Do traction bars help ride quality?

Traction bars are primarily a traction-improvement device; they reduce axle wrap and wheel hop during heavy acceleration, but they are not a typical ride-quality upgrade. Depending on design, they can improve stability under throttle while potentially adding stiffness on rough roads, which can affect comfort. This article explains what traction bars do, how they influence ride quality, and how to choose a setup that matches your goals.

What traction bars are and how they work

Traction bars connect the rear axle to the vehicle frame to resist axle wrap caused by torque. They are common on leaf-spring and solid-axle suspensions and are used to keep tires planted during hard launches, improving traction and reducing wheel hop.

Types of traction bars

There are several common configurations, each with distinct motion constraints and ride implications:

• Ladder bars: Rigid links that reach from the axle to the frame, often paired with a crossmember; they’re effective at controlling wrap but can transmit more road feel.


• Traction arms or parallel-bar designs: Pivoting joints and bushings allow some movement, offering more compliance than ladder bars.


• Torque arms and related leaf-spring adapters: Simpler variants that limit axle rotation and can be lighter, with varying comfort impacts.

The overall effect on ride quality depends on the bar’s stiffness, mounting, and bushings, as well as how the rest of the suspension is tuned.

Impact on ride quality

Ride quality is influenced by how rigidly the bars constrain the rear axle and how they interact with the vehicle’s suspension setup. Consider the following:

• Stiffness and road feel: More rigid bars tend to transmit more road irregularities, which can make the ride feel harsher on rough pavement.


• Suspension compatibility: Shocks, springs, and other damping components often need to be tuned to compensate for the added stiffness.


• Articulation and travel: If bars overly limit axle movement, wheel contact with uneven surfaces can be affected, impacting comfort and grip.


• Potential ride benefits in certain scenarios: In high-torque launches, reduced wheel hop can produce a smoother initial acceleration feel for some drivers.

Overall, traction bars can improve control during acceleration but are not typically a ride-quality upgrade for everyday driving unless the rest of the suspension is properly tuned to maintain comfort.

Choosing a setup for your needs

To balance traction gains with ride comfort, consider these practical factors before installing traction bars:

• Design emphasis: For daily driving, prioritize designs with some compliance (e.g., bushings that absorb vibration) or adjustable length to tune stiffness.


• Vehicle compatibility: Ensure the bars match your rear suspension (leaf spring, solid axle, etc.) and axle width.


• Suspension tuning and installation: Upgraded shocks and springs, or adjustable dampers, may be needed to compensate for added stiffness; professional installation helps ensure proper alignment and clearance.

With careful selection and tuning, you can retain traction benefits while minimizing negative impacts on ride comfort.

Summary

Traction bars primarily enhance traction and reduce wheel hop, especially during hard acceleration. They are not inherently a ride-quality upgrade and can increase ride harshness on rough roads if not properly matched to the vehicle’s suspension. For smoother daily driving, prioritize damping upgrades and consider a design that emphasizes compliance, or consult a professional to tailor the setup to your vehicle and driving needs.

What are the benefits of traction bars?

Traction bars improve a truck's performance by reducing "axle wrap" (the twisting of the axle during acceleration), which leads to better traction, more stability, and a smoother ride. Key benefits include enhanced acceleration, prevention of wheel hop, reduced wear on drivetrain components like U-joints and the driveshaft, and increased control when towing heavy loads. They hold the rear axle in place, preventing it from twisting and maintaining correct suspension angles.
 
Performance and stability

• Improved acceleration: By preventing axle wrap, traction bars help keep tires planted for better power delivery. 
• Reduced wheel hop: They minimize the violent "hopping" motion of the wheels, resulting in a smoother and more controlled launch. 
• Enhanced stability: They reduce the unwanted twisting of the rear axle, which improves overall handling, cornering, and control, especially on uneven or loose surfaces. 

Drivetrain protection 

• Reduced wear and tear: By preventing the axle from twisting, they reduce stress on the driveshaft, U-joints, and other drivetrain components, extending their lifespan.
• Prevention of damage: This protection is crucial for trucks with high horsepower or those that frequently tow, as it prevents the axle from twisting to the point of breaking components. 

Towing and load-carrying 

• Better load-carrying control: They provide added stability and control when the vehicle is carrying heavy loads, such as a trailer. 
• Improved towing performance: They help a truck maintain balance and traction when towing, especially on inclines. 

Ride quality

• Smoother ride: While some fixed bars can lead to a stiffer ride, many designs allow for normal suspension travel, preventing the jolting and vibration often associated with wheel hop and axle wrap. 

What are the downsides of traction control?

Though traction control provides benefits, it can sometimes be an impediment to progress, such as when entering or leaving a parking space with rutted snow. Some systems are so sensitive that at the first sign of wheel slip, they immediately reduce power or apply the brakes so much that you go nowhere.

Do traction bars affect ride quality?

Traction bars play a crucial role by ensuring this angle remains optimal – enhancing ride quality and extending the life of your tires, u-joints, and more. This makes traction bars not just a handy accessory, but a vital player in your truck's health and performance.

Do sway bars affect ride quality?

Yes, sway bars affect ride quality, but the impact depends on the stiffness of the bar. A stiffer sway bar reduces body roll but can make the ride feel harsher over bumps because it connects the left and right wheels, making it more difficult for one wheel to move independently. A properly engineered or softer sway bar may have a minimal effect on ride quality, but an excessively stiff one will lead to a noticeably rougher, stiffer, or "skatey" ride. 
How sway bars affect ride quality 
This video explains the impact of sway bars on ride quality and handling: 56sDonutYouTube · May 13, 2020

• Stiff sway bars: Stiffer sway bars reduce a vehicle's body roll during turns, which improves handling and stability. However, because they link the wheels, a stiff sway bar will transmit a bump from one side of the car to the other. This can lead to a harsher ride and a feeling of the car being unsettled by uneven roads or potholes. 
• Soft sway bars: Softer sway bars allow for more independent movement between the left and right wheels. This can result in a more comfortable ride, especially on bumpy roads, but with more body roll during cornering. 
• Sway bar stiffness and handling: The relationship between a sway bar and ride quality is a trade-off between handling and comfort. Stiffening a sway bar improves handling by making the car flatter and more responsive in corners but degrades ride comfort. A well-engineered sway bar is designed to provide a balance between these two factors. 

Tuning ride quality with sway bars
This video explains how to tune ride quality with sway bars: 1mJulian EdgarYouTube · Apr 25, 2024

• For a more comfortable ride: If you have a vehicle with very stiff aftermarket sway bars, you can improve the ride quality by softening them. Softening a stiff front sway bar, for example, can reduce understeer and improve the ride over bumps, as shown in this YouTube video. 
• For improved handling: If you want to improve cornering stability without a significant negative impact on ride quality, it's best to ensure the sway bars are appropriately sized for your vehicle. Stiffening both front and rear bars or using a balanced setup can improve handling while maintaining a reasonable ride.