Rear end hopping? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

GODFATHER366 · 11-29-2012, 01:56 AM

I have a 35th anniversary LS1 vert lowered on eibach sport springs with 17/18 C5 Vette wheels. Now my question is if the ASR is off and the back tires start spinning I have to let off because the rear end just starts hopping like crazy. What causes this and how can I fix it?

IPT · 11-29-2012, 02:04 AM

common problem, and I am no pro, do a search and you'll find tons of info. What you will probably read about is the rear trailing arms, tie rods, and weak Sub frame bushings. Apparently wheel hop is common and a relatively easy fix.

CHMSC · 11-29-2012, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPT

common problem, and I am no pro, do a search and you'll find tons of info. What you will probably read about is the rear trailing arms, tie rods, and weak Sub frame bushings. Apparently wheel hop is common and a relatively easy fix.

he has you on the right track. I would suggest talking to one of the vendors here on the forum and they could tell you what you should replace and how much it will cost...as well as what will fit your budget to best solve your problem.

Apex Motorsports · 11-29-2012, 05:45 AM

Wheel hop is a violent and potentially damaging condition that typically occurs when the car is launched aggressively and is very simply a rapid and repeated loss and recovery of traction. When a car begins to accelerate various bushings and suspension/chassis components deflect. Under normal driving conditions this flexing is negligible but when the car is launched aggressively the deflection causes significant toe changes which reduce the contact patch of the rear tires. This leads to a reduction in traction and momentary wheel slippage which alleviates the toe changes and allows the rear tires to regrip. The vicious circle then continues as the suddenly improved traction again results in deflection and toe changes leading to wheel slippage. The frequency of the cycle is so rapid that it feels like the rear of the car is riding on jack hammers.

Getting rid of wheel hop is pretty easy for most Camaro SS owners. It is all about limiting the movement of the rear wheels in relation to the chassis under acceleration. The main culprits for the flexing are:

rear sub frame bushing
differential bushings
rear trailing arms
toe rods

Sometimes upgrading any one of these things can fix it, sometimes it takes all of them. It all depends on your car and how you use it. If you have any other questions feel free to shoot me a PM or give us a call.

2012InfernoSS · 11-29-2012, 06:09 AM

^ Do in the order Chase put down

jeremywes · 11-29-2012, 07:45 AM

All bushings fatigue over time and your 2002 probably needs some new bushings anyways plus changing to urthane will be like having a new car again.

GODFATHER366 · 11-29-2012, 10:59 PM

I knew I'd get to the culprit by posting on here. I'm sure y'all are correct as this beaut is 10yrs old.

Thanks guys!

Ventmaster · 11-30-2012, 10:30 AM

Check www.Spohn.net for your 4th Gen. needs!

Rob@WretchedMS · 11-30-2012, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ventmaster

Check www.Spohn.net for your 4th Gen. needs!

+1
None of the 5th gen parts are info is going to help a whole lot.

Spohn is the way to go on the 4th gen,
If you are interested in more info them let me know, we are a dealer for their products.

ssmike · 12-03-2012, 06:13 PM

I still have some wheel hop even though I replaced the trailing arms, outer bushings, and cradle inserts. I'm doing 3.91's this winter so I'm also replacing the differential bushings. Should I also replace the toe rods while I'm at it? If so, should I get the fixed or adjustable? I drive spirited street and possibly a couple road course/autocross events next year.

OP, I'm not too familiar with 4th gens but what Apex said makes a lot of sense to me!

caverman · 12-03-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssmike

I still have some wheel hop even though I replaced the trailing arms, outer bushings, and cradle inserts. I'm doing 3.91's this winter so I'm also replacing the differential bushings. Should I also replace the toe rods while I'm at it? If so, should I get the fixed or adjustable? I drive spirited street and possibly a couple road course/autocross events next year.

OP, I'm not too familiar with 4th gens but what Apex said makes a lot of sense to me!

Absolutely do the rear end bushings. They are a piece of cake while the diff is out.

It wouldn't hurt to do the toe rods from what I've researched. Your alignment might also make a difference. If you do your toe rods you'll need an alignment to use the specs from either Pedders or Pfadt to get an aggressive street alignment.

ssmike · 12-03-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caverman

Absolutely do the rear end bushings. They are a piece of cake while the diff is out.

It wouldn't hurt to do the toe rods from what I've researched. Your alignment might also make a difference. If you do your toe rods you'll need an alignment to use the specs from either Pedders or Pfadt to get an aggressive street alignment.

