Bump stop rib removal

[swell2316]

Hello all,
I have fitted a H and R Cup suspension kits to my 87 Multivan. I am experiencing a bit of a rough ride and so took a look at the bump stops. The bump stops on inspection only had 4 ribs on them (I believe this is the standard on the Multivan). Does anyone know what is the maximum amount of ribs I can remove to make the ride less harsh?
Many thanks for your attention.

[Titus A Duxass]

Have a read of this on the BY - http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/VehicleSpec ... wering.htm

It's all you need to know about lowering.

[swell2316]

Thanks for that. I have read through the how and why but it's vague as to how many to remove to get the best result. It says "remove one or two ribs" my stops only had 4 to begin with as opposed to the normal 6. I have removed 1 and I'm currently running on 2 but wondered if removing another will increase the comfort or is it going to far? If there's anyone out there who has fitted a H and R cup kit how many ribs are they running on?

[VWCamperfan]

Don't know exactly but I wouldn't remove too many as you may then be using your shock absorbers as a bump stop and they're not going to last very long after that!

[Simon Baxter]

Hello all,
I have fitted a H and R Cup suspension kits to my 87 Multivan. I am experiencing a bit of a rough ride and so took a look at the bump stops. The bump stops on inspection only had 4 ribs on them (I believe this is the standard on the Multivan). Does anyone know what is the maximum amount of ribs I can remove to make the ride less harsh?
Many thanks for your attention.

Strip and rebuild the suspension without the spring, fit the wheel and lower it to the ground, see how much clearance you have then trim to suit, then build it all back together.
Only way to get it right for your van/wheel/weight combo.
What dampers are you using?

[Simon Baxter]

Passenger carrying T3's have 3 rib bumpstops, commercials have 5 rib bumpstops (that means most UK conversions have longer bumpstops)
It's the norm to convert a transporter bumpstop to a Caravelle bump stop by removing the sleeve, removing the bottom 2 ribs then whittling the last rib down to accept the plastic sleeve, hey presto, Passenger carrying bumpstop.
That normally sorts it.
Bumpstop is there to stop damper travelling too far and to stop the tyre clipping the arch, so trim as much as you want off, but remember if you go too far you will be clipping the arch, so all this is relative the the diameter/width and offset of your wheels and your choice of tyres.
H&R springs are firm, but no uncomfortable, and there is no notes about trimming bumpstops in the TUV cert, I take it when you say you have the cup kit then you have green springs, the -55mm ones?
There is a choice of dampers, the Adjustable Konis, so do you have these and if you do are they set too hard?
Or, the Bilstein B6's, which I personally find a little too soft.
The Bilsteins are not adjustable.

[swell2316]

Simon,

Thanks for the Info. My van is a German import Multivan. I have fitted the H and R Cup Kit with the green 55mm springs and Koni adjustable shocks.

When I fitted the kit I didn't touch the the bump stops and had just 1 360 degree turn of adjustment from nothing on the shocks. I found this ride very stiff and feared damaging the underside on large bumps so I reduced the shock adjustment by a further 180 degree turn. This made the ride softer but I still felt the ride was too harsh for the money I'd paid.

I then decided to have a look at the bump stops and found as you mentioned 3 visible ribs. I cut the sleeve away from the ribs and wittled the 3rd rib down and squeezed it on to the sleeve and whilst the shocks were off I removed the final 180 degree turn. The shocks are now on the minimum stiffness and the ride feels a lot better but still not the sort of ride I'd expect from Konis.

I am wondering if it's worth taking the stops down another rib and/or putting a 180 degree turn of stiffness back in the shocks. As I said the ride does feel better but I get the impression the shocks aren't being allowed to do their job properly, they don't feel as though they are absorbing the bumps and are just smashing over the top of them.

What do you think?