Hey guys,

Went out into the wilderness this last weekend. I had picked out a lake that i wanted to try and get to but unfortunately we were unable to get there because of excessive snow on the trail. We back tracked and settle in at another lake and still had a wicked camping trip.

While we were trying to traverse the snow, the truck was experiencing some pretty serious wheel hop. I was in 4 low and second gear and as soon as i got on the throttle the rear axle would start vibrating up and down pretty violently. This definitely affected our ability to get traction and get through the snow. 

In all the years I've been 4x4'ing I've never experienced wheel hop. OK fine, I've only been into wheeling for the last 4 years, but in that time I've had several different trucks, and never had that issue. I did some research and it sounds like excessive axle wrap is one of the leading causes of wheel hop. Has anyone else out there experienced axle wrap and it's related symptoms?

I can't help thinking that my rear shock (which are pretty much completely blown and basically do no dampening at all) must be contributing to the vibrations in the axle. What are your thoughts?

Anyways, here's a photo i took just before we got to the trail that ended up forcing us to turn around.

You should have a 5 link system (4 link with a track bar).  There will not be any axle wrap, even in the older Trackers with the 3 link system, unless the bushings were completely shot.   Both top and bottom of the axle are attached with links to frame and prevent the axle from rotating (on its own).  The track bar runs from one side of frame to other side of axle housing to keep the axle relatively in same position (sideways) as it travels up and down.

Hmmmm, so maybe a combination of worn out bushings and a major lack of dampening was causing the hop?? 

Bushings possible, dampners, defenitely.

Wheel hop is indicative of inadequate dampening for the spring rate.

wheel hop is the tire gaining traction and loading the suspension, then suddenly loosing traction and unloading the suspension causing a bounce forcing the tire downwards gaining traction and loading the suspension again cycling thru the whole mess over and over getting more violent with each cycle until the suspension cycles so far it hits the bump stops and starts breaking things.

Axle wrap is when leaf springs bend from torque loading them.

thanks talonxracer.

I guess i'll get on replacing my rear shocks and hope that helps resolve the issue. 

What fun little trucks!!  They just are a blast to drive and tinker with.  Buster just puts a smile on my face whether driving trails or country roads.

i know in wet snow it will do just that on probably 2nd or 3rd gear, i did that to mine this winter and on an old 88 ford ranger i had last year, other than the wet snow it will not do it at all. just a thought

i know in wet snow it will do just that on probably 2nd or 3rd gear, i did that to mine this winter and on an old 88 ford ranger i had last year, other than the wet snow it will not do it at all. just a thought

Yeah, like i said, I've never experienced it before in the Vitara or any other truck for that matter, but this was very wet snow. I've driven through plenty of snow but never had the truck start shaking like this. It wasn't fun 

Either way i need to replace my rear shocks, if that means it resolves the wheel hop issue, then that's a bonus.

Quote from: diftoyota on March 27, 2012, 09:58:42 AM

i know in wet snow it will do just that on probably 2nd or 3rd gear, i did that to mine this winter and on an old 88 ford ranger i had last year, other than the wet snow it will not do it at all. just a thought

Yeah, like i said, I've never experienced it before in the Vitara or any other truck for that matter, but this was very wet snow. I've driven through plenty of snow but never had the truck start shaking like this. It wasn't fun 

Either way i need to replace my rear shocks, if that means it resolves the wheel hop issue, then that's a bonus.

it will sure helps for sure, wheel hop is not a fun thing for sure, hard on the truck

I used to get that bad when in 2wd going uphill in soft silt/sand.  I took it as a not so subtle hint to stop immediately and put er in 4x4. Doesn't seem to happen (much) now that I have more aggressive tires.