Quick question -- what's the sharpest angle the CV joints can operate at without damage? My question is in regards to the upper bump stops. Right now, I have low-profile ones, but they're not that much slimmer than stock. You can get some really slim ones, for more travel, but can you actually damage the CV joints by drooping the suspension too low on the stock suspension...or can you not let the wheel low enough, even without a bump stop there, to damage the joints?

Thanks,

Yes, you can grenade a CV if you take it past its operating range. Typically, at full droop with lo pro bumpstops, you're just about at your limit. Some guys add balljoint spacers between the UBJ and the UCA to get a little bit more droop, but they run the risk of binding the CV's.

Quick way to tell if you're OK...lock the hubs, then shift back to 2wd and jack up the front of the truck under the front xmember and let the wheels hang. Turn the wheels forward. If the halfshaft turns freely, you're fine. You'll be able to tell if it binds.

Duh! Great idea (about jacking it up and turning the wheel). I shoulda thought of that!

I just didn't know if the stock suspension would droop far enough to damage the joints. With the low-pros (about 11/16" thick), I run it so the stock UCAs are about an inch off the stop, so I know I'm in no danger of them binding during normal driving. I was just curious about it if I put the ultra lo-pros on there. I'd have to check it out I guess. Even the UCAs as high as an inch off the stops, they'll still hit if I take a driveway a bit too fast as I crest the top. The Rancho shocks give it a pretty plush ride (I like it).

Thanks again,

I have 1 inch of extra drop on my CV's because of a spacer on my 1997 Pathy and so far everything is ok.

If you're running stock UCA's you shouldn't have a problem, even without bumpstops at all. Think about it, people run custom UCA's for 3 inches of lift without problems, and I guarantee their CV's are at a steeper angle then you'll ever get yours with stock UCA's.

-Spike

bumpstops - are those little rubber bumps that the UCA rest on or stop it correct?

If so, My AC UCA trashed those stock bump stops and they have been missing for quite some time, I'd guess about 3/4 of a year now. This might explain why I'm always trashing my CV Boots.

Any suggestions for replacement Bumpstops for a 94 pathy?

AC sells them for cheap.

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Any suggestions for replacement Bumpstops for a 94 pathy?

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Matt, I got my upper bump stops (the ones the UCAs fall against) at Pep Boys. They're Energy Suspension parts. Cheap and easy. You can see them here:

Upper Bump Stops

Thanks, we have one right down the road from my house.

Also, that bumstop looks larger and more flat then the stock one. This may help with the AC UCA from tearing it up...

Yea I got those same ones from Auto Zone when I noticed one was missing....they seem to work great.

I remember hearing that they start clicking at 18* and bust shortly after that. Doesn't really help, but oh well.

I have Willie Fab custom ultra lo-pros which are about the same size as AC's ultra Lo Pros or maybe smaller. No clicking here.



just shy of full droop

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Also, that bumstop looks larger and more flat then the stock one. This may help with the AC UCA from tearing it up...

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Yes, they're larger in diameter I think, and a bit thinner...about 3/4" thick vs. about 1" thick with the stock rubber ones...so you get a bit more travel with these. The best part is they're not rubber -- they're polyurethane. So they'll last practically forever. You don't get a "soft" hit with these...you can definitely hear/feel when the UCA hits...but it's worth it in my opinion. Energy also make ultra low-profile, probably like what Mr. Will has. I just got the regular lo-pros.

Thanks for the Tip... I just got back from Pepboys and picked a couple up for $8...

Now the tricky part is getting them bolted in...

Ouch those nuts with plastic washers a pain to tighen up in tight places... I can't get a ratchet on it so I have to use a open face wrench...

I had the regular Lo-pros from AC, but they weren't small enough for my taste. So I gave them to DocP and cut down the stock ones. It's been like this for over a year.

I have no upper bumpstops, but I do still have the antisway bar. Been wheelin it w/out uppers for 4 years, and NO CV damage. 'Course, w/the sway bar in there, the suspension NEVER hits full bump, or full droop.