How do bumpstops work?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 737
Likes: 0
They are actually a spring and can be used to tune a track suspension. They
come in all shapes,lenghts,hardnesses,with various fluted designs. Don't confuse these with the old leaf spring snubbers on big old American iron, they just kept the axle from hitting the frame. Our Jetta is lowered with Eibachs and with track tires in a turn we use them all the time.
Elder Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 39,901
Likes: 1
the bumpstops might also determine the top of the spring
Sort of the top perch height. I dunno. I don't know enough about the Audi suspension.
I wish Bentley whould ship the damn A6 service manual so I could look at diagrams and tell you.
I wish Bentley whould ship the damn A6 service manual so I could look at diagrams and tell you.
Trending Topics
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 5,617
Likes: 0
My 2 cents..
the springs have to make up for the lack of a bumpstop if there is none. The bumpstops are 2-4 inches long (4" on the A4/S4). Eibachs are soft and they like to sag w/in time. I should know because I still have them on my car. You would definatly notice a difference in ride height w/o them since they're rubbber and they sit at the top of the shock body - not to mention they're 'cheap security' but on the flip side if you're hitting your bumpstops then there's a problem as the others have mentioned.
HTH
HTH
AudiWorld Stories
Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
9 Audi Designs That Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
2026 Audi Q5 Buyer's Guide (Every Model Explained)
Brett Foote
Ranking Every Current Audi 'S' Model From Worst to First!
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Audis That are FINALLY LEGAL to Import to the U.S.!
Joe Kucinski
Elder Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,968
Likes: 0
Re: How do bumpstops work?
As mentioned earlier, they avoid bottoming the suspension ... or worse yet, bottoming the shocks, which often destroys them. With a properly designed suspension, bump stops have no affect on ride height.
The other benefit, especially on the track, is that when one corner bottoms out, the spring rate at that corner goes from 200 lb/in (or whatever) to infinity. The tire at that corner is immediately overloaded, taking load from the other tires. If this happens when cornering near the limit, you're off the track. A bump stop of correct length and hardness provides a progressive and controlled transition to the limit of suspension travel.
IMHO, bump stops are necessary on all high performance cars.
The other benefit, especially on the track, is that when one corner bottoms out, the spring rate at that corner goes from 200 lb/in (or whatever) to infinity. The tire at that corner is immediately overloaded, taking load from the other tires. If this happens when cornering near the limit, you're off the track. A bump stop of correct length and hardness provides a progressive and controlled transition to the limit of suspension travel.
IMHO, bump stops are necessary on all high performance cars.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 0
Yes, and SKS is also correct...
The bumpstops provide additional spring rate when the strut/shock is near the end of the travel. Given the right shape and composition (I love celasto med.) you can use a milder spring with a long bumpstop (ala VW).
Old solid rubber bumpstops had really high rates and were just to protect the shock/strut from bottoming.
Short-travel suspensions (VW-GTI) engage the bumpstop all the time. I assume that is why the company tells you the ride height will change.
Old solid rubber bumpstops had really high rates and were just to protect the shock/strut from bottoming.
Short-travel suspensions (VW-GTI) engage the bumpstop all the time. I assume that is why the company tells you the ride height will change.