Current revision

Custom caster rods (aka "castor rods" aka "tension rods" aka "radius rods" or "strut rods") are useful when you wish to add more caster. The 1200s rods are non-adjustable and subject to slight binding when a lot of caster is dialed-in.

For the stock item, see Tension Rod

1 Overview
2 Maddat
3 Torana Rods
4 Pitroad Rods
5 Nissan Competition
6 Photo Index

[edit]

Overview

Longer castor rods can be shortened to improve castor:
Album 1264

Adjustable rods, adjustable for castor, have more threads so they can be pulled farther in.
Jointed rods remove the slight binding effect

510/1600 rods
pivoting strut rods (sometimes seen in Japan)

[edit]

Maddat

Maddat caster bars allow a lot of adjustment, and are a lot stronger than the standard bars.

Product No ACK1200 Caster Adjuster Bar Kit (1200). Suits 1200, Stanza and Sunny with 46mm bolt spacing. These are machined from high-quality 4140 steel and heat-treated after forging to ensure that these are much stronger than original. Supplied with polyurethane bushes and finished in gloss black. These have a lot of adjustment.

Late 1200 (1976-up)
Album 13474 Album 26809

[edit]

Torana Rods

A set of GM LJ Torana rods that have adjustment, but drilling is required to fit the thicker rod to the body, and modifications need to be made to the rod to match the balljoints.

lc torana castor rods: Discussion of GM Holden Torana adjustable caster rods into Datsun 1200

Album 8711 Album 8712 Album 8713 Album 8758 Album 9433

[edit]

Pitroad Rods

Pitroad sells these mail-order: Pillow ball tension rod
Album 6391

The downside to this type is there is not much room for bushings. Datsun Competition recommended using stiff bushings, but not removing them completely.

[edit]

Nissan Competition

Tension/Compression Rod Bearing Kit. This kit prevents suspension geometry changes under high cornering forces, and reduces front end dive while braking. It retains the stock rear bush, but replaces the front bush with this easily-rotating bearing.

Album 15865

Experimental Engineering Tension/Compression Rod Bearing Kit. This kit fits: All 510, 610, 710, B210, 240Z, 260Z, 280Z, 280ZX, S12 200SX, & Z31 300ZX thru 7/87. This kit includes all parts necessary for one car, a 'U' shaped gauge for setting pre-load, and complete instructions.

Album 22125

The T/C Kit eliminates all rearward movement of the front wheels caused by bushing deflection. At the same time it reduces the amount of force required for the T/C rods to pivot during suspension travel by 75% vs. stock rubber and by up to 95% vs. polyurethane bushings. This is accomplished by replacing the forward bushings on the tension/compression rods (aka: strut rods) where they attach to the chassis with pivoting ball & socket joints. These joints completely eliminate all rearward deflection under driving, cornering, and braking loads. This insures that castor remains constant and toe changes under heavy braking and cornering loads are very nearly eliminated.

Album 22126