Hey everyone,
here is my second post...I've spent 3 days searching and have yet to come to a definitive answer on this topic. I just purchase a set of Tokico Illumias and H-Tech Springs. Now seeing that the Dust Boots/Bump Stops were torn I went ahead and got OEM fronts and KYB Rears.They will be installed tomorrow morning so here are my questions.... Should I trim them? If so, what length? What do you think? Explain your answers please. Thanks guys!

 

I think the kyb's are already smaller than oem so your rear should be ok

 

I was lowered on Progress springs...one of the most aggressive drops. Never cut mine. Never had any issues.

 

I had prepped everything for tomorrow so I cut the fronts/rears 1.0inch. Tein recommends 1" for the front and 1.3" rear. But because KYB's come smaller than OEM's I think 1" for the rears should be fine.

 

I am a true advocate of cutting bumpstops no matter what the type of springs are or the height at which they lower. I've stated this many times.

As long as you determine the approx. loss of suspension travel related to the amount of bumpstop needed to remove, remove that part of the bumpstop, and you've made a good choice. It sounds like you did your measurements properly. It's not rocket science...


...and you have piece of mind next time you accidentally hit a pot-hole or go over a speed-bump too fast.

 

This ^^^^^^.

Also consider a a softer, or more progressive bump stop to provide a less abrupt transition.

 

H-techs? it wont matter if u cut them or not.

 

I cut mine but I don't think it was necessary since I'm running Progress Tech, I'll be replacing the fronts with uncut KYB's just to see if it rides without hitting the bumpstops....I usually run my Illuminas @ 2F/3R and it's very compliant and comfortable....

 

I don't know HOW you got away with this?!?!
I was on Progress and Illuminas, AND I trimmed the stops, and it was TERRIBLE!
Bottomed on everything, and was harsh-harsh-harsh.
Mind you -- the whole set-up was brand new, and the car only had 15k miles at the time.

I agree with Nismopc: trimming with any drop provides you with the extra clearance you need.

How much of a drop are the H-techs, btw?!
I forget -- but they seem to be one of the more mild / even drops out there.

gr

 

Maybe you trimmed too much!

 

Excessive bumpstop trimming would cause less frequent 'bottoming' (bumpstop compression). Insufficient trimming would cause more frequent 'bottoming'.

I would believe the springs don't provide enough rate increase for the amount of travel reduction. Also, the Illuminas likely lacked significant low speed compression damping to keep off the bumpstops; although this isn't the method one should use to tune damping.

 

I don't think this is entire true. It depends on what is bottoming out. If you trim your bumpstop too much, your shocks/struts will bottom out. I think this is happening to me.

I purchased my 2002 SE with the Illuminas and HTech already installed. Mine crashes terribly hard on big bumps. I don't know what the previous owner trimmed. But I'm 90% sure he trimmed too much. Because if the bumpstops were compressing it should be a more progressive and softer impact. But when mine hits, its just a hard crash. I feel like my dash is going to fall into my lap. So I tend to think that my Illuminas are bottoming out. I am now in the process of deciding if I should purchase new bumpstops and put them in uncut.

 

That could also be becuz they were not cut. If they is no extra play for the illuminas to rebound, they can be crashing down on the rubber bumpstops. Hitting uncut bumpstops even with a stock suspension will jolt the living crap out of you and shake your dash.

 

Here is a question for you. I just got a set of 4 KYB g-2 and ordered the mounts as well. However the KYB boots did NOT come in my order. Can I put another brand of boots and bump stops on the struts or do you think I should wait the extra week to get the KYB's in. I'm not lowering the suspension at all just looking for a smoother ride. I'm just not sure if it will make that much of a difference to go with a bump stop and boot that Advanced or Autozone has in stock. I really just want to get the job done before a trip next week. Thanks for your help.

 

It's true; it's a message of frequency not dynamic loading. Also, no matter how much one trims their bumpstops, they can still be 'bottomed' upon.

I don't quite know where to start, your logic is backwards.

