Ram Rear Suspension Hop

[Bella PSD]

Not sure of a fix but that's also very common with Superdutys also. The road is spaced just right with dips and the truck just goes nuts bouncing. It does not happen very often with mine and it was after the lift when it started.

As far as I know the best fix is don't drive on that road I was traveling once with a friend following me with a standard cab long bed. I called him up on the CB after the bouncing started and asked if he felt how bad the road was. Having a smaller wheel base, he was not effected at all.

Not sure how bad yours is but mine is not like out of control or anything, more of an annoyance. I have some Bilstein 7100 about to go on and see if that helps.

 

[DT75FLH]

If it has only happened on 1 certain road then its probably the expansion joints set perfectly for your wheel base.

since you have a mega cab then its the same wheelbase as my crew cab long bed ford.

on certain highways in CA and NV my truck will start to hop. my rear suspension is stock with rancho shocks, timbrens and airbags. I played with the airbag setting while empty and it would still do it.

I agree also with the ladder bar setup being no help. the ladder bar only helps stop the rear axle wrap on take off from a stop, or under a pulling type scenario.

 

[Redline]

Freeway Hop

I believe the last two posts (#16-17) are correct. What you have described sounds like what is commonly known as 'freeway hop' (other names too I'm sure).

Of course suspension (springs, shocks, tires, etc.) are all part of the problem and solution, but the primary issue is the design of the roadway and the wheelbase of your vehicle. I would be hesitant to blame you aftermarket suspension unless you are certain of the behavior both before & after the modifications.

My 1996 F350 (168" wheelbase) is prone to freeway hop and it can become very unpleasant depending on the circumstances. I have been been able to tame the 'hop' on occasion by cranking up my rear Rancho 9000 shocks from their normal/low setting to stiff/firm setting.

 

[Gunnslinger]

Looks like I'm not the only one.

Does anyone experience the "Freeway Hop" when carrying a load or with a camper or shell onboard?

 

[Desert Proven]

Gunslinger,

Certain sections of road will cause truck hop. My trucks have all done it on certain sections of highway 5 in CA (Dodge Rams). I run a KORE Race system and that has helped because you've got way more dampening with bigger shocks, but it's still there. Softer tire pressures will also help, but there's just some sections of roadways that do it at certain speeds.

You cant install the front shocks in the rear. Different design on the shock.

There's probably nothing loose on the truck that's causing it, but it always helps to check your lug nuts because they my not have been tightened all the way when you got the suspension/tires done.

Let me know if there are more questions. I've spent a lot of time around the KORE stuff.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

The MDR is a shortbed club cab with Ranchos, airbags, and a shell. I get wheel hop on certain concrete freeways around SoCal, especially Hwy 118 in the SF Valley and Hwy 101 from Camarillo to Ventura. Additional weight in the bed cures the hop. :sombrero:

 

[86cj]

Looks like I'm not the only one.

Does anyone experience the "Freeway Hop" when carrying a load or with a camper or shell onboard?

My Chevy Ex-cab dually does it on a certain stretch of concrete freeway with my 12' cab over camper. I use air bags to help, even though it is level when loaded without them, I also keep my rear Rancho shocks turned up one click from full firm. I have no issues without my camper though.

I also keep some weight in my truck all the time, it helps with braking. When empty if I hit a frost heave on the brakes, the ABS kicks in and braking becomes too exciting in traffic. I think a little weight could calm things down but on a rare occassion we all deal with it.

 

[Gunnslinger]

MDR, thanks for the input. Do you think the weight of a shell is adequate minimize the problem?

 

[bat]

I agree with the roads, going south up the Grapevine in CA is the grand daddy of them all.

 

[Heimz]

BTW, KORE, doesnt stand for anything, its a Company.

Its an acronym for Kroeker Off Road Engineering.





Gunnslinger, is this a violent hop or a rough bounce? Are you scared to drive it? Does it do it on all freeways or just particular stretches?

Tire pressure shouldnt be creating such a harsh reaction, Ive always played with my air pressures and though I can get alot of solid feedback at higher pressures, its never been scary or unnerving . Ive run my Toyo's and Yokohamas for a couple weeks with no load at 50psi. I am currently at 40 Front/28 rear.

 

[Gunnslinger]

Heimz,

It's a violent, side to side, hop of the rear wheels. Steering is not significantly affected but I'm reluctant to drive it on the freeway unloaded.

It's difficult to predict and depends on how the bumps are spaced on the road. Best I could describe would be asphalt washboards that start the bouncing. If the bumps are far apart like expansion joints on a bridge, no problem.

 

[Heimz]

If you're running the bilstein 5100's, maybe its possible the frequency and quick oscillation is cavitating the shock and you're losing damping. If you have a friend with some smooth body remote-reservoir shocks with a similiar kit (Kore/Carli/Thuren), see if you can swap his shocks onto your rear axle to perform an experiment. If it goes away, you need to look at new shocks. If you are in So Cal, you can borrow my Kings (theyve got some wicked valving but they MIGHT do something).

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

Gunnslinger...the addition of the shell definitely helped, but it is just one part of the equation. I actually liked Monroe Magnums better than the Ranchos for pavement, but I'll need to wait to re-shock. Here is what I do to smooth it out:

• Shocks at medium setting
• Correct tire pressure, not overinflated like some tire dealers recommend
• Airbags set with just about 5 lbs. over what is needed to level the truck
• A light load in the back, sometimes just a bag or two of sand or kitty litter used during the winter when I go skiing. I find that if I'm not carrying anything else, I'll place it just behind the axle, contrary to normally recommended load placement.

It sounds to me as if you have a shock problem that is not properly tuned to your specialized suspension. Good luck hunting down the solution...be sure to post up when you find it. :sombrero:

 

[projnostic]

Good lookin out Heimz

I have to agree with valving at first it seemed a DW issue but you state no probs with steering so issue is truly from rear. Mega sometimes gets same DW as the 2500's