Abstract: A shock absorber includes an elastomeric jounce bumper which engages a jounce bumper cap during relatively large compression movements of the shock absorber. The jounce bumper cap includes a jounce bumper nose retaining feature which engages the nose of the jounce bumper during the compression movements. The jounce bumper nose retaining feature restricts sliding movement of the elastomeric jounce bumper with respect to the jounce bumper cap to eliminate noises associated with the relative movement.

Abstract: One variation includes a top mount, integrated housing and spring bearing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a damper having a jounce shock. The damper includes a top mounting portion adapted to couple the damper to a vehicular frame and a bottom mounting portion adapted to couple the damper to a vehicular suspension system. The damper further includes a damper tube assembly disposed between the top mounting portion and the bottom mounting portion. The damper tube assembly includes a jounce shock system and a rod having a first piston and a second piston. The rod is movable within the damper tube assembly from a first position to a second position, and the second piston engages the jounce shock system as the rod approaches the second position.

Abstract: The strut mounting reinforcement unit of a vehicle includes a shock absorber housing cover in which a strut may be inserted, the shock absorber housing cover being mounted to a vehicle body together with the strut, a shock absorber cover panel covering an upper portion of the shock absorber housing cover to be mounted to the vehicle body, and a closed space formed between the shock absorber housing cover and the shock absorber cover panel, thereby improving strength of a strut mounted portion of the vehicle body.

Abstract: When manufacturing an upper support which includes a cup piece as an inner piece, an outer piece, and a rubber elastic body integrally vulcanize adhered thereto, the shape of a tubular portion of a cup piece before integral vulcanized adhesion with the rubber elastic body is a shape having a large diameter portion at a top portion continuous with a flanged portion, a small diameter portion at a bottom portion, and a stepped portion therebetween. Following integral vulcanized adhesion with the rubber elastic body, only the small diameter portion is diameter widened by press-fitting a diameter widening jig to impart pre-compression to the rubber elastic body. No roll-back deformation of a flanged portion occurs when integrally vulcanize adhering the cup piece to the rubber elastic body, and also when imparting pre-compression to the rubber elastic body by diameter widening a tubular portion of the cup piece.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a shock absorber apparatus that includes a bump stopper coupled to a piston rod of a shock absorber. A piston housing comes into contact with the bump stopper when the shock absorber is moved vertically. A support supports a spring surrounding the piston housing. An air cap extends from an upper end of the piston housing to the support so as to cover the piston housing and has an upper surface through which a piston rod passes, a side surface downwardly extending from an end of the upper surface, and an air channel through which compressed air of the bump stopper is guided and discharged to the support.

Abstract: Conversion assemblies and conversion assemblies combined with automotive shock absorbing assemblies for automotive use, such as shocks and struts. There is disclosed herein, in combination, a conversion assembly and an automotive shock absorbing assembly for automotive use, said automotive shock absorbing assembly being selected from the group consisting of shocks and, struts.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system including a shock upper mount assembly mounted to vehicle structure, a jounce bumper being made of an elastomeric material and including a vertically extending rod bore around a rod of a shock absorber, and a jounce rate cup. The jounce rate cup is made of an elastomeric material and includes a horizontally extending support flange having a lower surface mounted on the jounce bumper, a horizontally extending dust boot attachment flange spaced from the support flange and having an upper surface located below and adjacent to the shock upper mount assembly, and a vertical flange extending between the support flange and the dust boot attachment flange to define a gap between the support flange and the dust boot attachment flange, with the jounce rate cup including a vertically extending rod bore mounted around the rod.

Abstract: A spring assembly includes telescopically adjustable inner and outer members biased in an extension direction by a coil spring. A non-stretch fabric sleeve fitted about an inner diameter and an outer diameter of the coil spring is closed at its opposite ends to apply a compression preload to the coil spring. The fabric sleeve prevents transmission of the preload to the inner and outer telescoping members, thereby eliminating stickiness and the popping sound that are drawbacks of the prior art, and the fabric sleeve also provides general noise reduction when the spring assembly changes length.

Abstract: A rebound stopper of a strut assembly for a suspension in a vehicle, may include a steel plate combined with a strut and being fitted over an upper end of the strut which has passed into a car body, a rubber plate fitted around an outer circumferential edge of the steel plate, and a mass damper combined with the rubber plate and functioning as a damper by resiliently moving relative to the rubber plate during a rebounding motion of the strut assembly.

