Bilstein Gas Shocks (failures)

[RR P38]

Shockers thats all I can say.
Well I must say that Im very disappointed with Bilstein shocks on my P38.
I now have 3 of them in my shed. One of them has had the bottom mount snapped clean off ( I believe this to have been a fault in the manufacturing process) The other failure is due to the elongation of the top mount and the bush failing.
Both failures occurred on the front, i never bothered to change the rears to Bilstein due to the first front failure.
These faults occurred within 40,000k.
My RR is stock standard all round, sure it goes off road, I wouldnt call my self a rough driver.
The RR most certainly handles better with these shocks in the front end although the ride is noticeably harsher than the OEM shocks.
Bilstein warranty is worthless........as you have been "off road"

Has anyone else had these sort of issues with this German rubbish?

[ozscott]

Mate, dont know which ones you have. Dont know much about Bilstein (but will get them fitted int he next few weeks - Australian purchased and fitted) but I just had a look at their Au website and noticed that they do specific models for offroad "use" - see BILSTEIN B6 Offroad | BILSTEIN (http://bilstein.com.au/products/bilstein-b6/bilstein-b6-offroad/) which says in part:

"For off-road, 4 Wheel Drive performance.
For off-road vehicles, we offer a version of the BILSTEIN B6 that is adapted to Australian 4 Wheel Drive requirements. The precise Bilstein damper settings reduce uncontrolled movements caused by the high 4 Wheel drive structure, they also improve the suspension’s load carrying capacity, as well as guaranteeing more vehicle control and, therefore, safer handling and better traction.

The product benefits at a glance:

Greater performance reserves and service life, even when towing or in off-road applications..."

So clearly if you purchased a model that was a designated Billie off road shock then surely they will warrant them for off road use...??

Are their length issues at play - ie incorrect length causing extra stress?

Cheers

PS. THE US site says that bent or broken rods are not covered - http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/search-service/warranty/ - but does not say anything about eyelets etc

[benji]

If you bought the shocks from an Australian retailer they sold with an iso9001 certification. It doesn't matter what the retailer or Bilstein say, it's fedral law.
Iso9001 states that the product is fit for the purpose it is sold for, and should be fit for use for a relational amount of time given the cost. If you buy a $20 watch and get 6 months out of it you've got your money's worth. But if a $400 watch dies after 6 months you've got cause for repair etc.

The shocks you bought were obviously designed for the rangie which is an off road vehicle.

[RR P38]

Yes using the off rd version.

I think the rebound rate is the problem with them, they obviously overload the shock components.
OEM are 1/3 of the price, undoubtedly on road Bilstein`s make the 38 handle better but reliable they are not, if I was planing a long trip away or genuine 4WD work I would stick with OEM.

[PhilipA]

I think on Billies"off road" means stiffer.

I cannot imagine that they have discrete tubes and mounts .

Regards Philip A

[redandy3575]

Haven't had much experience with the steins. But I can imagine that they're not really suitable for oz conditions being European and all.

I was looking at them at one stage, but chose the Terrafirmas as they're more suited and designed more specific for the Land Rover products, and they survived Cape York ( with the exception of the shocker bolts ).

[Tombie]

Haven't had much experience with the steins. But I can imagine that they're not really suitable for oz conditions being European and all.

I was looking at them at one stage, but chose the Terrafirmas as they're more suited and designed more specific for the Land Rover products, and they survived Cape York ( with the exception of the shocker bolts ).

Wtf :) :lol:

Not suitable being European and all....

You mean like: The British 4wd

And then you mention Terrafirma... Made where precisely ;)

I've heard of more TF failures than I have Billie failures.

Cracks me up... If you want a decent budget shock - just buy a Monroe....

[redrovertdi]

I have run bilsteins on my 110 for the last 5 years and nearly 200,000ks, eye broke off one rear shock last year and i welded it back on, about 2 months ago that same shock dropped all its oil and was stuffed, my only complaint is the plastic flexible gaiter on the rears as they fill with mud which then destroyed the seal and so on, the fronts are fine and when the finances improve i will replace with bilsteins again, My car does some very hard off road and is my work vehicle through the week.

[benji]

I had bilstein on my classic. As said they've way to much rebound, especially for Australian chopped up roads where a bit of compliance is needed.

Both the rears started leaking badly after two years. I put koni heavy track on, and 5years later they're still like brand new (except for the rears being polished from gravel spray).; and valved to perfection too.