Should I get the adjustables or fixed? Are the adjustables so that you can dial in more toe?

caverman · 12-03-2012, 11:28 PM

I bought the fixed length ones. I think the adjustable would be for fine tuning.

ssmike · 12-04-2012, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caverman

I bought the fixed length ones. I think the adjustable would be for fine tuning.

Fixed it is! Apex Chase just offered the same advice via PM!

11-29-2012, 01:56 AM	#1
GODFATHER366 LS3 Drives: 2010 2SS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Kansass, Whitewater to be Exact!!!! Posts: 78	Rear end hopping? I have a 35th anniversary LS1 vert lowered on eibach sport springs with 17/18 C5 Vette wheels. Now my question is if the ASR is off and the back tires start spinning I have to let off because the rear end just starts hopping like crazy. What causes this and how can I fix it?

12-03-2012, 11:28 PM	#13
caverman Drives: '69 SS Convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 7,111	I bought the fixed length ones. I think the adjustable would be for fine tuning. __________________ *-2010 Camaro* 2SS \| M6 \| VR w/White Stripes \| 1 3/4" KOOKS - 3" Magnaflow \| LPE 3.91 gears \| ADM tuned \| Halltech w/ADM Scoop \| Spohn/BMR Trailing Arm/Toe Rod \| BC Coilovers\| Pedders FE4 ZL1 swaybars \| Cradle/Diff/Radius Rod bushings \| VMax TB \| Morimoto Projectors \| MGW shifter \| Red Calipers Build Journal

11-29-2012, 02:04 AM	#2
IPT Drives: '02 Trailblazer, '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: AK Posts: 819	common problem, and I am no pro, do a search and you'll find tons of info. What you will probably read about is the rear trailing arms, tie rods, and weak Sub frame bushings. Apparently wheel hop is common and a relatively easy fix.

11-29-2012, 05:45 AM	#4
Apex Motorsports Drives: 2000 Camaro SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 25,179	Wheel hop is a violent and potentially damaging condition that typically occurs when the car is launched aggressively and is very simply a rapid and repeated loss and recovery of traction. When a car begins to accelerate various bushings and suspension/chassis components deflect. Under normal driving conditions this flexing is negligible but when the car is launched aggressively the deflection causes significant toe changes which reduce the contact patch of the rear tires. This leads to a reduction in traction and momentary wheel slippage which alleviates the toe changes and allows the rear tires to regrip. The vicious circle then continues as the suddenly improved traction again results in deflection and toe changes leading to wheel slippage. The frequency of the cycle is so rapid that it feels like the rear of the car is riding on jack hammers. Getting rid of wheel hop is pretty easy for most Camaro SS owners. It is all about limiting the movement of the rear wheels in relation to the chassis under acceleration. The main culprits for the flexing are: rear sub frame bushing differential bushings rear trailing arms toe rods Sometimes upgrading any one of these things can fix it, sometimes it takes all of them. It all depends on your car and how you use it. If you have any other questions feel free to shoot me a PM or give us a call.

11-29-2012, 06:09 AM	#5
2012InfernoSS Drives: 93GMC sierra stepside/ ctsv3 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 914	^ Do in the order Chase put down

11-29-2012, 07:45 AM	#6
jeremywes Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 504 View My Garage	All bushings fatigue over time and your 2002 probably needs some new bushings anyways plus changing to urthane will be like having a new car again.

11-29-2012, 10:59 PM	#7
GODFATHER366 LS3 Drives: 2010 2SS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Kansass, Whitewater to be Exact!!!! Posts: 78	I knew I'd get to the culprit by posting on here. I'm sure y'all are correct as this beaut is 10yrs old. Thanks guys!

11-30-2012, 10:30 AM	#8
Ventmaster Drives: 2017 1SS 6spd Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 2,860	Check www.Spohn.net for your 4th Gen. needs!

12-03-2012, 06:13 PM	#10
ssmike BL1ZZRD Drives: '16 Camaro 2SS, '20 Equinox Redline Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 7,840	I still have some wheel hop even though I replaced the trailing arms, outer bushings, and cradle inserts. I'm doing 3.91's this winter so I'm also replacing the differential bushings. Should I also replace the toe rods while I'm at it? If so, should I get the fixed or adjustable? I drive spirited street and possibly a couple road course/autocross events next year. OP, I'm not too familiar with 4th gens but what Apex said makes a lot of sense to me!