Why NOT to install Lowering Springs only...
#71
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 3,987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Alpine White 550i Sport, Cream Beige Interior, 6-Sp Manual - retired 9/2011
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by BlaSTiWi' post='556352' date='Apr 4 2008, 09:26 PM
When I looked mine there's no way for me to check 'cuz it uses hard plastic cylinder/tube unlike the rubber boot upfront, but is there any evidence the rear been sittin' on the bump stop?
So, I cut off 1.25" of stop, leaving me with 1.75"...more than enough left. And then I did similar measurements as I did in the front to deduce whether I was indeed riding on them. My "post-cut" rear strut travel, fully compressed, is now an entire inch. The piece of bump stop I cut off was 1.25"....you do the math. The bumps were pretty much stuck to strut "roof" from being compressed since July. As an added bonus, the rear should get a nice quarter-inch extra drop from this as well.
![Cool](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif)
Tomorrow, I just might have to cut another 0.25" off the fronts depending on how it looks now. I am pretty happy though, and I will be very curious to see if my comfort returns...will advise. If this doesn't work, I give up and will be looking for a new 550i.
![Tongue](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/tongue.gif)
Before and after below, rear right.
#72
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 3,987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Alpine White 550i Sport, Cream Beige Interior, 6-Sp Manual - retired 9/2011
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Ok, so today's update:
I am looking good in the rear with plenty of room now.
As for the fronts, I checked them since cutting them last week, and the front end still seemed to be sitting on or very close to the stops. I couldn't budge it under full compression. So, I cut off another 1/4" inch or so, and that is as far as I can do, with only about 1.25" of stop left.
After checking the strut travel, I have about 1/2" of clearance finally. I took it for a short ride, and there is definite improvement in the rears....big time! No more thumping under my seat, and I can actually feel and even hear the struts compressing over bumps. We'll see how it goes once I am on the highway doing 80.
I snapped an "after" pic of today's clearance after my 2nd cut to the fronts.
I am looking good in the rear with plenty of room now.
As for the fronts, I checked them since cutting them last week, and the front end still seemed to be sitting on or very close to the stops. I couldn't budge it under full compression. So, I cut off another 1/4" inch or so, and that is as far as I can do, with only about 1.25" of stop left.
After checking the strut travel, I have about 1/2" of clearance finally. I took it for a short ride, and there is definite improvement in the rears....big time! No more thumping under my seat, and I can actually feel and even hear the struts compressing over bumps. We'll see how it goes once I am on the highway doing 80.
I snapped an "after" pic of today's clearance after my 2nd cut to the fronts.
#73
Contributors
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Chalandri/Athina/Hellas
Posts: 2,799
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I wonder why don't you remove them completely and put some aftermarket bump stops then? You don't need to de-assemble the struts because they have a "cut" so you can pass them through the strut axle. They are slim enough (about 1/2") You can put 1 piece or 2 if you want, on top of the protection boot.
Here it is
http://cgi.ebay.de/Federwegsbegrenzer-BMW-5er-E34-E39-Mini-hi_W0QQitemZ230236337142QQihZ013QQcategoryZ40192QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
Here it is
http://cgi.ebay.de/Federwegsbegrenzer-BMW-5er-E34-E39-Mini-hi_W0QQitemZ230236337142QQihZ013QQcategoryZ40192QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
#74
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 3,987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Alpine White 550i Sport, Cream Beige Interior, 6-Sp Manual - retired 9/2011
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by nicke60gre' post='556625' date='Apr 5 2008, 04:52 PM
I wonder why don't you remove them completely and put some aftermarket bump stops then? You don't need to de-assemble the struts because they have a "cut" so you can pass them through the strut axle. They are slim enough (about 1/2") You can put 1 piece or 2 if you want, on top of the protection boot.
Here it is
http://cgi.ebay.de/Federwegsbegrenzer-BMW-...bayphotohosting
Here it is
http://cgi.ebay.de/Federwegsbegrenzer-BMW-...bayphotohosting
![Wassat](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/wassat.gif)
Also, some comparison pics below.
Pic 1) Last July, one week after lowering
Pic 2) Yesterday, 1 hour after lowering off jack stands; rear bumps stops cut 1.25" (car was on jack stands for 20 hours)
Pic 3) Today...Got some extra drop after settling overnight!
![Devil](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/devil.gif)
#75
Contributors
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NY
Posts: 14,646
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Silverstone II E60 M5 2012 E70 AW X5 50i Sport w/ LCI Aero Kit and Rocker Panels
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Dayyyyummm! Someone is pimpin' around Pitt these days! ![Tongue](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/tongue.gif)
Looks great Dave! Who cares how it drives now...the car looks SWEEEEET!
![Tongue](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/tongue.gif)
Looks great Dave! Who cares how it drives now...the car looks SWEEEEET!
#76
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 3,987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Alpine White 550i Sport, Cream Beige Interior, 6-Sp Manual - retired 9/2011
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by C's Bimmer' post='557064' date='Apr 6 2008, 05:18 PM
Dayyyyummm! Someone is pimpin' around Pitt these days! ![Tongue](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/tongue.gif)
Looks great Dave! Who cares how it drives now...the car looks SWEEEEET!
![Tongue](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/tongue.gif)
Looks great Dave! Who cares how it drives now...the car looks SWEEEEET!
![Wassat](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/wassat.gif)
I had to remove a picture from the prior thread & add it here, along with a few others...taken today after a good claying and Rejex'ing. BTW, this forum' system doesn't seem to arrange pics in order when I upload.
#78
Contributors
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NY
Posts: 14,646
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Silverstone II E60 M5 2012 E70 AW X5 50i Sport w/ LCI Aero Kit and Rocker Panels
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by DrLev99' post='557072' date='Apr 6 2008, 05:38 PM
Thanks, C! I hope it doesn't look like a pimp-mobile, though!
Speaking of pimp-mobiles...am anxiously awaiting the all-new Calton-Mobile pix...get on it!
I had to remove a picture from the prior thread & add it here, along with a few others...taken today after a good claying and Rejex'ing. BTW, this forum' system doesn't seem to arrange pics in order when I upload. Get on that, Rudy!
![Wassat](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/wassat.gif)
I had to remove a picture from the prior thread & add it here, along with a few others...taken today after a good claying and Rejex'ing. BTW, this forum' system doesn't seem to arrange pics in order when I upload. Get on that, Rudy!
As for the pix, you should stack them after you upload them, so you don't have to scroll to the right. And yes, you can choose what order you want them to fall in. Just know the name of each pic and place it in the order you want it. I do it all the time.
![Thumbsup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/thumbsup.gif)
#79
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 3,987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Alpine White 550i Sport, Cream Beige Interior, 6-Sp Manual - retired 9/2011
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![Big Grin](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/biggrin.gif)
I guess I never really noticed before, but when I used to stop hard at a red light, my front-end never really dipped like it should from the momentum. No strut travel = no possible dip. It should have been an obvious sign that something was amiss. Now, I am happy to report that the front does dip at red lights. Oh, the little joys in life!
![Laughing](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/laughing.gif)
DIY BUMP CUT: The take-home-message for those xi owners out there who want to drop your ride on H&R Sport springs: Cut your bump stops down to final length of 1.25"-1.5" in FRONT and to no less than 2" in the REAR...or replace them with after-market stops to these lengths. This should solve or prevent anyone having issues of riding on the stops.
Thanks for all of the replies. I hope now I can finally start enjoying my ride after almost 1 year of dealing with this "hidden" problem.
![Wink](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/wink.gif)