Rear end hopping...

[dafirebird]

I have a 2002 Firebird, W68 (sport appearance), F41 (suspension, firm ride, handling). It feels like the rear end "hops" when going over a good bump; especially a wide bump that goes accross the whole lane. Anyone else feel this? My gf notices it as well, and I wonder if other drivers see this hop as well, thinking geez, look at that Firebird jumpin' around on the road. I have replaced the rear shocks 'cuz original ones were dead. I have felt this since day 1 (5 years ago), just askin'.

[venom3300]

Re: Rear end hopping...

i only notice it when i spam the gas on a tight turn ;)

[Fondle]

Re: Rear end hopping...

its probably because your loosing traction and regaining traction real quick so it feels like that, mine does the same if i go fast over a dip

[Den69RS96]

Re: Rear end hopping...

Its one of the drawbacks of having a car with a solid rear axle with a pretty stiff suspension. Going over bumps especially around corners unsettles the rearend. All the car mags used to comment on this.

[venom3300]

Re: Rear end hopping...

Its one of the drawbacks of having a car with a solid rear axle with a pretty stiff suspension. Going over bumps especially around corners unsettles the rearend. All the car mags used to comment on this.

ya the new mustang (still has sold rear axle) is said to drive like an old "relic" compared to the new camaro and challanger (both have IRS).... i remeber reading that in a magazine, but idk which one of my 50 it was lol

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Rear end hopping...

Yeah, it's mainly the solid axle that will get you that feeling. There is one bump around an on ramp I take on a regular basis that I always felt a jump with the maro. My Buick doesn't give that same feeling though, with my IRS, nor to the other cars I've driven over it with, which all have IRS, except the truck, which I feel jump as well.

[dafirebird]

Re: Rear end hopping...

Yeah - it is pretty stiff suspension - I feel like it's eventually gonna tear the car up, and I don't ever drive it very hard, ever! The only time it's nice is when you can do one of those loooong, 360* off ramps at 65mph, and some nice cornering.

I wonder if it's noticable by other drivers to see the car in front of them jump or hop around......when I see other Birds/Maro's I try to watch, but difficult 'cuz I'm driving too.

So the new 'Maro has IRS - NICE!! Might have to get me one of those (in a couple years).

[pace2006]

Re: Rear end hopping...

Its one of the drawbacks of having a car with a solid rear axle with a pretty stiff suspension. Going over bumps especially around corners unsettles the rearend. All the car mags used to comment on this.

Yeah, it's mainly the solid axle that will get you that feeling. There is one bump around an on ramp I take on a regular basis that I always felt a jump with the maro. My Buick doesn't give that same feeling though, with my IRS, nor to the other cars I've driven over it with, which all have IRS, except the truck, which I feel jump as well.

These are good explanations for why you're "hopping" over poor road conditions and bumps. Good shocks (ie. not stock replacements) will make a noticeable difference. There are some places around here, ie. 90* entrance ramp and old frost heaves, that would cause my car to hop so much it would jerk the nose around with the stock shocks. I just installed some Konis, linear rate springs, and Moog LCA bushings, and it all has helped with bumps and road irregularities so much. A day and night difference in rebound and dampening.

If you want to get even further into planting the rear of the car, a good adjustable panhard rod or even Watt's Link will help. But that's more money.

[dafirebird]

Re: Rear end hopping...

Hmmm, sounds like some decent shocks, and maybe even an adjustable panhard rod is in my future...

thanx guys......

[BallerMaro13]

Re: Rear end hopping...

Yeah, it's mainly the solid axle that will get you that feeling. There is one bump around an on ramp I take on a regular basis that I always felt a jump with the maro. My Buick doesn't give that same feeling though, with my IRS, nor to the other cars I've driven over it with, which all have IRS, except the truck, which I feel jump as well.

lol schlotzky i love that ur gangster @ss buick has an easier time on the roads...it is quite the dream machine i gotta say

[RPDRed6]

Re: Rear end hopping...

lol schlotzky i love that ur gangster @ss buick has an easier time on the roads...it is quite the dream machine i gotta say

hahahaha gotta love those buicks, i had the same problem with my camaro when i first bought it

[chevy3504me]

Re: Rear end hopping...

Prolly shocks. Ive seen independent suspenion bounce like basketballs due to worn shocks. Go to autozone and get the HD bilsteins.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Rear end hopping...

Sure, my lca/sfc/stb/phb/springs and shocks help with it, but the maro still jumps around that corner. There's just nothing that's going to help the solid axle in this case, other than maybe some super soft springs out back, but that's obviously not desirable on an f-body.

Of course, the op doesn't seem to be complaining of this problem around corners, so yes, shocks will probably make all the difference.

And you're right, BallerMaro, it is a dream machine..lol

[dafirebird]

Re: Rear end hopping...

Of course, the op doesn't seem to be complaining of this problem around corners, so yes, shocks will probably make all the difference.

Well, yeah, it jumps around on corners too, if you hit a bump or pothole while makin the corner - I would expect that 'cuz your torquin' and twistin' things around.

I replaced the rear shocks with oem recently, 'cuz it got to the point where the rear axle was bouncing alot, and felt weak. I'ts better now that it doesn't "shake" the axle with new shocks, but it's just back to the "normal" jump.

Kind of reminds me of an old Model "T" joke about a guy who wanted to sell a speedometer to a "T" owner; he replied:

I don't need a speedo, 5 mph the fender rattles, 10 mph my teeth rattle, 15 mph the trans drops out!

I don't mind the rough ride, it's part of driving these cars. I suppose softer springs might help, but also defeat the purpose. I was just wondering if it was just me, or maybe a different type of shock; and it seems Bilsteen might be the way to go to....

[ssms5411]

Re: Rear end hopping...

I have no problems around corners , but for the OP, LCA's and shocks/springs and maybe a tunnel mount TQ arm(That was my best suspension mod as in traction) for traction. And for corners sway bars ,SFC's springs /shocks tires and adj. Panhardrod and maybe a STB(mine I could tell a difference others not, just personal opinion.