Tube Bumper Thoughts & Solutions?

[launieg]

A few years ago, my teenage son pushed in the bumpers on his BMW. Same sort of oil filled pistons. We drilled the holes, but one of them did not spurt oil. The oil had solidified into a sort of gel! So that might be why you got "nothing". I can't remember how we got the stuff out. Maybe we drilled a bigger hole and I do remember whacking on the piston (bumpers off the car) with a 2x4 and a hammer.

[TulsaSpider]

Hey guys.
I don't plan on using the tube bumpers at all. I was wondering since I'm not putting them back on. With all that weight off the car. How much of the stock springs should I take off to give it a good look. I would like the car to be either even or just a hair higher in the back so when I do add weight to the trunk. I know it was said to take off one coil in the front and two in the back. But I'm guessing that was with the tube bumpers on. I have nothing to go by since the car is apart and the springs sitting on the ground. Here's a pic with everything off the car.

I think you have it backwards!!! I cut 2 coils in the front and 1 in back lowered it 2" and 1" respectively.

[azygoustoyou]

Thanks,
I think I thought I knew that! By the way. Could you take a pic of your cars lower control arms from the front to show how they sit with the alignment of the cross member now that you have cut your front shocks one coil?
With one coil cut, Are they lower at all then the cross member at any point. Are they pointing downward toward the wheel? I heard when you cut the springs. It messes with the geometry of the suspension. I don't want anymore stress put on any point by cutting my front springs. Thanks

[pope]

Same body and same control arms through the years, and Fiat changed the spring height through the years, so I think you'll be OK

[speedracer]

A few years ago, my teenage son pushed in the bumpers on his BMW. Same sort of oil filled pistons. We drilled the holes, but one of them did not spurt oil. The oil had solidified into a sort of gel! So that might be why you got "nothing". I can't remember how we got the stuff out. Maybe we drilled a bigger hole and I do remember whacking on the piston (bumpers off the car) with a 2x4 and a hammer.

Yeah, I think thats what might be going on here.

Short of pushing the bumper against a wall, I tried alot of things to push that bumper shock in, but to no avail, no movement, no fluid. So I think I will drill the other shock and maybe try the wall. But that sounds dangerous, doesn't it. Maybe I should try what you did with the Beemer, a sledge hammer and 2x4.

One way or the other, they will move!

[ga.spyder]

Keep us posted on whether or not they push in.I might do it this weekend on mine,if it seems to go ok for you.
Craig

[speedracer]

Keep us posted on whether or not they push in.I might do it this weekend on mine,if it seems to go ok for you.
Craig

Sure, let me crush my car up against the wall first!

[fiasco]

Could you take the shocks out and put them in a big bench vice, or C clamp instead of banging on them?

[azygoustoyou]

If you guys don't want to mess with the shocks. Just do what Mike Bouse did and get a 1 3/4 pipe. Drill a hole through it for the bolt to hold it on. Put a flat plate on the end like the shocks and drill the holes to hold the bumpers on. It's just about the same trouble your going through with the bumpers shocks. This way you'll have them if you don't like the end result.

[TulsaSpider]

I'd love to see pics of all these different ideas!

[azygoustoyou]

If you want to save your bumper shock, take a pipe that 1 3/4" OD and like this Rotisserie arm, (shorter of course) weld a flat piece of steel on the end that resembles your shock.

[ga.spyder]

OK, I got mine done and I really like the look .Should have done it long ago.There appears to be a 'sweet spot' when you drill the shocks.The first one I got a drip of oil,I drilled it further back and it was like drilling a Pepsi can! Spewed!! After they were drilled,I couldnt budge them so....I backed against the garage corner Once they are broken loose you can adjust by hand.I am going to pin them from below with a bolt and nut ,or a screw. The Ansa tips stick out a little past the rubber part of the bumper,but not bad.Couple of pix:

[pope]

They do tuck in nicely. Looks great!
Did you do a measurement on how much they moved in? What do you think 3" or so.

[ga.spyder]

I didnt take a measurement,but I would say 3-3 1/2 inches.The bumper design never bothered me,but they always looked like they were too far away from the car.Definitely cleaned it up a little.
Craig

[rlux4]

That looks great Craig.
I've also thought of doing it, but I'm chicken so far. Do the rubber ends come near to rubbing on the body now?
Ron