Using trac bars to adjust pinion angle

[mciahpv]

Does anybody have any advice on setting preload with traction bars? I'm running 8" Superlift springs on my '86 K5 and recently went to the ORD shackle flip kit (GREAT product, btw) Anyway, doing away with my 4" blocks rotated my pinion upwards. I was already running Superlifts Trac bars, which attach to the floater plate on top of the spring pack. These were installed by someone else, so I don't know how they set the preload. They only have adjustments on one end, so you have to set the length before installing (can't add/remove pressure like with a double heim joint or 4-link)

Anybody have any suggestions? I know I should probably just shim it, but even then I'll need to adjust these things correctly to avoid axle wrap. Do I compress/droop the springs to get movement, then attach? Do I do the same on both sides, or do I want competing pressure to stabilize the axle? Or should I ditch this setup altogether and go to a ladder bar or similar set up? I hear L&L makes a decent set.

Here's a couple of pics to illustrate, and thanks in advance for the advice...

 

[6.2Blazer]

I don't believe there should be any preload on the traction bars, rather the adjustment is just for length. It is also not the correct method to adjust the pinion angle as all it would do is to put excess pressure on the springs and cause binding.

In any case, with 8" rear Superlift springs I doubt you have any real need for traction bars anyway.

 

[BigOrange90Jimmy]

I second the above.

 

[RingMaster4x4]

I would remove the shim that is on the spring pack and see how it looks then. maybe all you need or a smaller one.

 

[RingMaster4x4]

ooops sorry missed where you said you know about the shims. No I would not use the trac bar to adjust it too much stress on the bars

 

[mciahpv]

You really think I don't need the bars? I added them because soon after swapping in the Superlift springs, I was experiencing a LOT of pinion movement up and down whenever I torqued on it. (Of course, that was before the shackle flip when I still had 4" blocks.) The trac bars seemed to stop the pinion movement.

I noticed that I was seeing some of this movement again after the shackle flip, which is what made me think that I needed to adjust the trac bars/preload.

Thanks for all the help...