Abstract: A jounce bumper can be dimensioned for securement along an end member of a gas spring assembly adjacent a sensing device. The jounce bumper can include a bumper body with a sensing passage extending their through such that the sensing device can communicate through the sensing passage. A gas spring assembly including a sensing device and such a jounce bumper as well as a suspension system including one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also included.

Abstract: A bushing having a variable and controllable hardness, and a method of restricting movement comprising using such bushing.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system including a pair of spring seat retainers. One of the spring seat retainers includes a flange and a pocket portion extending from the flange to a distal rim. A jounce bumper is mounted to the pocket portion of the spring seat retainer and extends from the rim. A band encircles the rim for preventing deformation of the rim upon compression of the jounce bumper.

Abstract: A mount assembly for a suspension damper is provided which includes a piston rod extending about an axis and a mount housing. A jounce bumper is axially positioned about the piston rod and has an end surface and a radially outer surface. The jounce bumper is formed of a first deformable material selectable for absorbing energy from an axial force applicable through the piston rod. A jounce bumper cup formed of a second deformable material selectable for absorbing additional energy fits onto the end surface of the jounce bumper. The jounce bumper cup has a wall portion extending sufficiently around the radially outer surface of the jounce bumper to retain it in position and a load mount portion extending to the mount housing and being configured to absorb the additional energy.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system including a shock upper mount assembly mounted to vehicle structure, a jounce bumper being made of an elastomeric material and including a vertically extending rod bore around a rod of a shock absorber, and a jounce rate cup. The jounce rate cup is made of an elastomeric material and includes a horizontally extending support flange having a lower surface mounted on the jounce bumper, a horizontally extending dust boot attachment flange spaced from the support flange and having an upper surface located below and adjacent to the shock upper mount assembly, and a vertical flange extending between the support flange and the dust boot attachment flange to define a gap between the support flange and the dust boot attachment flange, with the jounce rate cup including a vertically extending rod bore mounted around the rod.

Abstract: A bracket is provided to mount a shock absorber to a vehicle body. The bracket is configured to couple a distal end of a piston rod of the shock absorber to a vehicle body. The bracket is molded of a plastic material and includes a body having a recess formed thereon, the recess allowing a bush assembly to be inserted therein, and a flange extending from the body. The bracket is molded integrally with a metal insert.

Abstract: A mount structure for a vehicle damper, configured in such a manner that an end of the piston rod (33) of the damper (17) is supported by a vehicle-side member (51). A nut (57) engaged with the male thread section (42) formed on a reduced diameter section (41) of the piston rod (33) collectively fastens upper and lower gripping members (55, 56), a collar member (54), and upper and lower elastic sections (52, 53) to the reduced diameter section (41). An input from the damper body (38) side is transmitted to the vehicle body-side member (51) through a transmission member (58).

Abstract: A gas spring and gas damper assembly can include a gas spring and a gas damper. The gas spring can include a first end member, a second end member and a flexible wall that at least partially form a spring chamber. The gas damper can include first, second and third damper elements that are telescopically interconnected with one another. At least one of the first and third damper elements can be operatively connected to the first and second end members by way of a low-profile misalignment mount capable of undergoing resilient angular deflection. The second damper element can be operatively supported between the first and third damper elements. A method of assembling a gas spring and gas damper assembly is also included.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved Micro Cellular Urethane (hereinafter ‘MCU’) bump stop/spring aid having a plurality of struts adapted to level the rate transition as sections are folded onto one another. MCU bump stops/spring aids are well known in the art to assist vehicle suspension systems. More particularly, bump stops/spring aids are frequently used with vehicle suspension systems in connection with shocks and strut assemblies. These assemblies provide a comfortable ride in addition to influencing the control and handling of the vehicle. The struts are positioned around the circumference of the MCU bump stop/spring aid. The added struts between the undercuts partially support the outer surfaces of the MCU bump stop/spring aid. Struts are generally molded between the outer surfaces. Struts may also be molded on an inner surface. The plurality of struts improves upon existing technology by improving performance characteristics.

