Bump Stops with Fitting Position Front and Rear, Front Axle for HDT COMMODORE VK Retro

Nolathane bump stops replace worn, cracked or missing factory bump stops with a durable polyurethane alternative that lasts. Sitting between the suspension and the chassis, bump stops are the last line of defence when your VK Retro COMMODORE suspension reaches full compression. They cushion the impact, protect your shock absorbers, springs and mounts from damage, and keep metal components from striking each other over big bumps, dips and potholes.

The range includes front and rear bump stops for specific vehicles, along with bump stop kits to suit various applications. They?re suited to passenger cars, 4WDs, utes, light commercials, performance vehicles and classic restorations.

How Bump Stops Work on the VK Retro COMMODORE

Every suspension system has a limit to how far it can compress. When the vehicle hits a large bump, carries a heavy load or lands hard off-road, the suspension can travel right to that limit.

The bump stop is positioned to make contact just before the suspension bottoms out. As it compresses, it absorbs the remaining energy and brings the suspension to a controlled stop. Most bump stops are progressive, starting relatively soft and becoming much firmer as they?re squashed, so the final part of the travel is cushioned rather than abrupt.

In everyday driving, the bump stop simply sits clear of the suspension. It only comes into play when it?s needed. In those moments, it prevents damage that could otherwise be costly.

Why Bump Stops Matter

A healthy bump stop protects several important components:

• Shock absorbers, which can be damaged internally if they bottom out
• Coil and leaf springs, which can be overstressed at full compression
• Control arms, axles and mounts, which can strike the chassis or body
• Tyres and wheel arches, which can make contact when the suspension is fully compressed

Bump stops also affect how a vehicle feels. When they?re working properly, big hits are absorbed smoothly. When they?re worn or missing, the same bump produces a harsh bang and a jolt through the cabin.

Signs Your VK Retro COMMODORE Bump Stops Are Worn

• A loud bang or thud when driving over speed humps, potholes or dips
• The suspension bottoming out more easily, especially when loaded or towing
• Cracked, crumbling, flattened or split bump stops
• Missing bump stops, often found during a service
• Contact marks where the bump stop should meet the axle, arm or chassis
• Tyres rubbing on the wheel arches under heavy compression

Factory bump stops are often made from rubber or foam, which can break down over time and fall apart completely. Check them whenever the suspension is being serviced.

Types of VK Retro COMMODORE Bump Stops

Bump stops vary in design depending on the vehicle and their position in the suspension:

• Stud-mount bump stops have one or more threaded studs that bolt directly to the chassis, axle or arm.
• Bolt-through bump stops are held in place with a bolt and washer through a central hole.
• Upper and lower bump stops are positioned at different points in the suspension. Some vehicles use both.
• Front and rear bump stops suit each axle?s suspension design and loads.
• Strut-mounted bump stops sit on the shock or strut shaft inside the coil spring on some designs, often protected by a dust boot.

Each listing shows the vehicle, fitting position, mounting style and dimensions, so you can match the correct bump stop.

Polyurethane vs Rubber Bump Stops

Rubber and foam bump stops perform well when new, but they?re exposed to water, dust, road grime, oil and constant impacts. Over time, they harden, crack and crumble, until there?s little left to cushion the suspension.

Nolathane polyurethane bump stops are made tough. They offer outstanding abrasion resistance, high load-bearing capability for 4WDs, utes and towing, flexibility and increased tensile strength. They resist oil, grease, ozone and weathering, so they hold their shape and progressive cushioning far longer than the factory parts they replace.

Bump Stops for 4WDs, Utes and Towing

Vehicles that carry heavy loads, tow caravans or trailers, or travel off-road reach full suspension compression far more often than everyday passenger cars. Every hard landing, washout and loaded speed hump puts the bump stops to work.

On these vehicles, strong, durable bump stops are essential. They protect the suspension from damage and help prevent shocks bottoming out on corrugations and rough tracks. On lifted vehicles, check that the bump stops still engage before the shocks reach the end of their travel, as a change in ride height can alter this relationship.

Bump Stops and Vehicle Handling

Bump stops do more than prevent damage. When the suspension reaches a bump stop, the bump stop works alongside the main spring, effectively increasing the spring rate at that corner. A worn or missing bump stop changes how the vehicle behaves at the limit of its suspension travel. A fresh, correctly specified bump stop restores predictable behaviour when the suspension is fully loaded.

In performance and motorsport applications, bump stops are sometimes used as a tuning tool, with spacers or packers fitted to adjust where the bump stop engages. For most road vehicles, restoring the factory bump stop design with a more durable material is the best approach.

Bump Stops for Lowered Vehicles

Lowering a vehicle reduces the distance between the suspension and its bump stops. If the bump stops engage too often in normal driving, the ride can become harsh and handling unsettled. Check the clearance between the bump stop and its contact point at ride height after lowering, and make sure the bump stops suit the new suspension setup.

Installing Bump Stops on Your VK Retro COMMODORE

Bump stops can be replaced by a workshop or an experienced home mechanic. As a general guide:

• Support the vehicle securely, and take the weight off the suspension where needed for access.
• Remove the old bump stop by unbolting it, or by pulling it off its mount on push-in designs.
• Clean the mounting point, and check the contact area for damage or corrosion.
• Fit the new Nolathane bump stop, tightening studs or bolts to the specified torque.
• Check that the bump stop aligns correctly with its contact point.

If bump stops fit around a shock or strut shaft, check the dust boot at the same time and replace it if it?s torn.

Lifetime Warranty

Nolathane bump stops are backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship, for the original vehicle they?re fitted to. It reflects our confidence in the materials, design and manufacturing standards behind every Nolathane component.

Who Nolathane Bump Stops Suit

Nolathane bump stops suit drivers hearing bangs or feeling harsh jolts from worn or missing bump stops, and 4WD, ute and light commercial owners who tow, carry heavy loads or travel off-road. They?re also used by owners of lowered and performance vehicles protecting their suspension at full compression, by classic car restorers replacing perished rubber bump stops, and by workshops carrying out suspension servicing and repairs.

Shop Bump Stops for Your VK Retro COMMODORE

Worn bump stops are one of many everyday repairs covered by Nolathane's suspension parts range. Custom fitments are covered by universal bump stops.

Find the bump stops for your VK Retro COMMODORE, then order online with fast shipping or have them fitted by a Nolathane reseller. Our fitment guarantee means you get the right part first time, and our local support team can help you choose the correct bump stops for your VK Retro COMMODORE and fitting position.