Originally Posted by
TerryO
Topping out occurs when the shocks are fully extended which limits suspension travel and causes a thump.
Bottoming out is caused by suspension compression where the shock won't compress anymore. Thus the commonly used term bottomimg out.
Neither situation is ideal and should be addressed once experienced as in some extreme circumstances it can be dangerous. You can get both situations arise even if the shocks are the correct length if the shocks have lost their dampening qualities or the spring rates are not in balance with the shocks dampening rates.
It is very important to get springs and shocks that compliment each other, suit the weight of the vehicle and the tasks being asked of it.
If suspenion changes are going to be made that is why its worth the extra dollars to get a suspension expert to set up your vehicles suspenion whether it be car, motorcycle or 4x4. Most of us uninformed masses, myself included, can only try and guess what springs rates, spring lengths, shock dampening rates and shock lengths should be used for our vehicles and the specific tasks we are planning to use them for.
As for justifying the extra cost involved in getting an expert in the field to set up your suspenion it is usually much cheaper and far less frustrating to get it done correctly once by someone who knows what they are doing then having to do it twice because the wrong items were purchased and fitted.
cheers,
Terry