Wheel hop under power? What's causing it and what fixes it
Wheel hop is the rear tyres gripping and releasing in quick bursts, usually because the rear suspension can't keep up with the grip. Thicker rear shock oil, a slightly harder rear tyre and less ESC punch cure most of it.
Why it happens
Under throttle the rear squats, grips, unloads, grips again. If the damping is too light, or the tyre grips harder than the suspension can manage, you get the skipping feel and a car that's hard to control on the straights.
Check in this order
- Rear shock oil. Go two steps thicker. Thin oil lets the rear bounce.
- Shocks. Check both rear shocks are smooth, equal and not leaking; one soft shock causes hop on one side.
- Rear tyre. A slightly harder compound reduces the grip spikes.
- ESC punch and throttle. Lower the punch setting one step; hop often starts with the throttle, not the suspension.
- Rear droop. Too much droop lets the rear unload fully; reduce it a touch.
Parts that fix it
- Shock oil in a range of weights: Shock oil
- Replacement shock seals and shafts: Damper
- Rear compounds: Drift Tyres
FAQ
Is wheel hop caused by the tyres or the suspension? Both. The tyre creates the grip; the suspension has to control it. Change the damping first because it's cheaper and reversible.
Does thicker or thinner shock oil fix wheel hop? Thicker at the rear. It slows the squat-and-release cycle that causes the hop.
Can a motor or ESC cause wheel hop? Yes. A harsh throttle punch sends grip in spikes. Lower punch or soften the throttle curve.