Shorter bumpstops = more 'free' compression travel = less frequent bumpstop impact/larger bumps are necessary to impact the bumpstop.

As nismopc mentioned, your issue is likely uncut bumpstops which close to contact at static ride height. The OE bumpstops are tremendously stiff which makes the transition to contact very noticeable.

Conversely, you may have no bumpstops, but then you must also be hitting those bumps really damn hard to use all the compression travel.

Regardless, maybe you should take a look?

 

do i have to reset my abs after removing it ?

 

?Will any stops and bellows work with another brand?

 

i trimmed mine with my tein s techs and it still bottoms out but maybe thats cause s techs are so rough

 

I have looked before but its been awhile. I am pretty sure that they looked cut but I don't know by how much. I understand what you are saying about free travel. If the bumpstops are as stiff as you mentioned, it could be I need more travel. My point of reference might be off a little as my other vehicle is a Jeep wrangler. In that setup, the bumpstops are very soft. So when you hit the bumpstop its a nice soft cushion and never transfers that hard crashing feeling. So after reading SLCPunk267 post that said he had no problems with untrimmed bumpstops I assumed the Maximas bumpstops must be a soft progressive bumpstop as well. But if that is not the case, I may have to trim more. Can anyone tell me how long the factory bumpstops are so that I have a reference point when I measure mine?

 

I just put-in all new OEM Bellows, and did NOT trim the bumps.
I've got H&R's up front on oem struts, and so far - no bottoming issues.

What i DID notice about trimming the top bumpstop (prev. set was trimmed 1") is that the TOP bumper has "indentations" molded-into the rubber that allow the bellow to be "locked" into place IN the bottom of the strut hat.

This keeps the Bellow (that's "dust boot" for you Rebel muthafukkas) attached to the hat, and IN PLACE, protecting the Strut Piston from external elements, dust, snow, salt, rain, etc.

My old set that was trimmed on top (1") was just flopping-around on the strut piston, and REALLY not doing much good, or at least not performing it's intended function. I believe it was the source of some minor annoying noises too.
I will admit, though, that the strut piston looked just as new as ever.

Anyway -- I am a firm believer in trimming the Bumps on a Lowered Ride of more than 1.3 - 2.0".
As stated before: if you don't trim, you are merely REDUCING the distance of travel of the strut/suspension and you WILL BOTTOM-OUT on bigger road irregularities.

gr

 

I find it a bit ironic that you say your a firm believer in trimming the bumpstops, yet you did not do it and you don't have any problems. Sowhy are you still a firm believer in trimming? Or why didn't you trim if you are a believer?

 

I agree - the statement is a bit duplicitous....
Allow me to explain:

I decided NOT to trim my new Bellows/bumps this time, because I wanted them to "stay in place" on the strut mount. When you cut the top bumper-off the bellow, it will no longer "seat" into the strut hat, and the bellow will simply FLOAT on the bottom of the strut, and not protect the piston.
I am literally experimenting to see if they'll bottom-out any differently than before, when i had the "trimmed" Bumpstops on. So, call it a "two-fold" experiment for now.

Many guys running the H&R's up front have noted that trimming the bumpstops wasn't necessary, given the mild (1.3") drop of those springs....so I decided to try it.

Why I'm a FIRM believer in trimming for any LOWER drop, is because I did NOT originally trim my stops when I lowered my car on Progress springs/Illumina struts, and lemme tell you: BOTTOM-OUT CITY!!
SLCPunk will differ from me in this regard.....but I cannot lie: it was BAD!
i did go BACK and trim the bumps 1" after initial installation, and it DID HELP!
BUT, it still bottomed-out....hard -- but less so with 1" less material on the top of the bellows.
Really - this is simple Physics: more travel, less bottoming.

It's easy to go BACK and trim the bumps, but you CANNOT replace it once it's gone....hence my current "experiment".

Make sense now?!

gr

 

Depends on how you do it. My front and rear are trimmed, still hold the dust boot, and seat nicely in the strut mounts. No movement what so ever.

They fit nice and snug in the strut hat.

