Parts for your 1987 Mitsubishi Pajero-Bump stops

1987 Mitsubishi Pajero bump stops — what they do and how to look after them

Bump stops are absolutely fitted to the 1987 Mitsubishi Pajero and they’re a relevant service item. This is confirmed by the Mitsubishi Pajero (L040/L044) Factory Service Manual — see Group 33 (Front Suspension) and Group 34 (Rear Axle) — which illustrates the front jounce bumpers and rear axle bump stops. The Mitsubishi ASA electronic parts catalogue for the L040 series also lists these components, and both Gregory’s Service and Repair Manual No. 514 (Pajero 1983–1991) and the Haynes Pajero/Montero manual (1983–1996) include inspection guidance for bump stops.

On the ’87 Pajero, the independent front suspension with torsion bars uses rubber jounce bumpers on the lower control arms that contact the chassis at full compression. Out back, the live rear axle has frame-mounted bump stops positioned above the axle tubes. Their job is simple but critical: prevent metal-to-metal contact at full suspension compression, protect shocks from bottoming out, keep CV angles and leafs within safe limits, and tame harsh impacts when the vehicle is loaded or tackling rough tracks.

As part of routine servicing, it’s worth giving the bump stops a look. Rubber hardens, cracks and chunks can go missing over time, especially on 4x4s that see corrugations and payload. If the front end is riding on the stops due to sagged torsion bars, you’ll cop a harsh ride and the front geometry won’t be happy.

• Inspect every 10,000–15,000 km or before/after big trips.
• Look for cracks, splits, oil contamination, or the stop being crushed flat.
• Check for shiny impact marks on the chassis or axle that suggest frequent bottoming.

Replacement is straightforward DIY with basic tools. Support the chassis on stands so the suspension droops, remove the retaining bolt(s), clean the contact area and fit a quality OEM-equivalent or polyurethane stop. A dab of anti-seize on fasteners helps the next service. No wheel alignment is needed just for bump stops, but if you adjust torsion bar ride height at the same time, book an alignment.

Touring or lifted? Consider appropriately sized or progressive-rate stops to control up-travel and safeguard shocks and CVs. If the vehicle regularly hits the stops, address the cause — ride height, spring rate, shocks — rather than relying on the bump stop to do all the work.

Where are the bump stops on a 1987 Mitsubishi Pajero?

Up front, the jounce bumpers sit on the lower control arms and strike the chassis rails at full compression. At the rear, the bump stops are mounted to the chassis directly above each axle tube. They’re easy to spot once the wheels are off or the vehicle is safely raised.

How do you know they need replacing?

Tell-tales include visible cracks, missing chunks of rubber, the stop sitting crushed or perished, and a sharp clunk when hitting bumps. If you can see fresh metal contact marks on the chassis or axle, the stops aren’t doing their job and should be replaced.

Can polyurethane bump stops be used on an ’87 Pajero?

Yes. Poly stops are popular for durability and better control under heavy loads, though they can feel a tad firmer. For lifted setups or serious off-road use, extended or progressive designs help protect shocks and CVs by controlling up-travel more predictably.