hotchkis springs question - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

rwavers · 06-13-2011, 05:09 PM

So I'm looking for some help. I installed the springs myself following the directions from hotchkis and threads on here from other guys leading the way. But the only DIY's I could find was for PFADT springs. All of which used a box cutter to cut the foam bump stops. The hotchkis directions did not call for this step so I didn't do it at the time I did the install.

Did I screw the pooch here? Does cutting the foam bumpstops buy you anything? And yes I realize I probably should have asked this before I spent six hours in the garage doing the swap.

Thanks

Rob

comm54 · 06-13-2011, 05:56 PM

You should call the Hotchkis shop (562) 907-7757

bkscott · 06-13-2011, 06:02 PM

You won't need to cut the bumpstops on the Hotchkiss springs. Phadt recommends this due to the fact that they drop the car more that Hotckiss. You are fine.

caverman · 06-13-2011, 06:47 PM

Correct. You are fine. I've had Hotchkis on my car for about 6k miles. Didn't cut the stops....no issues.

Just make sure that when you go to have it aligned you fined someone that knows how to time your bushings. It makes a difference.....I can tell you from first hand experience not having it done the first time.

rwavers · 06-13-2011, 07:41 PM

Thanks guys. And Caverman, as always thank for the info. I just finished the sticky and saw all your info. I did the install myself and had the alignment done at the local GM/Cadillac dealer. The tech double checked all my work to make sure I didn't miss anything but I didn't ask about timing/seating the bushings. I'm going to give them a call tomorrow and ask him about that and to try and get a print out of what spec's they used. When I was taking it in all i could on here was the Pfadt settings (1.25" in the front) so I didn't give them any guidance. I can't believe I missed the sticky at the top... Wish I had seen that before I took it in.

Rob@WretchedMS · 06-13-2011, 08:19 PM

As has been stated, if Hotchkis doesn't say to cut them do not cut them.

Cutting the bump stops is a bad idea, they are designed to protect the internals of the strut, if you remove the protection of the strut, your likely going to damage the strut if you bottom out.

RichJ. · 06-14-2011, 08:20 AM

What Rob said

PfadtRacing · 06-14-2011, 10:26 AM

You're fine! You didn't completely remove the bump stop, so there is still material there if you end up hitting a large bump and compressing those springs. Even if Hotchkis didn't specifically tell you to trim the bump stop, your car isn't going to fall apart if you did. We direct our customers to trim that stop so they regain a little extra compression travel that lowering springs eat into.

Other companies may not direct you to trim the bumpstops, and they are certainly familiar with their products. I can tell you from personal experience that cutting your bumpstops isn't detrimental to performance or longevity of your shocks. For your specific spring package it may not be necessary, but you didn't hurt anything by doing a little trimming.

06-13-2011, 05:09 PM	#1
rwavers Drives: 2011 Black 2SS Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 66	hotchkis springs question So I'm looking for some help. I installed the springs myself following the directions from hotchkis and threads on here from other guys leading the way. But the only DIY's I could find was for PFADT springs. All of which used a box cutter to cut the foam bump stops. The hotchkis directions did not call for this step so I didn't do it at the time I did the install. Did I screw the pooch here? Does cutting the foam bumpstops buy you anything? And yes I realize I probably should have asked this before I spent six hours in the garage doing the swap. Thanks Rob

06-13-2011, 05:56 PM	#2
comm54 SoCal C5 Family Member Drives: 2SS/RS IBM M6-when she lets me Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 854 View My Garage	You should call the Hotchkis shop (562) 907-7757 __________________ Not all Show Cars are Race Cars... But ALL Race Cars are Show Cars Hurst Short-throw Shifter, CAI Intake, Borla ATAK Cat-Back Exhaust, Hotchkis Race Pack Sport Suspension

06-13-2011, 06:02 PM	#3
bkscott Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Grand Prairie, Texas Posts: 1,608 View My Garage	You won't need to cut the bumpstops on the Hotchkiss springs. Phadt recommends this due to the fact that they drop the car more that Hotckiss. You are fine. __________________ 94 Firebird Formula (Drowned 08/30/05) 2010 IBM 2SS/RS 6M Arrived 3/25/10. ADM CAI, Borla Type S Cat Back, VMAX Ported TB, LG Short Throw Shifter, 1LE Shocks, Hotchkis Sway Bars, Whiteline Cradle Bushing Inserts, Custom Powdercoated ZL1's ,Michelin Pilot Supersports, Stainless Power Headers, Solo J Pipes, AAC LED Sidemarkers, ZL1 Rockers, SLP Splitter, ADM Stage II Cam,ZL1 Diffuser,Vitesse Throttle Controller.

06-13-2011, 06:47 PM	#4
caverman Drives: '69 SS Convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 7,111	Correct. You are fine. I've had Hotchkis on my car for about 6k miles. Didn't cut the stops....no issues. Just make sure that when you go to have it aligned you fined someone that knows how to time your bushings. It makes a difference.....I can tell you from first hand experience not having it done the first time. __________________ *-2010 Camaro* 2SS \| M6 \| VR w/White Stripes \| 1 3/4" KOOKS - 3" Magnaflow \| LPE 3.91 gears \| ADM tuned \| Halltech w/ADM Scoop \| Spohn/BMR Trailing Arm/Toe Rod \| BC Coilovers\| Pedders FE4 ZL1 swaybars \| Cradle/Diff/Radius Rod bushings \| VMax TB \| Morimoto Projectors \| MGW shifter \| Red Calipers Build Journal

06-14-2011, 10:26 AM	#8
PfadtRacing Drives: 2010 Camaro, 2006 Z06 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 3,370	You're fine! You didn't completely remove the bump stop, so there is still material there if you end up hitting a large bump and compressing those springs. Even if Hotchkis didn't specifically tell you to trim the bump stop, your car isn't going to fall apart if you did. We direct our customers to trim that stop so they regain a little extra compression travel that lowering springs eat into. Other companies may not direct you to trim the bumpstops, and they are certainly familiar with their products. I can tell you from personal experience that cutting your bumpstops isn't detrimental to performance or longevity of your shocks. For your specific spring package it may not be necessary, but you didn't hurt anything by doing a little trimming. Last edited by PfadtRacing; 06-14-2011 at 10:41 AM.

06-13-2011, 07:41 PM	#5
rwavers Drives: 2011 Black 2SS Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 66	Thanks guys. And Caverman, as always thank for the info. I just finished the sticky and saw all your info. I did the install myself and had the alignment done at the local GM/Cadillac dealer. The tech double checked all my work to make sure I didn't miss anything but I didn't ask about timing/seating the bushings. I'm going to give them a call tomorrow and ask him about that and to try and get a print out of what spec's they used. When I was taking it in all i could on here was the Pfadt settings (1.25" in the front) so I didn't give them any guidance. I can't believe I missed the sticky at the top... Wish I had seen that before I took it in.

06-13-2011, 08:19 PM	#6
Rob@WretchedMS Drives: His Wife Crazy Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Silas Deane Auto,CT Name: Rob Anderson Posts: 1,789	As has been stated, if Hotchkis doesn't say to cut them do not cut them. Cutting the bump stops is a bad idea, they are designed to protect the internals of the strut, if you remove the protection of the strut, your likely going to damage the strut if you bottom out.

06-14-2011, 08:20 AM	#7
RichJ. Shop Owner Drives: 1 ton silverado Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Medina Oh Posts: 154	What Rob said

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