Tire Hop Or Poor Handling

DEFINITION: The tire/wheel bounce with a frequency directly related to the vehicle speed.

1. Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary inspections? If so, go to next step. If not, see SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS  .
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 .
7. 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 .
8. Balance the tire and wheel assembly. After repairs are complete, go to step  10 .
9. 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?
10. 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 .