Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) rear axle hop

[rkaspar]

I get a harsh axle hop when in snow in my rig. 4-5" of snow will just make the truck hop like crazy in the rear end. My rig is an ex-cab long box 4x4 w/ limited slip. about the only way to mimumize it is to shift into 4 low, a pain in butt when trying to make time on a trapline. Is this axle hop more prevailent in longer wheel base trucks like mine. can anhything be done to lessen it?



thanks

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

A good set of traction bars will eliminate it. Or I've heard new rear springs that eliminate the spacer block will also cure it.



Dan

 

[McCRam]

I have the same problem. My rear springs have squated quite a bit. I am going to replace the rear springs with a custom set so that I can remove the rear lift blocks. We have a 98. 5 that doesn't hop nearly as bad, although it doesn't have a limited slip. That could make a difference.

 

[Tcolesanti]

I built my own traction bars to correct that very condition. My truck without the bars, was extremely violent on the street, let alone in the sand/snow/mud. Now, I have "0" axle wrap, or wheel hop with the traction bars.

 

[RHARVEY]

I have a set from Rob Thomas. They came powder coated and all the hardware. Since we bought our new 5th wheel my truck was having a real bad axle roll. This set of bars really work...

I have pictures in my gallery of them installed.



Rick

 

[isb360]

Those bars from Rob Thomas look like they're well made. Please describe the installation procedure and length of time it took for you to install them.



My 98. 5 dually has nasty axle hop when I launch hard on the strip/street and has a problem in snow also.



Thank you.



Tim

 

[Dane]

Getting rid of the lift blocks will help lots, but to completely eliminate the hop you need traction/ladder bars.

 

[Hohn]

My axle hop has all but disappeared.



I took a 4. 5" grinder with cutoff wheel to the rear leaf packs and surgically removed the bottommost overload leaf (the thick one). As a result, the ride is slightly improved and the rear springs are ruined.



Yes-- ruined. They don't really sag yet, but they will eventually be shaped like a "W". The rear leaf packs on our trucks are DESIGNED to have that overload leaf in there to distribute the load across the pack. By shortening this leaf to about the length of the spacer block, I have concentrated the load in the center of the pack, and the springs will fail eventually.



I should have called Kent and ran this by him before I did it. I was desperate to soften the ride. It DID soften the ride, but this isn't the way you want to do it.



DO NOT DO WHAT I DID.



jlh

 

[Forrest Nearing]

will removing the lift block on a 2wd help axle hop as well?

 

[McCRam]

Im sure it would Forrest. Anytime you shorten the distance between the spring and the axle, the less leverage the axle will have on the spring.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

that's kinda what I figured... thanks!



Forrest

 

[rkaspar]

can someone post a link to a supplyer that carries traction bars. I'm not really familiar with them, thanks for all replys guys.

 

[BarryG]

I just installed a set of traction bars that I got from member LSFARM (greg long) this past weekend. I tried getting a set from Rob Thomas but never could get a hold of him, then was told he quit making them. Stephan at DTT told me about Gregs. So I contacted him. They look very much like Robs did/do. The install was easy. Took me about an hour and a half or so taking my time. Drilled four holes and the rest was all bolt on. They are very stout. It has definitely eliminated my axle wrap problem. I had a very bad axle wrap problem after I had my transmission DTT'd. When pulling my trailer at certain times I had a violent vibration from the center of the truck upon hard acceleration between 60 and 65mph. When I called Bill at DTT about that problem he said oh yeah we see that sometimes just lower your center carrier bearing about 1/2 an inch. So I did and that fixed the trailering issue. Also empty at slow speeds/ low acceleration between the first and second shift I could literally feel my pinion angle moving up and down sort of like a bounce. It was annoying the heck out of me and couldnt be good for the driveline. That coupled with the wheel hop in the soft stuff made me decide to get some. Sure glad I did. It is now rock solid. Wish I would have done it years ago now after having them on only a few days.



Other benefits I have noticed are seems to corner a little better and the expansion joint bounce is now different not as bouncy but a bit stiffer bounce. Also when going around a turn and hit a bump, hole or whatever the rearend doesnt seem to bounce over. There is a rut in the pavement that I go over everyday that is right where you have to put on the brakes and it always made my brakes stutter that is also gone now. When I go over that rut it just feels like a bump no brake stutter. Sorry that may not be a good description but just dont know how else to describe it.



CalTracs is also getting ready to make some for our trucks if they havent already.

 

[isb360]

BarryG, thanks for the good info. I have the brake stutter problem you are talking about when braking and I hit an expansion joint, etc.



Tim

 

[I-6DZL]

go to www.greatlakesdieselworks.com for a picture (not a very good one) of LsFarm's traction bars. Excellent set.



Curtis

 

[SKneeland]

you're right, unfortunately the pictures at http://www.greatlakesdieselworks.com/ are horrible



hop starting to get worse and worse here too, looking for options



4 link would be nice , anyone have any links to good kits?

 

[I-6DZL]

If you would like a better picture PM LsFarm (member here) and he should be able to help you.



Curtis