I have had my Hotchkis springs installed now for a little over a year now and I have been pretty happy with them. Recently an annoying pinging sound began coming from the passenger strut assembly so I took it to Toyota to have a friend check it out. What I found out is that the spring had come loose from its seat and that also the drivers side bump stop had split in two with the a piece laying at the bottom. I called Hotchkis and they said there is nothing they can do but sell me a set for $35. Its rough being that its winter otherwise I would take care of it myself. Has anyone ever had this problem with a bumpstop breaking or know where I can get cheaper replacements for the front? I'm not too sure if it is the product or install to blame, but I was told it was safe enough to drive around for now until the weather heats up.

 

Don't recall how long mine were on when I found out (a lot longer than a year though), but yeah, same thing - mine pretty much disintegrated. I also contacted Hotchkis, and got the same response - buy a new set. That's bs - this is obviously not right.
I ended up cutting the stock bumpstops down to the same height as the Hotchkis stops, and didn't have any issues - eventually ended up switching to coilovers.

 

I would go ahead and order another set, but seeing that this happens often I think I am going to get my hands on an oem set to cut. I believe I have the stock ones somewhere.

 

Was just curious, would it make much of a difference to run the front stock bump stops w/ hotchkis drop, or is it necessary to cut them?

 

I'd cut them to keep full travel with the springs still on. That is major BS about the bumpstops coming apart like that. Shame on Hotchkis!!!!!
Also double nut the top strut nut to be sure they stay tight. Mine used to always come loose and cause a thumping noise.

 

i just got my hotchkis springs installed last week and there has been thumping from all for springs...i took it back to my friend who put them in and he said everything was tight...when you say double nut the top strut do you mean the three strut tower bolts or the center bolt? Am i able to tighten this myself or would i need some sort of impact gun?