Abstract: The suspension thrust bearing device comprises a rolling bearing 44 forming an axial stop and a support element 42 for the rolling bearing forming bearing means for a spring, the rolling bearing comprising a bottom ring 48 in contact with the support element, a top ring 46 and a plurality of rolling elements 50 positioned between the rings. The support element 42 comprises a body 60 and a stiffening insert 66 at least partly covered by the body. The body is formed of a rigid material 62 for the transmission of axial forces between the spring and the rolling bearing and a flexible material 64 to provide at least one dynamic seal 84b, 86b inside the device. At least a part of the rigid material is situated radially between the flexible material and the stiffening insert.

Abstract: The suspension bump thrust device for a motor vehicle comprises a lower supporting cover 20, an upper elastic bearing seat 18 designed to be attached to the chassis of the motor vehicle, and a rolling bearing 22 forming an axial thrust placed axially between the supporting cover and the bearing seat. The bearing comprises a lower ring, an upper ring and at least one row of rolling elements placed between the said rings. The bearing seat comprises an axial retention means 34d for the supporting cover arranged on a skirt 34c of the said seat and interacting with a complementary axial retention means 50e for the said cover. A cup 36 for reinforcing the bearing seat forms the upper ring of the rolling bearing. The reinforcing cup 36 comprises an axial portion 36a resting against the skirt of the bearing seat and a radial portion 36b radially extending the axial portion inwards.

Abstract: Jounce bumper (14) for mounting in a vehicle suspension system comprising a shock absorber with a cylinder and a slidable piston rod (12), the jounce bumper (14) including an elastically compressible bumper portion (24) comprising an axially extending central bore (15) for receiving the piston rod therethrough, a mounting portion (18) positioned at one end of the bumper portion configured for mounting the jounce bumper to a component of the vehicle suspension system, and a bending lip positioned at an opposite end of the bumper portion and configured to generally surround the piston rod, the bending lip comprising a contact edge configured to contact a striker plate of the shock absorber during compression of the shock absorber. The contact edge is configured to contact said striker plate on only part of a closed circumference surrounding the piston rod, at least during initial contact between the bending lip and striker plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of bonding suspension components which creates strong and durable bonding layer by using a chemical coating compatible with MCU. The bonding material uses coating materials to form an intermediated property bonding layer. This bonding layer prevents corrosion on the metal suspension components. The coating has the correct chemical activity to chemically bond MCU at the molecular level during the standard curing reaction. The coating provides an intermediated property layer to improve cyclic fatigue bonding performance, and bond effectively during molding and manufacturing operations.

Abstract: A bearing, having: a support for fastening the bearing to a first body; a supporting bearing for fastening the bearing to a second body; and a multilayered spring which is integrated into the support and/or the supporting bearing and has an elastomer track which is arranged between two cover plates, wherein at least one of the cover plates has at least one projection which extends into the elastomer track from the one cover plate in the direction of the other cover plate.

Abstract: Embodiments of a dual path hydraulic strut mount are provided, as are embodiments of a vehicular suspension system including a dual path hydraulic strut mount. In one embodiment, the dual path hydraulic strut mount includes an outer elastomeric module and an inner hydraulic module, which is mounted in the outer elastomeric module. The inner hydraulic module is configured to operate in an active damping mode for axial displacements of the dual path hydraulic strut mount less than a threshold value and in a substantially inactive damping mode for axial displacements of the dual path hydraulic strut mount greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: A mount structure for a vehicle damper, configured in such a manner that an end of the piston rod (33) of the damper (17) is supported by a vehicle-side member (51). A nut (57) engaged with the male thread section (42) formed on a reduced diameter section (41) of the piston rod (33) collectively fastens upper and lower gripping members (55, 56), a collar member (54), and upper and lower elastic sections (52, 53) to the reduced diameter section (41). An input from the damper body (38) side is transmitted to the vehicle body-side member (51) through a transmission member (58).

Abstract: A cord reinforced resilient membrane (or diaphragm) having a high radial (transverse) stiffness and a relatively low axial stiffness, wherein the cord reinforced resilient membrane has adapatability for use in both hydraulic and conventional strut mounts, as well as other applications, and wherein the radial stiffness provided by the cords is directionally tunable for utilization in a particular application.

