Drilling Jeep Bumpstops?
#1
Drilling Jeep Bumpstops?
So, I've ordered the poly Jeep bumpstops to replace my destroyed stockers on the rear. These do seem to be a lot stiffer than even my OE black SS stops, which are allegedly even much firmer than the OE yellow/white Z-28 stops. Obviously, I don't want to be in the stops, but if I do end up in them, I want the experience to be as favorable as possible.
I've seen references to drilling holes in the poly in order to make them more forgiving. I did see one thread mentioned that Strano recommends "a bunch" of 3/16" holes.
Anyone have any description or pics of what they did and how well it worked? I'd imagine it's best to drill them horizontally to the ground to allow additional compression. Did you drill through the tapered portion, or through the square end closer to the mounting plate? How many holes did you drill, what size, did it affect the structural integrity of the stop (did they tear/split/fail with time)?
I've seen references to drilling holes in the poly in order to make them more forgiving. I did see one thread mentioned that Strano recommends "a bunch" of 3/16" holes.
Anyone have any description or pics of what they did and how well it worked? I'd imagine it's best to drill them horizontally to the ground to allow additional compression. Did you drill through the tapered portion, or through the square end closer to the mounting plate? How many holes did you drill, what size, did it affect the structural integrity of the stop (did they tear/split/fail with time)?
#3
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If your roads are anything like the ones in Richmond then you WILL get to know your bumpstops fairly well... if you've got a passenger in the back and your car is lowered at all it will basically be on the bumpstops the whole way.
My bumpstops were already destroyed by the previous owner (and the car was at stock ride height to boot) so I replaced them with some used 3rd gen bumpstops off eBay. I didn't want the harshness of the polys and the 3rd gen stops are a direct replacement. They seem to be made of a much more durable rubber than the junk foam stops that come on 4th gens.
My bumpstops were already destroyed by the previous owner (and the car was at stock ride height to boot) so I replaced them with some used 3rd gen bumpstops off eBay. I didn't want the harshness of the polys and the 3rd gen stops are a direct replacement. They seem to be made of a much more durable rubber than the junk foam stops that come on 4th gens.
#4
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I knew mine very well in my old formula because the suspension was shot. I annihilated those crappy rubber ones (4th gen). I put the polys on my current car because the OE ones were shot. Ive had people in the back but haven't hit them yet.
#5
With my 70k mile OE springs and decarbons, I can see I was hitting them as I have a "clean" spot on the axle. I've now got Bilsteins and cut 1 coil from the rear, so we'll see how often I am in them. I suppose I could mount them as-is and see how it goes. Can always drill them on the car, or take them out - not like they are difficult to remove and install.
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#8
TECH Senior Member
Unless you are driving on some really nice roads I would doubt it. Now "hitting them" doesn't mean slamming into them, it could be just a light bump. Part of having a good suspension setup is a smooth transition onto the bumpstops so its not an abrupt jarring hit. Even at stock 4x4 height these cars hit the bumpstops.
#9
Unless you are driving on some really nice roads I would doubt it. Now "hitting them" doesn't mean slamming into them, it could be just a light bump. Part of having a good suspension setup is a smooth transition onto the bumpstops so its not an abrupt jarring hit. Even at stock 4x4 height these cars hit the bumpstops.
#10
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Probably a light bump. On my formula, you knew when they hit... because it was like a gunshot almost.
I'll look at mine tomorrow and see if I have actually hit them
I'll look at mine tomorrow and see if I have actually hit them
#11
TECH Apprentice
Here's mine. Not the greatest picture, but I was to lazy to pull the wheel off. I used what bits I had laying around. I'll just call them 1/4" and 1/8" bits, I really don't remember. 26 1/2" ground to fender, Strano springs with heater hose mod. My car hits these bumpstops a few times a day. I had cut my stock bumpstops before buying these and I think I liked it better. Sometime in the future I may cut the drilled part off just so they will bottom out less.
#12
TECH Senior Member
Here's mine. Not the greatest picture, but I was to lazy to pull the wheel off. I used what bits I had laying around. I'll just call them 1/4" and 1/8" bits, I really don't remember. 26 1/2" ground to fender, Strano springs with heater hose mod. My car hits these bumpstops a few times a day. I had cut my stock bumpstops before buying these and I think I liked it better. Sometime in the future I may cut the drilled part off just so they will bottom out less.
Did you notice a difference after drilling the hole?
Have you considered drilling a few big holes vs many small ones - id like to see a comparison for this.
#13
TECH Apprentice
I drilled them before I installed them so I don't have a back-to-back comparison. Didn't think about drilling big holes vs small holes...hmm. Although I don't really seeing it being much better with big holes. I think eventually I will just cut the drilled part off. Better not to make any contact at all.
#14
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Wrong, the point is to make a *gradual* transition to the bumpstops, so drilling holes is meant to help with that. That's why the OEM ones are of the material that they are, for a gradual transition, poly is much more harsh...
I drilled them before I installed them so I don't have a back-to-back comparison. Didn't think about drilling big holes vs small holes...hmm. Although I don't really seeing it being much better with big holes. I think eventually I will just cut the drilled part off. Better not to make any contact at all.
#15
TECH Apprentice
Yeah, I know they're harsh. It's why I drilled them in the first place... Even with the small holes, when the axle hits the bumpstops, it's not a 'soft' compression. It's still a bit harsh. I may try some 1/2" holes at some point.
#17
TECH Apprentice
I guess it's going to depend on how low your car is as to how harsh it's going to be. It's going to be a little more harsh then the stockers.
#19
TECH Apprentice
I went to Summit's and Prothane's websites looking for these. It looks like the ones that are progressive (at least the ones I was looking at) are 7" long vs the 5" (I went out to measure mine) for the jeep bumpstops. To long to bolt up to the stock holes on our chassis. But those progressive bumpstops look like they would do the job. They look nice.