[TheMolarMass]

A couple friends of mine have a problems with this kid's 2001 SVT Mustang Cobra Convertible 5spd. The car looks great, and is one of the fastest cars I've been in, but the thing wheel hops like crazy.

For example, when running first gear in a straight line, the @$$ end begins to tremble (badly) at about 3500 or 4000 rpms, and continues through the rest of the gear. When you shift hard into 2nd, it hops as well.

At first, the owner tried to play it off as the Traction Control System. Well, I've been in rides with my friend's 1999 Mustang GT Coupe (5spd), and his Traction Control just cuts off power, and doesn't make the whole rear end jump. (Its saved his @$$ plenty of times)

So, yesterday I took the Cobra for a ride again. The first thing I did was disable the TCS, and half-way through first, the whole car was jumping again. Same axle-hop.

Today, the kid comes to me and tries to tell me that it was my driving that caused it to axle-hop. I was pretty pissed at this statement, since MY car is a 1995 Mustang GT 5.0 Coupe that runs mid 13's (5sp). I couldn't get my car to axle-hop if I tried (nor could the 1999 GT).

I know for a fact that there are lighter springs in these Convertible Cobras. People, please post anything you know about axle-hop in this Cobra, whether you've dealt with it or heard about it. I need to know if I'm crazy.

[blackfang]

That is quite common being it has Independent rear Suspension. You don't have a live axle, so getting wheel hop is very easy to do. My 99 cobra would do it when i was driving in 1st or 2nd and then lay into it.

One thing to do is get better bushings, adjustable shocks, and an IRS brace. That should diminish the wheel hop quite a bit.

[quadcammer]

the crap irs in 99 plus cobras will cause this. no amount of bushings shocks springs and whatever will stop the hop. only traction will stop the hop completely, or and irs for that matter.

just the nature of the beast. hence i went to a solid axle, i also broke a halfshaft

[blackfang]

True, but it would help the car get traction better with a better suspension.

[milw96cobra]

Or just get a live axle.... would be the smart way to go...

or you could do some suspension mods...

check out www.maximummotorsports.com see if they have any rear suspension kits for 99+ cobras

[therunyan]

I've substantially reduced the wheel hop with my mods -- Paul's High Performance IRS brace is a good investment that won't set you back that much. If you can, try to do the bushing swap (urethane or derlin) -- You really should check out Maximum Motorsports as milw96cobra suggested, they make the best mods for handling. Sure the solid axle will stop the hop, but if you are fond of the twisties more than the straight lines, stick with the IRS and put a brace and stiff bushings on her.

Good luck.