Tech Question - Wheel Hop

Mike,

My question revolves around wheel hop.
Here are my vehicle specs.
1966 Mustang Coupe 302
1990 stock motor - 225HP
Front suspension completely rebuilt with all new hardware and all poly bushings
Shelby 1 Inch A-arm drop and 1 Inch 620 Lb. lowering springs
Also upgraded with a larger sway bar
Rear suspension completely rebuilt as well with all new hardware and all poly bushings
EATON 1 Inch lowering springs 138 Lb. rate
With upgraded rear sway bar too
All four new KYB shocks
I have just upgraded to a limited slip rear and ever since then I have wheel hop. I have installed traction bars (slapper Bars) and still I can not stop the wheel hop. Between you and me, with my motor being low HP I am suprised I even have wheel hop. I believe the wheel hop is caused by the failure of the springs, so what can I do to stop my wheel hop?
Looking forward to your response.
Peter

Peter,

The reason rubber bushings are used in a suspension is because they provide "give". Poly/Urethane bushings do not. When power is applied there are a whole lot of things happening underneath the car. Things twist, they turn, they bend, they stiffen, and the rubber bushings provide the cushion or the compliance needed to allow all these things to happen.

When rubber is replaced with poly all the power caused things still happen but there is no allowance for the "giving" to happen. The energy caused by the power is stored in the springs and when the stored energy in the springs gets greater than the traction of the tires the tires slip and bounce, hence wheel hop.

Poly bushings are a great way to firm up a suspension but there is a drawback which you have found.

Two ways of solving your problem.

One - Go back to rubber for some of the bushings. The spring eye bushings will reduce or maybe even take away all the wheel hop.

The other way, if you want to keep all poly, is to replace the springs with 153 Lb. ones.

But be aware that no matter what you do there will always be some wheel hop with the use of all poly bushings.
-Mike