Why You Need Longer Bumpstops when lifted

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:29 pm

Seems to be a lot of discussion off and on about the need for longer bumpstops on our KJs (or any lifted vehicle for that matter). As I was cleaning out some old emails I came across a discussion that I had with Marc Bowers, Tech Supervisor with ARB/USA and his explanation is simple and easy to understand, well for most people maybe :wink:

Hope he doesn't care that I share this. Thanks Marc

QUOTED FROM MARC BOWERS ARB/USA 8/21/07
If the springs are allowed to "stack" it will cause extremely accelerated wear and will void the warranty on the springs. Stacking occurs when the spring coils are allowed to compress solid onto each other. This happens when the bump stops are insufficient , too short or poorly located and the suspension gets under full compression and goes "effectively" solid against the coil. It doesn't have to be a violent situation to do some damage as the spring gets distorted trying to reduce the height. Once this happens you need to start looking for new springs.

This is why I sometimes come across rather strong in suggesting using extended/longer bumpstops, my explanations are sometimes to wordy, but Marc did a great job in explaining it in a few words.

Tom

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:02 pm

I thought that was common knowledge :wink:

.

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:06 pm

Most people know it but you know how it is with some! :lol:

501 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:23 pm

Being new at 4x4ing and working on vehicles, it's good that you put infomation like this on here. I for one appreciate you 'old ones' letting us newbies know the right way to do things so we don't have to go through all the hardships you guys did when you first started.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:45 pm

501 wrote:

Being new at 4x4ing and working on vehicles, it's good that you put infomation like this on here. I for one appreciate you 'old ones' letting us newbies know the right way to do things so we don't have to go through all the hardships you guys did when you first started.

Note that it is common on the Daystar lift w/ the 2+" coil spacer to bind the coils as mentioned above. It was my only complaint on my KJ when I ran the Daystar on it. Of course it was also hard to find a long enough bumpstop that would stop it from happening so I just lived w/ it and/or took it easy on the big bumps.

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:37 pm

Tomm,

Marc, Seth and The chic at All J's told me that I did not need extended bumpstops if I was using the OME HD springs and OME shocks. They all did say I needed them in the rear IF i used the long travel shocks out back. I went round and round on this prior to installing my lift. Was gonna do the Hockey Puck thing that Marty shows on his site but The guys at ARB and the chic out in Big Bear said I did not need them.

I asked I WANTED a set from her out in Big bear and she talked me out of them. What Gives?

Universeman · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:47 pm

Ok tom you win I'll put the bumpstops back on :oops:

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:52 pm

I think maybe part of the confusion comes in that OME struts are constructed a little bit different than say OEM or Rancho etc. Being that they (OME) builds the springs / struts as a complete kit, the set them up somewhat different to compensate for part of that, BUT if you get into a situation where the springs "stack" you will not blow the strut but will or could cause premature spring failure. It is one of those 6 of one, half dozen of another. In a perfect world using all OME you maybe can get away with not using any bumpstops for me its cheap insurance to have them. I just know what I have learned from books on suspension, magazine articles, screw ups from building suspensions the wrong way and now in recent years on the internet forums.
So short version for you Woody, you maybe OK but I would rather have them than have not.

scarletbegonias · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:57 pm

Good to know. Hey I wonder, would bumpstops be required for minor offroading such as sand..which I assume would entail no extreme stacking or sagging of the springs?

This is a new subject to me (as are lifts) so any feedback would be appreciated, thanks!

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:58 pm

I agree, I just wish she hadn't talked me out of them before. I have a brain ache.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:05 pm

If you flex the rear alot then you will need them scarletbegonias.

I just pump my air bags up before going offroad. Automatic bumpstop! :lol:

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:08 pm

fronts will stack as well :wink:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:10 pm

tommudd wrote:

fronts will stack as well :wink:

Yes they will.My SkyJacker lift came with both F/R extended bumpstops.43,000 miles on my lift and still supporting my ARB and winch,and I do hit those front and rear bumpstops often.

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

I just put in a set of Teraflex extended front bump stops. That was a chewy little job! I think it was easier to put in the lift! :lol:

j/k. Took some persuasion to get the buggers in though. :twisted:

I'm putting in hockey pucks in the rear tomorrow. After the third period.

KJ04 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:51 pm

snowsport wrote:

I just put in a set of Teraflex extended front bump stops. That was a chewy little job! I think it was easier to put in the lift! :lol:

j/k. Took some persuasion to get the buggers in though. :twisted:

I'm putting in hockey pucks in the rear tomorrow. After the third period.

I had to fight with the one on the driverside a little but, the pass. side went in easy.

501 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:43 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

Note that it is common on the Daystar lift w/ the 2+" coil spacer to bind the coils as mentioned above. It was my only complaint on my KJ when I ran the Daystar on it. Of course it was also hard to find a long enough bumpstop that would stop it from happening so I just lived w/ it and/or took it easy on the big bumps.

So you never found any that would work? I just bought the Daystar, Coil Spring Spacers 2 1/2" Front and Rear (4 Spacers) With Sway Bar Bushings, Bumpstops, Upper Strut Plates, and Boots. Will these bumpstops do what they are supose to?

Sport · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:20 pm

snowsport wrote:

I just put in a set of Teraflex extended front bump stops. That was a chewy little job! I think it was easier to put in the lift! :lol:

j/k. Took some persuasion to get the buggers in though. :twisted:

I'm putting in hockey pucks in the rear tomorrow. After the third period.

You guys got pics of what those new tera bump stops look like on? I might want to swap mine out.

thanks.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:31 pm

501 wrote:

JJsKJ wrote:

Note that it is common on the Daystar lift w/ the 2+" coil spacer to bind the coils as mentioned above. It was my only complaint on my KJ when I ran the Daystar on it. Of course it was also hard to find a long enough bumpstop that would stop it from happening so I just lived w/ it and/or took it easy on the big bumps.

So you never found any that would work? I just bought the Daystar, Coil Spring Spacers 2 1/2" Front and Rear (4 Spacers) With Sway Bar Bushings, Bumpstops, Upper Strut Plates, and Boots. Will these bumpstops do what they are supose to?

At the time, No. I ended up going to the Frankenlift and nver bothered using them and now SFA so it is a whole different ball game now.

KJ04 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:54 am

Sport wrote:

snowsport wrote:

I just put in a set of Teraflex extended front bump stops. That was a chewy little job! I think it was easier to put in the lift! :lol:

j/k. Took some persuasion to get the buggers in though. :twisted:

I'm putting in hockey pucks in the rear tomorrow. After the third period.

You guys got pics of what those new tera bump stops look like on? I might want to swap mine out.

thanks.

Here's a pic of Groo2's http://farrworld.hobby-site.com/~pa/Site/Jeep.html

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:27 am

Linky no worky

Why You Need Longer Bumpstops when lifted

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