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Re: Hoppin' Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Wed, 17 Apr 2002 10:50:26
In Reply to: Hoppin', Quasimotor, Tue, 16 Apr 2002 22:30:47 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
It's common on powerful FWD. When accelerating, the front wheels unweight, which reduces their traction. It's even worse when the wheels are turned. A tire has only so much traction - it uses it to put power down to the ground, or to turn. When asked to do both (turn and accelerate), there is even more traction 'required' than when just accelerating in a straight line.
Things that will affect wheel hop are power, anything that affects traction, and geometry. If you're car is running more power than stock, or you've got one of the nicely powerful 2.3T's, hop is more common. Traction is affected by road surface (rough or sandy), tire width, and tire traction. 'Sticky' tires are harder to spin than 'hard' tires. As an example, I've found most Michelins to be a harder tire than Pirelli. The Michelins last longer, but they're easier to spin. Wider tires have more tire patch, so they're less likely to spin.
Geometry can do a lot. Weak or tired shocks will cause more weight transfer backwards, unweighting the fronts. When you accelerate, there is a vertical component of force from the wheel. If the shocks are tired, the wheel will be able to move vertically a little - it's as if the car doesn't have as much weight over the front. If the tire can raise just enough, it'll lose traction and spin.
So yes, tired shocks can contribute to wheel spin/hop. None of my 9000Ts can do wheel hop on straight acceleration and dry, clean roads. But these are 2.0l turbos, stock, and saddled with an automatic. I can believe a nice '91 2.3T with a manual could get hop in first gear. If it seems excessive or worse than in years past, assume the shocks are tired, assuming the tires aren't badly worn.
Good luck!
posted by 140.157.4...
, Wed, 17 Apr 2002 10:50:26 <-- Viewing This Message
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