Shock absorber baffles

[6670charger]

Is the baffle insert that goes over the shock stem and inside of the spring a necessary part? I'm replacing my shocks, and the baffles for the rear ones are shot on the old strut. Need to know as I don't want to put this all together and then find out I'm missing a necessary part.

Thanks.

[whiskychaser]

Baffles? You mean part 9:
RealOEM.com * BMW E34 525i GUIDE SUPPORT/SPRING PAD/ATTACHING PARTS (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD68&mospid=47405&btnr=31_0132&hg=31&fg=10)
If so, yes you do need them.

[Tiger]

Yes, you need them to protect the shaft of the strut... otherwise struts fail quickly.

[Bill R.]

It depends on the brand and type of shock/strut you're using. Some of the bilsteins say not to use a bump stop, most others do. I was suprised to see that the original equiptment boges on mine had an internal stop that limited outward travel, felt like a spring inside the strut when you extend them all the way.

[6670charger]

OK. I was just wondering. I had never seen anything like that on a car before, although I drive primarily American Makes.

Bought a set for the front, and have the rears on order through BMW.

[Bill R.]

Most american cars that have upper and lower control arms have a big rubber bump stop on the frame that limits the travel of the control arm instead of the shock or strut