Tire Hop Or Poor Handling
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Pontiac Montana, 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and 2002 Chevrolet Venture. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
DEFINITION: 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, see SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .
- Verify that the tires hop or that the vehicle handles poorly. Does the vehicle handle normally? If so, system is OK. 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 shock absorbers/struts for wear or damage. Are the shock absorbers/struts worn or damaged? If so, go to step 9 . If not, go to step 10 .
- Replace the tire/wheel if necessary. Refer to TIRE AND WHEEL REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in TIRES AND WHEELS . After repairs are complete, go to step 10 .
- Balance the tire and wheel assembly. After repairs are complete, go to step 10 .
- Replace the shock absorbers/struts. Refer to SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT ALL WHEEL DRIVE or SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT FRONT WHEEL DRIVE . Did you complete the repair?
- Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If so, system is OK. If not, go back to step 3 .