Why do our trucks...
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 441
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From: Iowa
Why do our trucks...
...axle wrap/axle hop more then any other truck? Most all Ford F150's I've ridden in or seen have had axle wrap. My truck is the worst ever with it...even start to spin the tire with the slightest traction, and the wheels start trying to hop. Hence, my blown driveline yoke (check my gallery) a month or two ago. Why do our Ford's seem suseptible to it? I don't see Chevy's or Dodge's doing it. I know what I can do about it, but haven't gotten around to it. What is the root cause of it though?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2005
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To be honest I haven't really paid attention to other makes that much. It does seem to me that when comparing 1/2 tons, the Fords seem to ride a little softer than the Chevrolets and Dodges I've been in. Maybe its my imagination or maybe Ford uses a softer progressive rate spring. I dunno. If it is a softer spring that might explain the axle wrap.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
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From: New Jersey
Since the load carrying capacity (in the bed) isn't anywhere near 4000lbs because the frame would twist like a soft pretzel, they spring the trucks softer so they can at least offer a nicer ride. Softer leaf springs allows for more axle wrap, as the springs can flex easier.
You can drive my F350 any way you like, you won't be wrapping my springs. But, it's a really harsh ride because of it. It's a tradeoff pure and simple.
You'll find that the Dodges and Chevy's seem to be sprung a bit stiffer, which means a harsher ride and of course, less axle wrap.
The solution is to replace the springs and shackles with something stiffer, or if you're not going to be hauling anything of significant weight, install snubber bars like we all did on our 60's and 70's muscle cars.
You can drive my F350 any way you like, you won't be wrapping my springs. But, it's a really harsh ride because of it. It's a tradeoff pure and simple.
You'll find that the Dodges and Chevy's seem to be sprung a bit stiffer, which means a harsher ride and of course, less axle wrap.
The solution is to replace the springs and shackles with something stiffer, or if you're not going to be hauling anything of significant weight, install snubber bars like we all did on our 60's and 70's muscle cars.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
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The biggest cause is the soft leafspring. It only has 2 full leafs with an extra half leaf on the front part of the spring. Just swapping in some aftermarket springs can really halp the problem. Or get a spring with a 2" lift and remove the factory block (if you have one) and it will still ride at the same height and have far less problems with wheel hop and axle wrap.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Iowa
I figured it was something to do with Ford's choice of leaf springs.
Guess I *will* have to add new leaf springs to my list of things to buy. I don't want to be replacing another U-joint or yoke again anytime soon.
No other things specific to Ford rear leaf setups vs other manufacturers? Hope not =P. Makes me want to go coil spring more and more (I don't haul anything so it'd be alright).
Guess I *will* have to add new leaf springs to my list of things to buy. I don't want to be replacing another U-joint or yoke again anytime soon.
No other things specific to Ford rear leaf setups vs other manufacturers? Hope not =P. Makes me want to go coil spring more and more (I don't haul anything so it'd be alright).
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
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From: Topsfield, MA
This typically happens with ANY leaf sprung vehicle.
Yes, the strength of the springs will impact how the axle wrap is, but heavier springs do not necessarily mean no axle wrap or reduced axle wrap. My truck has the equivilant of 1 ton springs (if not stiffer) but they use 6-7 leaves instead of 3-4-5. They're beefy springs and I still get axle wrap sometimes. I've heard several times about people who've got heavy springs and still had axle wrap.
The cure is to use traction bars or ladder bars. The cause of axle wrap is because under power, the rear axle wants to rotate end over end as well as turn the pinion upwards. This upward tilt causes the leaf springs to bend in an S like shape and the constant twitch back and forth is what causes what you feel during axle wrap. It's very hard on the drivetrain.
The traction bars limit or stop the axle from rotating while under power and cures the problem. I have traction bars with those springs and I have very little axle wrap, only occasionally will I get some.
Ladder bars are more often used on cars as they affect ground clearance.
Yes, the strength of the springs will impact how the axle wrap is, but heavier springs do not necessarily mean no axle wrap or reduced axle wrap. My truck has the equivilant of 1 ton springs (if not stiffer) but they use 6-7 leaves instead of 3-4-5. They're beefy springs and I still get axle wrap sometimes. I've heard several times about people who've got heavy springs and still had axle wrap.
The cure is to use traction bars or ladder bars. The cause of axle wrap is because under power, the rear axle wants to rotate end over end as well as turn the pinion upwards. This upward tilt causes the leaf springs to bend in an S like shape and the constant twitch back and forth is what causes what you feel during axle wrap. It's very hard on the drivetrain.
The traction bars limit or stop the axle from rotating while under power and cures the problem. I have traction bars with those springs and I have very little axle wrap, only occasionally will I get some.
Ladder bars are more often used on cars as they affect ground clearance.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 26
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my 95z28 used to do it bad . we put traction bars on it and the problem was gone. got better off the line too with limited tire spin
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