Abstract: To provide a bump stopper (1) having constricted parts (2A, 2B) in the circumferential surface and exhibiting buffering action by deforming resiliently when an annular distal end portion (3) collides against a partner member (61) in a state that a bump stopper central axis (0) is inclined to a collision surface (62), without sliding on the collision surface (62), thereby generation of noise being suppressed, the distal end portion (3) has a outside diameter and an inside diameter which expand toward the end, a diameter d1 at a collision start point (4) at the most distal end of the inner diameter surface is set substantially equal to or larger than the outside diameter d2 of the constricted part (2A) located just above it, and the distal end portion (3) deforms to tilt further to the outer diameter side through action of moment at the time of collision.

Abstract: A mount for supporting a vibration damper in a vehicle has a cap provided with an anti-twist surface and configured to extend through a recessed support surface of the vehicle. The mount is provided with a retainer operable to couple the anti-twist surface to the support surface so as to suspend the vibration damper on the vehicle before and independently from fastening the vibration damper to the vehicle.

Abstract: An insulator for a wheel suspension system of a vehicle is formed of an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material defines a channel that provides increased flexibility to the insulator and defines an increased density about the channel that increases the durability of the insulator. The suspension system includes a support structure adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, a piston rod disposed within the aperture and displaceable relative to the support structure along a line of travel, and a plate mounted to the piston rod. The insulator is compressibly disposed between the support structure and the plate. The exterior channel increases the flexibility of the insulator to distribute localized stress on the insulator by the support structure and the plate. The increased density about the channel increases the durability of the insulator about the channel when the support structure and the plate exert a compressive force on the insulator.

Abstract: A multistage jounce bumper, including a jounce bumper cushion integrated with a hydraulic jounce bumper, wherein provided are the damping characteristic of the hydraulic jounce bumper and the damping/spring characteristics of a jounce bumper cushion. The hydraulic jounce bumper hydraulic response is tunable via adjustment of hydraulic flow with respect to a communicating hydraulic fluid reservoir. When maximum jounce is approached, jounce force and energy are exchanged, at a first stage, with the jounce bumper cushion, then at a predetermined compression, jounce force and energy are exchanged, at a second stage, with the hydraulic jounce bumper. Thereafter, a mechanical abutment is provided as a third stage of jounce management.

Abstract: A suspension stop for a motor vehicle has an upper cup, a lower cup and roller bodies arranged between the cups to permit the relative rotation thereof. The cups are designed to have at least one annular space between them. The stop further has a seal element arranged in the annular space with a sliding contact with each cup. The seal element is arranged to be mobile with relation to at least one cup.

Abstract: Disclosed is a strut mount wherein an inclination of an outer circumferential surface of an outer cylinder (2) with respect to the central axis of the outer cylinder (2) is greater than that of an inner circumferential surface of a tapered sidewall (12) of a vehicle body panel (10) which is shaped like an inverted dish. When the strut mount is positioned to be fitted to the vehicle body panel (10), the elastic member (4) is brought into contact with the inner surface of the vehicle body panel (10) only at a portion (4a) of the elastic member (4) that covers the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder (2).

Abstract: A support bearing for a vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a rubber bearing that encloses one end of a strut element and introduces the lateral and longitudinal forces of the strut into a vehicle body. A ball bearing allows rotational movements between a spring element and the car body. For this purpose, the ball bearing of the support bearing is supported on the car body with a ball bearing race that features a first ball track. A second ball track of the ball bearing is arranged on a rubber bearing housing together with one end of the spring element.

Abstract: A suspension strut with an elastomer block for a wheel of a vehicle, in particular, for a wheel of a motorcycle is provided. The spring constant of the elastomer block, which interacts with an additional spring element, can be changed by introducing a control sleeve between the elastomer block and the body of the suspension strut. The elastomer block further is effectively disengaged from the additional spring element when the control sleeve is in a lower end position, so that the spring rate is determined only by the additional spring element.

Abstract: A fluid filled type vibration damping device wherein an outer tubular mounting member is externally fitted onto the collar sleeve at an externally fitted section formed by a tapered tube portion of the outer tubular mounting member, by means of a diameter reduction process. A mating projection projecting diametrically inward is formed on an inside peripheral face of the outer tubular mounting member, while a seal rubber layer having a thickness greater than a projecting height of the mating projection is formed covering the inside peripheral face of the outer tubular mounting member with the mating projection covered by the seal rubber layer. A location and projecting height of the mating projection are arranged so as to prevent an entry of another outer tubular mounting member into a large-diameter opening of the tapered tube portion during pre-treatment.