 

Yeah, I see your reasoning now. Although if you kept the pieces you cut out you could go back and replace them. Granted they would just kind of float around on the shaft but they would be there to absorb the bump.

I find it very interesting, (maybe confusing is a better word) how some people have no problems without cutting and others do. I think I'm going to have to try to find a way to measure the compression on my struts and then measure how much travel room I have. I still can't tell if I am bottoming out on my bumpstops or on the struts themselves. As hard as it hits I can't believe that the factory bumpstops aren't softer. Does anyone make an aftermarket bumpstop that is softer and would absorb the hit better?

 

Here's the front when I had Vogtlands

and the rear


Running Maxspeeds now, again. Long story...

 

I agree. it IS weird the different impression people have -- but SUBJECTIVE is the name of the game.
My Progress/Illumina combo was TERRIBLE, as far as bottoming was concerned -- handled DAMN well though!
It got to be too much for me after 2.5 years....and I'm sure I probably lost my motor mounts and wheel bearing from that setup.

I don't know of any aftermarket bumpstops that can be added/mounted.

NISMOPC:
What brand of Bellows are those?!
You have the "modular" ones with interchangeable bump stops.....mine are 100% OEM Nissan with the integrated bumps = non-adjustable.

I asked DaveB if Nissan made the ones YOU have, and he said NO -- so i ordered the OEM's.

gr

 

Another one of those, "Is OEM really better??" situations.

I purchased these from NAPA specifically because I did not want the OEM one piece because these are [ uh oh, he's gonna say it] better than OEM!!!

EDIT: Part #'s
NAPA # 265-4127 (F)
NAPA # 265-4131 (R)

 

NOOOOOOOOOooooooooo!!

Yeah - I THINK I should have taken your advice on this one.
But nevertheless....mine are doing fine.

gr

 

Quick update:

I AM indeed getting some moderate bottoming now on the H&R/OEM se struts with the OEM bellows NOT-TRIMMED.

It's not terrible, but on bigger road imperfections and PRONOUNCED expansion joints, etc -- the susp. is reaching the limits of travel.

I SHOULD have bought the "modular" Bellows from napa as NISMOPC lists....but it's too late for that!!

I'm not terribly concerned, as i'll likely have new struts come spring -- it's just a matter of choosing between Blues or GR-2's.

Just a quick FYI.

Don't TRIM -- just buy the NAPA Bellows....much better option!!

gr

 

Sorry if this is out of topic but I need advice in cutting/trimming springs. I was wondering how many inches each cut coil would compensate..

 

You're off-topic.
Search elsewhere....you'll find that mostly, cutting springs is NOT recommended.

gr

 

I never cut mine, and am interested in hearing in detail what your feeling with you think you bottom out?

I consider myself pretty in tune with my car... and have experienced every type of road imperfection out there, from pot hole, land mine, uneven pavement, quarries, cracks, rails, manhole covers, berms, ditch witchs, rocky driveways in the woods etc etc.
and I still can't technically recognize if or when I bottom out. What should it feel like? Of course I've probably bottomed out before but I look at it like a one second scenario and its over before you know it. And yes ive hit bad *** holes where the dash should have popped off into my lap, but It seems like you would bottom out in holes like that with any setup any bumpstop, any bump stop length etc...
I also understand the H&Rs drop dont nessicarily need to cut bumpstops in return, and this wouldnt be a extreme case.

 

I actually have H-tech springs sitting in my house and from the research it looks like illuminas are the best match for those (right or wrong?), you guys are saying to just buy the napa bellows but what exactly is the problem with cutting your old ones? and this may be a stupid question but what exactly would happen if we cut too short?

 

The HTech and the Illuminas do ride very well together.

The problem with cutting the bumpstops too short is that your shocks will bottom out. Or your tire will get into your fender. I'm not sure which is the case. But if your shocks are bottoming out eventually you will damage them. They are not designed to act as the bumpstop. Thats what bumpstops are for. I'm actually considering returning to factory springs since I don't like the way mine crashes right now. I didn't do the install so I don't know if my bumpstops are too long or too short.