First off I'm new here and I would just like to say hello. now down to business. I just got a set of Tokico gas shocks, I'm reading through the directions and it says that you need to have bumpstopers

Do not remove or operate your vehicle without bumpstops. If you need extra suspension travel please shorten your bumpstops.

Two questions. One what the heck do bumpstops have to do with my suspension? I thought they regulated the distance between the bumper and the body of the car. Two do I need to buy a set of "bumpstops" or would they be part of the stock assembly? Thanks for the help,

Charlie.

Bump stops are rubber or urethane cylinders that go underneath the upper spring seat and surround the shock shaft.

They keep the spring rate from going to infinite (solid, no suspension, very bad thing!) if all shock travel is used up.

It's been a very long time since I've seen a stock upper spring seat, but I believe the bump stops are built in. If you have coilovers they would need the addition of a bump stop.

On a 240Z (probably 260 and 280Z's too) the bump stop is built into the "hat" that goes over the spring to keep it compressed and secure to the strut housing. BUT, after 30 years most of them have disintegrated due to age and weather. You can usually get Urethane replacement bump stops at well stocked parts stores (they wouldn't be specific to a Z car) or from suspension parts retailers on the net. They keep your strut (shock) from "bottoming out" and destroying itself if the suspension gets fully compressed.

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to take Bambikiler240's advise and get some new ones due to the fact that mine are probably shot. Thanks again,

Charlie

Charlie:

Use mperdues pic for reference and look at your car to see if yours are mangled up or gone. Maybe the previous owner replaced them. (it's possible) For the front suspension, you can just turn the steering to full lock to view. For the rears, you may have to pull the tire to get a good view.