Abstract: A bump stopper for a suspension system that has at least a parting line along a longitudinal direction of the bumper stopper, may include at least two convex portions coaxially connected each other in the longitudinal direction of the bump stopper and contacting each other in a compressed state, a first array including first reinforcing blocks integrally formed on the respective convex portions along the parting line, each abutting first reinforcing block having a first contact angle therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the bumper stopper, and a second array including second reinforcing blocks integrally formed on the respective convex portions, each abutting second reinforcing block having a second contact angle therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the bumper stopper, wherein the first array is disposed with a predetermined angle from the first array along a circumferential direction of the bumper stopper.

Abstract: In a cylinder apparatus in the form of a shock absorber, a spring seat is mounted within a cylinder, and clearance-fitted to a piston rod with a first lateral clearance for moving along the piston rod longitudinally of the cylinder. The spring seat includes a longitudinal extension at one longitudinal end for defining a space between the longitudinal extension and the piston rod. A rebound spring is mounted around the piston rod within the cylinder. The rebound spring has one longitudinal end fixed to another longitudinal end of the spring seat. An elastic member is retained in the defined space by the longitudinal extension of the spring seat, and clearance-fitted to the piston rod with a second lateral clearance for moving along the piston rod longitudinally of the cylinder, wherein the second lateral clearance is smaller than the first lateral clearance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rapid recovery shock absorber system with hydraulic end stop, comprising a stem (3) and a body (1), in which a piston (8, 9, 10, 11) runs which is fixed to a tube (71) and which defines at least one upper chamber (S) and one lower chamber (I) in the body (1). A body (32, 32a) in the stem (3) comprises a housing (321), in which a piston (33, 33a) runs which is connected to a rod (7) which slides in the tube (71). A clamp (31), for fixing the shock absorber system to the vehicle, tensioning means (35, 37, 39), exerting a force which tends to displace the piston (33, 33a), sliding in the stem body (32, 32a), driving the displacement of the rod (7) which results in the opening or closing of a section of an oil passage in the lower chamber (I) towards the upper chamber (S) are also provided.

Abstract: An elastomeric compression including an elastomeric body defining a longitudinal axis and having two hollow convolutions between opposed ends of the spring. The convolutions are integrally formed and joined to each other by a connecting section. Each hollow convolution includes wall structure defining an outer surface for the spring. The wall structure of each convolution includes two angled wall sections disposed to opposed sides of the axis and which angle away from the connecting section and from each other. The outer surface of that portion of each angled wall section of each convolution adjacent to the connecting section has a projection extending outwardly from the outer surface. As such, and when the angled wall sections of one convolution collapse toward the angled wall sections of the other convolution, in response to a load being directed against the spring, the opposed projections on the convolutions contact and engage with each other thereby enhancing performance characteristics of the spring.

Abstract: Embodiments of a dual path hydraulic strut mount are provided, as are embodiments of a vehicular suspension system including a dual path hydraulic strut mount. In one embodiment, the dual path hydraulic strut mount includes an outer elastomeric module and an inner hydraulic module, which is mounted in the outer elastomeric module. The inner hydraulic module is configured to operate in an active damping mode for axial displacements of the dual path hydraulic strut mount less than a threshold value and in a substantially inactive damping mode for axial displacements of the dual path hydraulic strut mount greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: A jounce bumper assembly for a vehicular suspension system, the suspension system having a first member and a second member, is provided. The assembly comprises a mount coupled to the first member, wherein the mount has a cylindrical portion comprising a first cylindrical outer surface. The assembly also comprises a jounce bumper coupled to the second member, and a striker cap having a first end comprising a first cylindrical inner surface circumferentially coupled over the first cylindrical outer surface, and having a second end configured for resilient engagement with the jounce bumper.

