Polyurethane bump stops and jounce bumpers are components that are typically used in automotive suspension systems to prevent excessive compression or rebound of the suspension system.
Bump stops are small rubber or polyurethane components that are typically mounted on the suspension or chassis of a vehicle. They are designed to prevent the suspension from bottoming out, which can cause damage to the suspension and other components. Polyurethane bump stops are often preferred over rubber bump stops because they are more durable and can withstand harsher conditions.
Jounce bumpers, on the other hand, are larger components that are typically mounted on the shock absorber or strut assembly. They are designed to absorb energy and prevent the suspension from reaching its maximum compression point. Jounce bumpers can be made of various materials, including rubber and polyurethane.
Both polyurethane bump stops and jounce bumpers can offer several benefits over their rubber counterparts. Polyurethane is a more durable material than rubber and can better withstand the rigors of everyday use and exposure to the elements. Additionally, polyurethane bump stops and jounce bumpers can provide a more precise and consistent level of cushioning and damping compared to rubber components, resulting in a more comfortable and controlled ride.
Overall, polyurethane bump stops and jounce bumpers are important components in automotive suspension systems that can help improve ride comfort and prevent damage to the suspension and other components.
SMPUFOAM produces polyurethane bump stops and jounce bumpers for suspension systems, utilized in mountain bikes, military vehicles, race cars, motorcycles and more. Typically, bump stops are made of polyurethane (PU) because of its excellent shock absorbing properties and ability to provide extra cushion caused by impact.
SMPUFOAM partners with automotive component OEMs, sporting goods equipment manufacturers, suspension & shock system companies, and military combat vehicle experts. We deliver rugged, resilient, and durable polyurethane bump stops, designed specifically for each application.
Furthermore, the SMPUFOAM team can formulate polyurethane molds and materials depending upon your desired mechanical properties. Whether it is resistance, compression, or tensile strength – we will formulate a component based on your needs. If a specific color, size, diameter or shape is needed, we will manufacture a bump stop, jounce bumper, or other molded polyurethane solution specific to your suspension system.
Applications for Polyurethane Bump Stops
Polyurethane bump stops are installed in a range of vehicle, bicycle, dirt bike, and other off-road equipment applications such as ATVs. They help prevent the inevitable wear and tear of impact on a suspension or shock system. Typically, the applications for polyurethane bump stops include:
Polyurethane Bump Stop
Regular vehicles (sedans)
Customized off-road vehicles (SUVs)
Military compact vehicles (AFVs)
Race cars
Mountain bikes
Dirt bikes
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
Cargo trucks
Industrial equipment
Shock systems
Generally, bump stops are an ideal solution for any means of transportation with a suspension system. They are most beneficial in applications in which sudden impact may be a factor.
Bump Stops for Vehicles
Bump stops are positioned within a vehicle’s suspension system to prevent damage and improve mechanical longevity. Specifically, a bump stop will protect a vehicle’s axles, shocks, tires, fender and other related chassis parts. Additionally, polyurethane bump stops provide an optimal amount of cushioning, which helps prevent other metal parts from touching one another.
Regular & Custom Vehicles
In regular terrain vehicles, bump stops help absorb the shock caused by potholes, speed humps, curb extensions, bumps, or other obstructive objects in the road. Similar to the way they lessen impact on the vehicle’s suspension parts, bump stops also ensure a more safe, smooth, and more comfortable ride for passengers.
In customized off-road vehicles, crawling rocks and traversing uneven trails filled with twists, turns and obstacles is widely popular. Almost always, this warrants the need for bump stops. Replacing custom vehicle parts is expensive, especially in circumstances where damage is preventable. When you encounter a large pothole, bump stops help prevent the chassis of the vehicle and suspension from touching.
Bump Stops for Mountain Bikes
In mountain bikes, bump stops are designed specifically to keep the rider and the bike’s suspension system protected. While off-road mountain bikes traverse mountains, hills, and trails – the suspension system and shocks are at high risk for bottoming out. Bump stops are vital to a mountain bike’s performance, safety, and overall functionality. They help protect against the common culprits encountered while off road: roots, holes, rocks, divots, fallen debris (tree limbs and branches), hard ground, and more.
One of the more substantial impacts a mountain bike can take is in closed circuit racing. Most courses incorporate jumps and rolling hills. If a mountain bike racer overshoots the landing, having bump stops installed helps alleviate any potential incurred damage to shocks, complete suspension system, and most importantly, the rider.
Jounce Bumpers for ATVs & Dirt Bikes
Similar to mountain bikes, jounce bumpers are often installed in shock systems for ATV’s, dirt bikes, and other off-road transportation methods. However, given that higher speed is a factor, the impact force encountered on an all-terrain vehicle is likely much more extreme than that of a mountain bike.
For these suspension systems, a more durable and larger jounce bumper is required. Most custom built race circuits for ATVs and dirt bikes integrate slopes, plummets, obstacles, and barriers within the terrain. In the event of impact or collision caused by any of these factors, a jounce bumper will help reduce the impact and harm to the ATV or dirt bike’s suspension system.
Bump Stops vs. Jounce Bumpers
A bump stop is also known as a jounce bumper. When a vehicle jolts or bounces (“jounces”), a jounce bumper helps alleviate damage to the vehicle. They come in many shapes, sizes, densities, and geometries. So, depending on the application or design, you may hear them referred to as one or the other, interchangeably.
Why use Polyurethane for bump stops and jounce bumpers?
Polyurethane is an ideal material for bump stops and jounce bumpers. It offers exceptional energy absorbing properties, in addition to being an extremely durable material. The PU formulations made by SMPUFOAM at our Dongguan, facility are geared toward performance, protection and durability. Likewise, our PU materials and components formed at are designed to protect against continuous impact and recurring collision.
SMPUFOAM: Capabilities
SMPUFOAM advanced polyurethane and injection molded thermoplastic (TPU, TPE, TPR) formulations offer exceptional performance for demanding applications that require a protected suspension system.
Our ability to research, formulate, and develop polyurethane materials allows us to custom manufacture bump stops and jounce bumpers, specific to the client’s application requirements. Whether it is a suspension system part for a race car, military vehicle, mountain bike, cargo truck, or industrial machine – our team will work with you to identify the best PU component solution.