Timbren Bump stops

[guruvetim]

Has anyone tried Timbren bump stops

I was wondering what the difference was between the Timbren ones and a hollow rubber spring of a similar size from AV Industrial, apart from the price?

Timbren ABSTOF Active Off Road Front Bump Stops | Toyota and Lexus

The Timbren ABSTOF is exactly what every off road vehicle needs when offroading a lot for smoother front bump stop control

exitoffroad.com

Hollow Rubber Springs - Truck Buffers | AV Industrial

AV Industrial provide hollow rubber springs & truck buffers. Available in a range of styles & sizes to suit each application. Next day delivery available.

www.avindustrialproducts.co.uk

 

[Grimbo]

I can't see much difference TBH.... I suppose Timbren have done the homework and worked out what rate suits the vehicle .... but AV would be able to help with tech advice .
Fiat Ducato vans use a triple convolution "bump" stop on the rear in conjunction with single leaf rear springs .... they work very well and give a progressive rate without affecting ride quality when running empty . The difference is they are mounted over the axle and are designed to be "springs" so the stress is straight down .
On many IFS systems the "bump" stops are just that... to cushion the limit of travel . I'm not sure what using them as a secondary spring so putting load into the mounting point constantly would do for the life of the arms and bushes .... or even if you would start to see cracks on arms . The OE design would be that the bump stop mount is only stressed at extreme articulation or full compression .

 

[Lorin]

For what vehicle? There’s good info on Timbrens for the 80 on mud. They’re on my list.

 

[Shayne]

My Rapier missile trailer has something similar as its only suspension and I've often wondered what magical rubber seems unaffected by weight or lack of .

I suppose rubber might be the most common trailer suspension .

 

[guruvetim]

I can't see much difference TBH.... I suppose Timbren have done the homework and worked out what rate suits the vehicle .... but AV would be able to help with tech advice .
Fiat Ducato vans use a triple convolution "bump" stop on the rear in conjunction with single leaf rear springs .... they work very well and give a progressive rate without affecting ride quality when running empty . The difference is they are mounted over the axle and are designed to be "springs" so the stress is straight down .
On many IFS systems the "bump" stops are just that... to cushion the limit of travel . I'm not sure what using them as a secondary spring so putting load into the mounting point constantly would do for the life of the arms and bushes .... or even if you would start to see cracks on arms . The OE design would be that the bump stop mount is only stressed at extreme articulation or full compression

For what vehicle? There’s good info on Timbrens for the 80 on mud. They’re on my list.

I'm thinking to get a pair for the front of my 100 series as bump stops, I recon the 70mm single convolution ones will do the job. I'm hoping it will cushion the impact rather than bottoming out which I've done once or twice off road and it doesn't half stop with a thump.. The AV ones are only £14.99 each which is a huge discount compared with the Timbren ones at about $270. Might just buy a pair and see..

 

[Grimbo]

For 14.99 ea it's a no brainer .... someone has to discover the next great thing... it might as well be you ;-)

 

[guruvetim]

I've gone ahead and ordered a pair of the 70mm AV springs, once I get back to Zim I'll stick them on and see how they feel..

 

[guruvetim]

Quick update.

I fitted the hollow rubber springs to the front of my 100 today, I'm very happy with the upgrade. The car handles the pot holes much better than before but the main difference seems to be the overall ride on the road. Noticeably less body roll at the front and it's really noticeable when you go through a big dip in the road at speed.. the front suspension just absorbs the dips like they aren't there..

Stupidly I forgot to measure the ride height before installing them but it does seem to be sitting a little higher, the rubber springs are touching the wishbones and supporting the front a little so I guess it's sitting a little higher.

All in they seem to be working in the same way as the Timbren "Suspension Enhancement System" at a fraction of the cost.. Happy Days.

I will order a second pair and fit them as well as I didn't realise there were 4 bump stops on the front of the 100 series. At around £50 for a pair including VAT and delivery it won't break the bank.

A great upgrade if you have a heavy bull bar or winch fitted to the front of your Cruiser

 

[Grimbo]

Quick update.

I fitted the hollow rubber springs to the front of my 100 today, I'm very happy with the upgrade. The car handles the pot holes much better than before but the main difference seems to be the overall ride on the road. Noticeably less body roll at the front and it's really noticeable when you go through a big dip in the road at speed.. the front suspension just absorbs the dips like they aren't there..

Stupidly I forgot to measure the ride height before installing them but it does seem to be sitting a little higher, the rubber springs are touching the wishbones and supporting the front a little so I guess it's sitting a little higher.

All in they seem to be working in the same way as the Timbren "Suspension Enhancement System" at a fraction of the cost.. Happy Days.

I will order a second pair and fit them as well as I didn't realise there were 4 bump stops on the front of the 100 series. At around £50 for a pair including VAT and delivery it won't break the bank.

A great upgrade if you have a heavy bull bar or winch fitted to the front of your Cruiser

Fitting 4 might ruin the compliance you currently have but for £50 worth giving it a whirl . You have discovered the next great thing ;-)

 

[guruvetim]

Fitting 4 might ruin the compliance you currently have but for £50 worth giving it a whirl . You have discovered the next great thing ;-)

Funnily enough, I had the same thought last night.. Also thinking I might look at the rear springs as well and see if any of their other rubber springs might work on the back.

 

[guruvetim]

Just back from a 1200km trip with the rubber springs fitted and they have performed really well. 800km on Zimbabwean tar with numerous potholes large and small + 400km in the bush and I'm over the moon with the new addition to the front suspension.

Car handles the potholes and rough terrain really well.

 

[uHu]

That sounds like a great idea you had there. Thanx for doing the research and testing.
How far from the A arm is the new, taller bump stop when unloaded? 70 mm must be nearly twice as tall as the original one. Got any pics?

 

[guruvetim]

That sounds like a great idea you had there. Thanx for doing the research and testing.
How far from the A arm is the new, taller bump stop when unloaded? 70 mm must be nearly twice as tall as the original one. Got any pics?

Hi uHu, the new rubber spring sits on the suspension arm and deforms a tiny bit. I suspect it is giving me a few mm of lift but I didn't think to measure before I fitted them.. I'll try to get some pics and upload them later.

 

[guruvetim]

Here's a photo of the rubber spring installed