Abstract: Annular bearing member for supporting a support element that comprises elastic material and that when installed is under pressure and that is in the area of a suspension strut, whereby the bearing member comprises a material that has a greater hardness than the material of the support element and whereby the bearing member includes a bearing surface upon which the support element with a counter-surface is supported, whereby elevations are arranged encirclingly on the surface of the bearing surface and concentric to one another and form an integral component of the bearing member, whereby every two adjacent elevations limit an encircling receiving space for elastic material of the support element.

Abstract: A vibration damper, comprising a damping medium-filled cylinder, in which a piston rod is guided with freedom of axial movement, where, inside a working space in the cylinder, a stop spring in the form of a circular ring is located, which, after the piston rod has reached a defined stroke position, is compressed between a stop surface on the piston rod side and an end surface forming an axial boundary of the working space, and where the stop spring also forms a boundary of a radially inner space, which is connected to the working space outside the stop spring by means of at least one radial channel. The stop surface on the piston rod side and/or the axially limiting end surface is formed by a rigid body and is provided with at least one radial channel, which extends from the radially inner space to the radially outer working space, “inner” and “outer” being defined with respect to the stop spring.

Abstract: A strut top mount utilizing a mount dome including lightweight polymeric material for the primary structural member as a replacement for the steel material that is traditionally used. The utilization of the polymeric material is possible because the factors associated with strut top mount stresses are successfully managed by a strategic geometric arrangement of the components thereof and the body structure to which it interfaces, as for example by the mount dome being configured to seat in abutting relation to a support shell of the strut tower, wherein the polymeric material is placed under compression. A load bypass is provided in the event of a maximum jounce event.

Abstract: A vehicle spring guide assembly is shown for mounting a coil spring to a suspension component of a vehicle. The assembly can include a vehicle mounting member and a spring guide member. The vehicle mounting member includes a bumper portion and a mounting interface portion. The mounting interface portion can be configured to engage the bumper portion and fixedly mount the bumper portion to a suspension component of a vehicle. The spring guide member can include an annular portion configured to engage with one end of a coil spring and a flexible frustoconical portion configured to extend within the inside diameter of the coil spring. The flexible frustoconical portion can be detachably engaged with the mounting interface portion of the vehicle mounting member, and can be configured to guide and isolate the coil spring during assembly.

Abstract: The bump stop device, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprises a bearing 6 forming an axial stop, a bottom support cover 5 of the bearing and a bottom retainer 7 for a spring comprising at least one stiffening strut. The support cover 5 and/or the retainer 7 comprises at least one axial securing means 15 of the bottom retainer and of the bottom support cover, the said means being situated axially set back from a bottom end of the retainer.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber enables its piston rod to be locked near its minimum length position and allows the locked condition to be visually confirmed easily. A cap member is secured to a distal end portion of a piston rod extending from a cylinder part, and a dust cover is secured to the cap member. A lock member is secured to an end of the cylinder part from which the piston rod extends to the outside. The lock member is cut and bent upward to form engaging portions. The cap member is cut and bent downward to form engaging pieces and windows. With the piston rod contracted to near its minimum length position, the cap member is rotated to engage the engaging portions and the engaging pieces with each other, thereby locking the piston rod. The engaged condition of the engaging portions and the engaging pieces can be visually confirmed through the windows.

Abstract: In an insert bearing part for combining with another insert bearing part structured the same or similar to form an elastomeric insert bearing there is provided a surrounding outer shell featuring a radial portion and an axial portion, an elastomeric body surrounded by the outer shell and a rigid core with an axial throughway for securing the insert bearing, said core protruding axially beyond the axial portion such that when locating the insert bearing part on the other insert bearing part structured the same or similar, the insert bearing parts contact each other substantially at the radial level of the core in forming an axial spacing between opposing axial portions of the insert bearing parts so that the elastomeric body is compressed by the insert bearing parts being brought together.

Abstract: An upper mount assembly for an air-over vehicle suspension system includes an annular elastomeric isolator molded between two tubular bushing sleeves and press-fit into a through bore defined in an end cap. The inner bushing sleeve is adapted to receive the free end of the system's damper rod while an axial projection of the end cap is supported for relative rotation within a complementary through bore of a top plate. An axially-projecting lower surface on the elastomeric isolator defines a low-profile jounce bumper adapted to resiliently engage an upper end of the damper's cylinder body, thereby obviating the need for a separate jounce bumper while further accommodating relatively-low vehicle ride heights.