Tire Hop Or Poor Handling
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire and 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE:
The tire/wheel bounce with a frequency directly related to the vehicle speed.
- Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary inspections? If so, go to next step. If not, go to SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .
- Verify that the tires hop or that the vehicle handles poorly. Does the vehicle handle normally? If so, then system is okay. If not, go to next step.
- Inspect the tires for uneven wear or damage. Are the tires worn or damaged? If so, go to step 7. If not, go to next step.
- Inspect the tires and wheels for missing wheel weights. Are the wheel weights missing? If so, go to step 8. If not, go to next step.
- Inspect the tires and wheels for excessive runout. Does the tire and wheel have excessive runout? If so, go to step 7. If not, go to next step.
- Inspect the struts for wear or damage. Are the struts worn or damaged? If so, go to step 9. If not, go to step 2.
- Replace the tire/wheel if necessary. After repair, go to step 10.
- Balance the tire and wheel assembly. Did you complete the repair? After repair, go to step 10.
- Replace the struts or shocks. Refer to STRUT ASSEMBLY or SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT . After repair, go to next step.
- Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If so, system is okay. If not, go to step 3.