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Does cutting bump stops hurt structural integrity?

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Old Sep 12, 2010 | 10:04 PM
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Question Does cutting bump stops hurt structural integrity?

I just purchased some 17x11 ZR1's from OE wheels with 315/35 nitto tires. I've read all the posts about how and what to cut and hammer, but when I went to trim the bump stops in half vertically, I began to worry. My axle has marks where it has hit against the bump stops, so I know they are useful. I worry that if I cut the metal center portion in between the bump stop mounting bolts, the structural integrity of the bump stop mounting points will be gone. If my axle slams against the stops, the mounts could get bent upward, defeating the purpose of me trimming the stops. Has this been a problem for anyone? Thanks for the help.
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Old Sep 12, 2010 | 10:32 PM
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What do you drive?
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Old Sep 12, 2010 | 11:18 PM
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Sorry about that. I have a 1999 Camaro SS Convertible.
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Old Sep 13, 2010 | 08:48 AM
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No need to do anything to the BS . . . only time it is an issue is with the axle hanging down such as on a lift . . . Or if you like doing full airborne leaps like Bo and Luke Duke . . .
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Old Sep 13, 2010 | 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Xsta Z 28
only time it is an issue is with the axle hanging down such as on a lift . . .
I would think that would be a pretty big issue, no?
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Old Sep 13, 2010 | 10:32 AM
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Originally Posted by xsta z 28
no need to do anything to the bs . . . Only time it is an issue is with the axle hanging down such as on a lift . . . or if you like doing full airborne leaps like bo and luke duke . . .
lmao!
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Old Sep 13, 2010 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Gaunt
I would think that would be a pretty big issue, no?
Why? . . . In the 10 years I've owned my SS it has never been on a lift . . .
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Old Sep 13, 2010 | 09:57 PM
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Screw the bump stops. I did all the trimming to them like you are talking about and had to support the rearend once it was on jack stands like Xsta is talking about. That get's to be a hassle after awhile and decided to chop the bitches off completly and add bumpstops to my Koni's instead. I got the idea from JasonWW from this thread.

Bumpstop Spring Rates Inside
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Old Sep 13, 2010 | 11:40 PM
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Thanks for the help, I may just leave them alone and use 1/4" spacers after I center the rear end with an adjustable panhard. I think I should have the clearance then.
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 04:25 PM
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I just ground down the corner that sticks out down to where the bump stop bolts on. I left the rest alone. I have had the TA on the lift and didn't have any problems. Before I did this though the bump stop would poke the tire when dropping the axle.
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 07:53 PM
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if you look VERY closely those aren't marks where the bump stops have been hitting... it says " buy better shocks and springs dude'
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 08:03 PM
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Thumbs up Bump Stop athon

FWIW I just swapped out the stock white looking bump stops and replaced w/the Energy Jeep replacments, was less $ and also used the Herron performance spacers in place of the aluminum SLP spacers, gives about an inch more travel before they bottom out. And I have the same issue as XSTA Z28, but the only lifts my car goes on are drive on so no worries.

First pic: clearance between side of tire and bumpstop, can you say "C-hair"
Second pic: factory gm bumpstops
Third pic: Energy Jeep replacments and Herron performance spacers
Attached Thumbnails Does cutting bump stops hurt structural integrity?-umisfc11-3-7-008.jpg   Does cutting bump stops hurt structural integrity?-img_4334.jpg   Does cutting bump stops hurt structural integrity?-img_4995.jpg  
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Old Sep 14, 2010 | 11:38 PM
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Wow, I like the idea of those Herron spacers. I will definitely look into that, thank you.

And yes, with 130K miles on the car, I definitely need new springs and shocks. But it will have to wait. The only reason I bought new wheels was because my stock chrome ZR1s were losing about 1psi per day due to pitted chrome on the inside of the rim. And I figured it was a perfect time to upgrade to the awesome looking wide wheels. Suspension upgrades will come in due time...
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