Thread: Bilstein Rear Shock Absorber Stone Guards

They look the same as the ones fro Bilstein. I run these and they're pretty good. The only thing is that I run 2 per side to get better protection.

Guards are a must have to protect the mono tube from stone damage off road.

No guards on the front I assume because the spring surrounds it?

I made some with perforated steel from Bunnings at a total cost of say $10.
There is a brand of perforated steel with diamond shaped holes that comes in angles corners etc and flat bits.
Looking at my shocks which have done about 30KK on dirt, 99% of the stone strikes are in the lowest 60CM.
So I bent 2 lots of straight bits and stood them off the shocks so that the airflow would not be disrupted.
If I get motivated I will get a photo, but I do not really agree with the commercial guards as I reckon they will inhibit cooling.
BTW , I was in two minds about even fitting the guards as I think the danger is highly overrated.
Could anyone advise if they have had Bilstiens actually fail because of dents or is it an urban myth?

Regards Philip A

never run Billies, but i once dented an OME shock about 7mm inward & it continued to work fine (lifted series 3 shortie).

The bilstein bodies are really thick for a shock, you'd be pretty unlucky to dent it. Other shocks have twin or more shells which are made from lighter material which is why the dent so easily and then keep working.

what about nolathane #49112?

Nolathane 49112 Shock Absorber - Stone Guard

PhillipA -

I'd appreciate a photo as I have just bought a set of Bilsteins and plan to fit them shortly. I'm heading for a few thousand kms of off road and want stone guards. I'd thought about making my own.