I just ordered a lot of stuff for my fit, tanabe GF210s, HKS exhaust, Fujita5 CAI and 16" 5zigen FN01R-Cs in black polish . The one thing I'm curious about is installing the springs. I've never done it myself. I've changed struts out before so I know changing the spring won't be much of an issue but when you guys refer to the bump stop, you're talking about the rubber boot at the top of the spring right? If so, how much do you cut it off for lowering and where do you cut it?

Thanks in advance!

 

You should trim about 1.5"

 

search for the T1R springs install if you can't find one for the Tanabe's. there's pics on how much to cut off and what not. good luck.

 

what happens if you dont cut it? i didnt cut mine

 

in that diagram, which arrow is point to the bump stop?

 

It would be a stiffer ride very little strut travel, if any deppending on which springs you went with. the shop that instaled my springs did not cut them and the front struts were resting on the bump stops. when I had the coilovers put on they cut the bump stops and my ride was a lot smoother and more comfortable. I could be wrong but I do not belive that by not cutting your bumpstop you will do damage to your car.

It is the coke bottle looking thing.

 

When you get to the install, the bump stop sorta looks like a yellow/orange colored piece of thick foam. U can't miss it. It is NOT the rubber boot at the top. Get to the install and u'll see it. As far as cutting it, the bump stop is there to not let the strut travel to the end of the shaft to ruin it in case you bottom out the car (like hit a really big pothole or dip). I cut mine about 20mm (instructions says 15-25mm) on my tanabe gf210's. So far, i have never hit the bump stop so i think my cut was perfect. I'd recommend cutting 20mm off also.

 

This it from the T1R S-coils thread.

 

hey guys,

i may be lowering tomorrow or sometime this weekend....

when i cut the bumpstop, which piece to i reuse? the bigger piece? or the smaller 20mm piece?

 

the piece you cut (20mm) you remove.

 

thanks! fronts are done. now time for the rears.

 

The bump stop prevents the piston in the strut from reaching the bottom of the strut. Most often it is the elastic sleeve bushing around the piston rod that sets on top of the strut. Sometimes it is a bushing on the suspension that prevents the upper arm from dropping too far. And sometimes they are internal to the strut.
In my shop manual they identify the bump stop in the drawing on 18-24. not the one Jimmie posted, but another photo shows the stop very well. By the drawing it is fairly long. Our rule here is never cut more than an inch from any bump stop. One of the things most slammers have is busting the shock. Regardless how 'cool' it is, lowering more than an inch is simply not good practice. Again. I'm hesitent to cut more than an inch but its your choice.
Good luck.

 

what happens if you never bothered to cut the bump stop rubber lowered on skunk2 springs?

 

You only shorten suspension travel. No big deal. And in fact that is prefered to save from shock damage.

 

mahout- he stated 20mm

one inch is 25.4mm...

 

Try as I may I couldn't find anything in Joshua27's post about 20 mm.That unfortunately is why quoting is needed. Did he say so later? Shortening by ,8" is indeed less than 1".

 

mahout- i was replying to bacalia who was asking about 20mm.

 

thanks again, dude. i never cut bump stops on any of my previous cars, so i wasn't sure. but in looking at the bumpstop, there's no way you'd survive with just the 20mm piece installed......

 

you install the spring yet bacalia?
if so how you liking it?

 

not bad. it's really low, though. i knew it going in, but i may go for a more conservative drop, now that i've experienced the skunk2's for myself. but boy, do they make your car look good! i'm just not sure i can sustain the drop for too long.

but thanks again for the hookup! i'll get some pics up just as soon as i can get my baby all cleaned up.

peace!