Intrax springs & KYB strut boots problem

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[TurboSedan]

when i picked up my Cutlass at Midas today after the strut cartridge installation & alignment they told me my car "rides like a tank"  it was actually one of my friend's Tony that works there, who used to own a Monte Carlo Z34 (now drives an Ion Redline i was hoping i could race before i left....oh well).

anyway, he said the problem isn't that Intrax springs are too stiff; it's because the KYB strut boot/jounce bumper is severely limiting suspension travel combined with the Intrax lowering springs.  IOW, it will bottom out easily and feel harsh.  he said the "fix" is to simply cut the jounce bumper so it's shorter.

anyone know exactly how or where to cut?  like for instance - maybe cut 1/2" off the top of it?  i don't think cutting off the bottom would be an option because that would mean cutting off the strut boot section.

any ideas or suggestions welcome,

thanks.

[Invasion1]

Makes sense im a gonna cut mine then  

Cut the top i say  :neutral:

[R Dubya]

the bumper is the piece that goes under the boot correct?  I can't think of any better way to describe it than by saying it looks like a dairy queen ice cream right?  That's good to know Josh, because my car bottoms out BAD sometimes, it shakes the shit out of the whole car.  

Disappointing too, because it looks so good, and it drives like its on rails.  Things to do in the spring, this tops the list!!  FFP co's as well.  

That metal leaf was the biggest mistake I ever made.   Besides buying this car in the first place.

[TurboSedan]

the bumper is the piece that goes under the boot correct?  I can't think of any better way to describe it than by saying it looks like a dairy queen ice cream right?  That's good to know Josh, because my car bottoms out BAD sometimes, it shakes the shit out of the whole car.  

Disappointing too, because it looks so good, and it drives like its on rails.  Things to do in the spring, this tops the list!!  FFP co's as well.  

That metal leaf was the biggest mistake I ever made.   Besides buying this car in the first place.

actually, the bumper is above the boot secton on the KYB integrated strut boot/jounce bumper piece.  as for stock i can't really remember...anyone else know?

[R Dubya]

so it isn't the piece that slides over the srut shaft?  Hmm.. I'm not sure if I know what you are talking about then.  Can you post a pic when you do it?

[TurboSedan]

there is a pic of the KYB strut boot/jounce bumper on the left:



after looking at that i don't really know how i'd go about cutting it shorter.  maybe i'll just buy a different brand strut boot and jounce bumper later....ones that aren't integrated into one piece like KYBs are.

and yes it does slide over th strut shaft:

[R Dubya]

now that piece slid into the top of my strut mount, and the nut goes on the shaft.  Now, I can't really understand how what would make it softer.  I will have to take it apart and check it out.  

Think that will really work?  Damn you're up early, it was 8 am here when i posted on the east coast, you're what, mountain time out there right?

[GOT2B GM]

Can you just use a stock w-body strut boot which is larger in diameter, and then trim the bottom of the jounce bumper?

[AWeb80]

I used the stock yellow bump stop and cut it in half and threw away the bottom and just used the top of it.....i've never bottomed out.

[TurboSedan]

now that piece slid into the top of my strut mount, and the nut goes on the shaft.  Now, I can't really understand how what would make it softer.  I will have to take it apart and check it out.  Think that will really work?  

i think it's because suspension travel is so limited that when you hit any small bump it will hit the jounce bumper and therefore make the suspension feel harsh.  fwiw, when i had the strut boot/jounce bumpers & strut mounts out i could bounce the front end very easily by hand.  with the struts now installed it's REALLY STIFF!!  i can hardly bounce the front end at all.  of course, i know the the suspension will be really soft with no strut to control the spring oscillation, but the KYB GR-2 struts aren't that stiff.  so i think i'm REAL close to the jounce bumpers as it is and that is why my car feels like it "rides like a tank".  this whole problem might not be an issue when using stock type jounce bumpers.  i completely forgot how they are installed ect (the only thing i remember is that they were yellow lol).

Damn you're up early, it was 8 am here when i posted on the east coast, you're what, mountain time out there right?

more like up really late doing laundry and cleaning my garage  i have a ton of last minute stuff to take care of before i leave for VA.

[TurboSedan]

Can you just use a stock w-body strut boot which is larger in diameter, and then trim the bottom of the jounce bumper?

i think that's going to be my plan (like Adam did), and then i'll just buy some Monroe strut boots or something.

[Invasion1]

Agreed i thought that is what you orignally ment....the jounce bumper

[TurboSedan]

well i picked up my Cutlass today and it is definately one bouncy ride!  i really think the problem is the KYB strut boot/jounce bumper i used and NOT the Intrax springs or the KYB GR-2 strut cartridges.  i talked to my friend Tony again when i picked up the car and asked him how much space there was between the jounce bumper & bottom of the strut (with tires/wheels on sitting on the ground) and he said about 3/4" :shock:  maybe he was exaggerating a little but considering the way it rides i tend to believe him.  he seemed to think the KYB strut boot/jounce bumpers i had were actually for the rear but i think he only thought that because the KYB design is different than OEM (ie it's an integrated part)

the good news is is that it's not that bad...it's bearable enough to drive as is (even across the country) but i'm definately going to be fixing this problem soon.  i'm going to buy some new GM jounce bumpers, cut one section off the bottom and buy some Monroe strut boots.  and a GM brand W-body strut tool of course

[DiscoStudd]

The boot you have pictured is a front boot.  The KYB rear boots have the integral jounce bumper just like the fronts do, but the top of the bumper is tapered so it fits into the KYB upper strut mount...