Active Toe Link - Bad?

[Turbo Shogun]

I have read a few articles regarding this aspect of an AWD DSM's rear suspension, and seen DSS's Rear-Toe Eliminator. Opinions? Reviews? Does the active-toe link really compromise performance that badly? And does the DSS elimiator kit work? What do you guys think?

 

[DragonKnight]

Here's an article on it:

http://www.taboospeedshop.com/atil.htm

From what I've read eliminating the active toe will give you better handling. Dunno if this is illegal to do in certain classes in autocross. I personally haven't done this yet. Then again, I haven't autocrossed the Laser enough times to find it irritating. I'm sure some of the more experienced autocrossers/track racers can give some more input.

 

[dsm1kenobe]

Here's what Martin from TSS told me when I inquired about pros and cons about toe eliminator kits...

"The active toe-link eliminator actually reduces tire wear since
the rear toe no longer changes any time you accelerate or brake. Incorrect toe will eat your tires as fast as incorrect camber. There are absolutely no cons to that modification, the benefits include more neutral feel of the car (no more understeer), faster 60-feet times and much better control during launch. If you ever noticed the front of the rear wheels spreading apart during a hard launch - which makes the car wander from side to side, that's what slows the car down and what's eliminated by welding the active links to the trailing arms so the toe-in can't change."

I can't really comment on the before and after effects of this mod, since I did the TSS camber, toe eliminator, RMDSM sway, RRE stb's and poly bushings all at once.

The only thing that limits my handling now is tire grip.

 

[Turbo Shogun]

Originally Posted By dsm1kenobe

welding the active links to the trailing arms so the toe-in can't change.

Then don't you sacrifice the tunability of the rear toe? I thought by buying the DSS T.E.K., you can hold the toe "as set"?

And correct me if I'm wrong, but...

Toe-out=More Oversteer
Toe-in=More Understeer



As for understeer, I can definitely vouch for the fact that since I had the car aligned, I've felt more of it on a tight course (they put factory settings back on the car). I think putting a TEK on the car will throw you into SM. Doesn't matter anyway for me, though, can't run ST with cams!

Oh, and kenobe, how're them polyurethane bushings workin' for ya? And what's up with that rumor that they crack after a year?

 

[NDgsx]

It's welding up the active toe link, not the eccentric bushing. Go take a look under your car at the actual trailing arm and it will make sense.

I did this mod two or three years ago, nobody made a kit then, I just bought some big washers and welded them in there. It helps to reduce understeer considerably as well as making the car more predictable.
You'll still have power on understeer problems, due to the open front diff.
The back end definetly feels looser on very tight slaloms. It takes a little while to get used to the change.