Have you ever heard the old saying that it's not the fall that hurts, but that sudden stop will ruin your day? Well, we have, and anyone who has ever hit an obstacle a tad too fast or made their rig defy gravity if only for a brief moment knows why that statement rings true. While a nice suspension system will soak up most off-road turbulence, once the uptravel reaches its end, it's important to have something in place to absorb that last leg of impact. This is where the small but powerful bumpstop comes into play.
Though bumpstops come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and material types, their primary job is to work not only as a safe stopping point for your suspension system but also as additional damping as the suspension enters its final stage of uptravel. Over the past few decades OEMs have upped the role of the once basic suspension endpoint, and bumpstops now play an active role in most modern suspension systems.
For most trail wheelers a...
For most trail wheelers a low center of gravity and a big set of tires are high on the priority list. Bumpstops aid in this stable setup, as they limit the suspension's upward travel. This means you can have a definite stopping point for the tire so no rubbing or fender damage will occur.
Bumpstops are an extremely integral part of the suspension equation, but often for very different reasons. For most trail runners a rubber or polyurethane bump works great to help the rig have a low center of gravity and prevent oversized knobby tires from peeling off the fenders. On the other end of the spectrum, high-speed rock racers and desert rompers incorporate more tunable and durable nitrogen-charged bumps to help control and damp the impact of the more extreme and long-travel suspensions.
Similar to most 4x suspension parts, bumpstops range wildly in price and performance. So to give you a closer look and explanation at these ever important mini suspension members, we've complied some of the most common types and noted their primary advantages.
Replacement Stop
Factory bumpstops wear out over time, and a quality replacement isn't always available from your local parts house. Luckily Daystar offers a variety of factory replacement and universal bumps. Daystar's bumpstops range from low-profile to progressive-rate and are made of high-impact polyurethane. The company even offers EVS foam bumps that attach to your shock and act as a progressive-spring rate, providing even more cushion during the compression cycle. For more info on Daystar bumpstops, visit www.daystarweb.com or call 800.595.7659.
Many people looking to increase...
Many people looking to increase the performance and absorption power of their bumpstops equip their rigs with nitrogen-charged ones. These are often referred to as air or hydraulic bumps and use a nitrogen charge along with shock fluid to adjust the bump's damping properties. These are at the top tier of the bumpstop line, as they are more durable and can be tuned similar to a shock absorber.
Most OEM bumpstops are rubber....
Most OEM bumpstops are rubber. These work well to prevent the suspension from cycling beyond its intended endpoint and help absorb impact when load capacity is at is max. Most aftermarket suspension kits will provide you with drop brackets for the factory bumps. Although they are more easily overwhelmed in extreme off-road conditions, they still work efficiently to limit the suspension's uptravel.
A good number of independent...
A good number of independent front suspension applications position their bumps close between the fram rail and the lower control arm. This is done so the bump can act as an active member of the suspension system, essentially working as a secondary spring rate as the bump compresses.
How the bumpstop is positioned...
How the bumpstop is positioned and what it comes in contact with are both important to consider. Often a separate or raised perch is fabricated onto the axle to act as a reliable source for the bump to intercept.
Adjustable bumpstops are an...
Adjustable bumpstops are an extremely popular upgrade, and for good reason. No matter if it's a larger set of cleats or a longer set of shocks, with a simple spin of the threaded adjustment collar you can fine-tune your suspension to exactly where it needs to be.