The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Rear Wheel Hopping

Since I have installed my T-5 transmission and dumped the torque tube, I now have a problem if my rear wheels break loose on the pavement on acceleration. The rear wheels will hop - a bunch! I understand why with the torque tube, this didn't happen (that's a good thing about torque tubes). I don't know why it's so bad with the open drive shaft. Can anyone suggest what can be done to fix this problem?

Thanks,
Joe

Traction bars (traction masters) would be one method to prevent the springs from wrapping up and causing this hop.

Stuart

not punching the gas so hard you spin the wheels works too

Bill

Are your pinion shaft and transmission output shaft parallel? The rearend is solidly fixed to the springs and doesn't swivel as it did with the torque tube,right?

Are your springs weak or do you have tall blocks between the axle and the springs? How wide are the pads between the axle and the springs?

Traction bars won't help the ride but should stop the hop.

The ring and pinion and the output shaft are indeed parallel. I set the angles myself so I know it's right. Rear end is solid welded to spring perches and U-bolted to axle. No swivel. I only punched it one time and the results were "Darn, I'm not going to that again!" The springs are the original springs and I did read a note recently that torque tube springs are more weak than open drive line springs :confused: although I'm not sure that is true. The pads or axle blocks are standard height, 1" to 1 1/4" - no lowering blocks. The pads (axle blocks) are full spring width - 1 3/4".

I like the idea of traction bars because I think they look good, but I might be spending more money than new springs would cost, if new springs might be the answer. Anyone have any knowledge of traction bar costs or spring costs? If I recall, traction bars are fairly easy to install.

Thanks for the comments fellows. I appreciate it!

Joe

Wheel hop,can be common on leaf spring vehicles when burning rubber.Check to make sure the leaf clips are still there.Adding extra ones,two in front and to the rear of the axle helps if they are not allready there.A set of quality gas shocks might help also.Cheap slapper type traction bars like used on older Camaros will work.
Or simply break the rear tires loose at a higher rpm so they spin hard and don't grip and slip over and over causing the spring wind up!!

Instead of being 6cylovertexas joe, you need to become "smoking Joe". I would even show you how its done

Alvin -

I probably don't need to become "Smokin' Joe", but I can sure tell that when in first gear with the T-5 and the light rear end on that pick up, it's not hard at all for the rear end to break loose. I'm just thinking that if it does that, I need to stop "axle wrap" or wheel hopping before I tear something up :mad: .

After that I can put a line lock on the front brakes and than I can do the smokey burnouts !!

Joe you can go over to Champion spring and axel in Fort Worth. They are on Hinderson just north of I30. They repaired the springs on my 53 and did a great job. I am sure that they would be cheaper than some of the venders. They have been there for ever and know ther stuff.
Tom

Joe re: your truck: W/o a doubt one of my favorites! Are you running a 4.03 1st gear S-10 T-5? If so you just went from, wait a minute, let's do the math...

original drivetrain 1st gear 2.95 X 4.10 (orig. rear)= 12.095

upgrade 1st gear (typical S-10 T-5 1st gear) 4.03 X 3.90 (open rear) = 15.717

With that T-5 upgrade you now have a 'stump-pulling' 1st gear. I submit that a change in driving habits is in order. If you have the gear numbers that I plugged in above in the calculations new springs and/or traction bars may keep you from hopping but the numbers (if accurate) say that in first gear you are wound out at 10 mph.

Your new pattern could be ...just get her rolling in first then quickly shift to second.

Cosmo -
My T-5 first gear is now a 3.76 ratio with a 3.54 rear end ratio, I'm not wound up as tight as you think. I do agree with you, however, that I need to re-train myself to after almost 30 years of driving with a much lower first gear/rear end combined gear ratio.
235 Fat Fenders -
Some good thoughts for two reasons: The current springs are almost 70 years old and they were not set up for an open drive rear end. 70 years of age is probably the big factor.
Thanks for the thoughts guys!

Joe

Joe , bring it by my shop and let me take a look at it. I can tell you what it will take to fix it or do it for you. Thanks , Paul

Joe, start off in second gear While on your way to paulweldit's!!