[RR P38]

If you bought the shocks from an Australian retailer they sold with an iso9001 certification. It doesn't matter what the retailer or Bilstein say, it's fedral law.
Iso9001 states that the product is fit for the purpose it is sold for, and should be fit for use for a relational amount of time given the cost. If you buy a $20 watch and get 6 months out of it you've got your money's worth. But if a $400 watch dies after 6 months you've got cause for repair etc.

The socks you bought were obviously designed for the rangie which is an off road vehicle.

All true my friend.

I have called Bilstein Australia twice about these issues, as each failure occurred, both times I hit the same wall and was asked if the "Car has been off road warranty is void"
I even made a written complain........No reply.
As with all complaints of this nature its best for the company to say/do nothing, most people will just go away.
Fair trading is the best option for sure.
Through the forum I was just looking to see if there were any similar events with other Bilstein users.

[benji]

Sorry, must correct myself. Bilstein don't make socks:eek:

[TheTree]

Sorry, must correct myself. Bilstein don't make socks:eek:

Even euro spec ones ?:Rolling:

[Slunnie]

I had bilstein on my classic. As said they've way to much rebound, especially for Australian chopped up roads where a bit of compliance is needed.

I'm guessing you mean the bump valving rather than rebound. You won't feel changes in rebound valving anywhere near as much as bump valving, which is where the harshness comes from.

[Hoges]

Yep, minimum bump but plenty of rebound damping with air springs... another reason why highly gassed shocks not ideal with EAS...

[Homestar]

Sorry, must correct myself. Bilstein don't make socks:eek:

:D. I have corrected the spelling now, so no one will notice - until they read your last post...:D

[benji]

I'll have you know there's lots of bilstein socks around
https://www.google.com.au/search?client=ms-android-telstra-au&hl=en&source=android-browser-type&v=210020112&q=bilstein+socks&nfpr=1&sa=X&ei=sS84Upi0LcHk4APQyoGADQ&ved=0CDQQvgUoAQ

So there:p

Rebound valving was definately the biggest problem on the classic bilsteins. Bump valving was very linear, which made it okay at high speeds or loaded.

Babicat, just got word about the l322 bullbar, but they're only in bright pink- sorry mate :angel:

[redandy3575]

All true my friend.

I have called Bilstein Australia twice about these issues, as each failure occurred, both times I hit the same wall and was asked if the "Car has been off road warranty is void"
I even made a written complain........No reply.
As with all complaints of this nature its best for the company to say/do nothing, most people will just go away.
Fair trading is the best option for sure.
Through the forum I was just looking to see if there were any similar events with other Bilstein users.

Bit ordinary that they'd refuse warranty when the car is used for off road, says a lot doesn't it.

[TheTree]

Bit ordinary that they'd refuse warranty when the car is used for off road, says a lot doesn't it.

HI

Certainly makes me wary of going that route !

Steve

[RR P38]

Well,
I have done a fair bit of research through various forums and found that there is a significant problem with Bilstein shocks.
When you consider that most people with a four wheel drive dont even head off road the number of failures seem quiet high.

Design fault?
I might test this with consumer affairs.

[benji]

That's the way Id be going, they certainly are not cheap.

Their strong valving wouldn't help the situation.

It should also be impossible to overload a shock, as the force of any velocity on the fixings of the shock is regulated by the valving. Infact on road driving should be harder on shockers as the velocities are a lot faster, corrugated roads for example.

[redandy3575]

Well,
I have done a fair bit of research through various forums and found that there is a significant problem with Bilstein shocks.
When you consider that most people with a four wheel drive dont even head off road the number of failures seem quiet high.

Design fault?
I might test this with consumer affairs.

That's what I reckon. They might be ok for highway cruising and a bit ol light to medium duty off road, but nothing too serious.

[joel0407]

Hey "RR P38",

I have just been into Heasemans (spelling) to get my 7100s topped up with oil and regassed after I added a longer hose to the external reservoir. I have to say its the best workshop I have seen. I commented on what a good workshop it was and he told me the do a lot of the R & D for Bilstein.


As Heasemans are also know as Bilstein Australia and are the local importers. It might be worth contacting them with the view to help them improve their product and provide some feed back rather than seeking replacement. You never know they might give you some shocks to try as their Guinea pig.


I was pretty impressed with how helpful these guys were with my 7100s


Happy days.