How to improve wheel hop.

[Petrolsmasher]

Hi all.

Im trying to improve wheel hop in my 240bhp FWD hot hatch and wondered if anyone had any ideas.

I dont mind the wheels spinning and i expect that and i back off the throttle when it happens, however i cant stand wheel hop where the wheels appear to bounce up and down as they try to gain traction, its loud and does not feel good for the car at all.

Would upgrading to polybushes help?
Ive got good tyres on so thats an area i cant change.
Ive already fitted a stiffer rear engine mount.

Would fitting an LSD help (The hop only really happens in a straight line)

[jagnet]

Has it always been an issue in this car or is it a more recent development? You didn't have issues a couple of years ago, is it still the same car? What have you modified? Aftermarket lowering springs too stiff? Wear in the suspension bushes? Steering geometry out?

[counterofbeans]

Petrolsmasher said:

I dont mind the wheels spinning and i expect that

Why don't you try driving properly i.e. not spinning the wheels.

[Petrolsmasher]

jagnet said:

Has it always been an issue in this car or is it a more recent development? You didn't have issues a couple of years ago, is it still the same car? What have you modified? Aftermarket lowering springs too stiff? Wear in the suspension bushes? Steering geometry out?

I had it before but changing tyres helped, the tyres i have on now have worn slightly (still 5.5mm) and it seems to have returned, they are goodyear tyres. Mileage is 35000, car is on lowering springs but has been for years.

[jagnet]

You say that it's returned, is that coinciding with colder weather?

[budgie smuggler]

I seem to recall being told worn suspension bushings or engine mounts can cause this when I had it.

[Dave.]

Fiesta St?

You need engines/gearbox mounts.... Google fiesta St wheel hop.

[Kev_Mk3]

Happens with nearly all hot / warm hatches these days. They recommend dog bone mount upgrades & tyres. I also recommend feathering the throttle in not mashing it.

[GreenV8S]

If you can avoid the wheelspin, that's the best way to go fast. Sliding tyres are losing grip.

If you have some urgent need to spin the wheels and can't fix the underlying problem causing the wheel hop, you will probably find you can damp it out by riding the clutch very slightly - not enough for the revs to rise but just enough to yield slightly when the transmission snatches. This gets rid of the feedback loop that causes the wheel hop. Yes, it's very bad for the transmission and something you really want to avoid.

[PositronicRay]

Petrolsmasher said:

Hi all.

Im trying to improve wheel hop in my 240bhp FWD

You've the basics for really good hop right there, try some knackered tyres, knackered shocks and poor clutch control.

[SturdyHSV]

Give it significantly more beans so there's no chance of them gaining any sort of grip, hop gone

On IRS RWD cars, some have found using significantly different dimension half shafts cures it. By some I mean GM for example with the 6th gen Camaro.