Racing Bump Stops

Bump stops are much more than pieces of compressible material mounted on the damper to cushion the suspension and prevent damage to its components. They are also important tuning parts that can change handling behavior on the track. Basically, a bump stop acts as a small spring, and it has a big impact on suspension performance as it directly affects wheel load distribution in corners. The properly chosen bump stops help achieve a balanced aerodynamically-based setup so that you can get the most out of downforce.

Race cars run on stiff suspensions, which provide proper handling control and withstand the action of downforce that can cause bottoming out. However, too stiff springs will reduce mechanical grip which can hurt roll control in corners, so they should still remain relatively soft. Bump stops are one of the common ways to create this balance. By experimenting with these bumpers, which are available in different lengths and densities, and trying different packer settings to change the timing and engagement points, you can achieve optimal load distribution on each of the tires. The combination of progressive bump stops, digressive damper curves, and softer springs is a popular recipe for achieving balanced handling while retaining aerodynamic efficiency.

The right bump stop setup provides excellent bottoming control while making better use of suspension travel. We have a wide range of racing bump stops for you to create a well-balanced system in a simple and affordable way. While rubber bump stops are decent for average driving, due to rate change issues which can cause inconsistent handling, this material is not common in performance and racing applications. Microcellular polyurethane is a worthy choice in this case, as it offers progressive (rather than linear) compressibility while being impervious to heat and oil.