DrLev99

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DrLev99

Need HELP!

Hi all,

I have my xi up on jack stands in the front and got to inspect my bump stops and strut travel more closely. There is more bump stop than I had originally thought, and I was wondering if I should cut off more, due to my lack of strut travel. I measured 2.5" of exposed travel, from the top of bump stop (with it pushed down against the top of the lower tube) to the top of the strut, with it up on the jack. I am easily riding on the stops in this case. For all I know, all that was cut off was a half inch, for a 1.5" drop. That would require I cut more off.

Take a look. I need to get my rims on before it gets dark...in about 6 hours from now. The current bump stops measure 2 inches. Can or should I cut off that top section (see last pic) for more travel? I am not sure what it looked like before or how long the stock bump stop is. Everyone (esp. xi owners)...go out and jack up your car and measure your stops and strut travel for me!!! Any help is highly appreciated!!!

DrLev99

Ok.....No responses, so I took matters into my own hands. I cut off that section you see on that last photo, a half inch exactly...sliced it easily with a carpenter's knife as I rotated it. I used a random measurement to calculate the distance of the drop (before and after lowering it off the jack). The distance turned out to be a 3" drop.

In the above post, I had 2.5" of travel distance above the 2" bump stop while up on the jack, meaning I had to be riding on the bump stop, compressing it 1/2 inch. Since that section I cut off was 1/2 inch, I should have be about even.

I checked the clearance, Clarence, and I am happy to announce that I am no longer riding on the front bump stops!!! I have about 1/4" of clearance and still about 1.5" of bump stop left. Now, the car hasn't settled yet, so we'll see if it stays that way. Regardless, I am happy with the outcome.

Tomorrow, I will update everyone on the ride....could be awesome or I could break off the front struts and total the car! I am pretty pumped up at this point, just to know I'm off the bump stops. And I don't ever want to use the phrase "bump stops" again for the rest of my life!

MiamiPhill

Doc. hope that fixes the problem, if not you may have to cut off a smig more of the bump stop......to think you were riding around with the car bumping up and down like those import dudes with their big mufflers, booming system, hat on backwards & underdraws showing.

DrLev99

Thanks Phil.

Check out the difference between last July and today. Either it has sagged or the removal of the 1/2" more of the bump stop lowered it even more...or a combo of both. I prefer today's look..will see about today's ride, tomorrow.

BlaSTiWi

D.

I just saw this thread... You probably right all along... the front suspension been riding on the bump stop... I squeezed my finger between the OEM spring to feel the bottom portion of the bump stop while the car on the ground and it's 'bout 1/2" travel gap in there... it seems that the pics confirmed that after you cut it you got more drop.

I'm wondering what C, KU530 & Bambi bump stop look like BTW, d'yaa recall how much did your installer cut it the 1st time?

Anyway on the new look w/ more drop

DrLev99

Thanks, Blastiwi...It's about time you showed up! I appreciate your checking the strut travel remaining on your xi. Now I feel even better! Although I only have about 1/4", it will do. I can't wait to test her out tomorrow.

P.S. You must have arms like twigs to be able to reach in there! And, no, I don't know how much was cut off by the installer, but I hope to find some info re: the OEM length of the bump stops. That will answer that question.

quan717

looks very nice now, thats how a bmw should look from show room!
( even tho you told me to go away)

BlaSTiWi

Naaaahhh... that just to prove how tall the OEM suspension on the xi

DrLev99

I was obviously just kidding! Glad you like it.