looking for.

Gonna try using the top hole as Ive been in the bottom hole. I for sure dont have a high HP combination.