Bumper for synchronizing ring of gas turbine engine

A gas turbine engine comprising:

• a compressor section including a compressor case with at least one pad;
• at least one stage of variable stator vanes associated with the compressor section;
• and
• a synchronizing assembly that actuates the variable stator vanes, the synchronizing assembly including a synchronizing ring and a bumper assembly, the bumper assembly comprising a cradle and a bumper held within the cradle between the at least one pad and the synchronizing ring, and wherein the cradle is secured to the synchronizing ring by at least one fastener without the fastener extending through the bumper.

A method of manufacturing a bumper assembly for a gas turbine engine comprising the steps of:

• providing a generally flat sheet metal piece;
• punching a center opening in the sheet metal piece;
• bending a pair of side walls upwardly around the center opening to form a first pair of generally flat side edges along the center opening;
• bending a pair of end walls upwardly around the center opening to form a second pair of generally flat side edges along the center opening, the second pair of generally flat side edges interconnecting the first pair of generally flat side edges, and further bending the end walls to form a pair of attachment tabs;
• and
• inserting a bumper into the center opening.