Thread: Bilstein Gas Shocks (failures)

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 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/s...vice/warranty/ - but does not say anything about eyelets etc

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.

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.

I think on Billies"off road" means stiffer.

I cannot imagine that they have discrete tubes and mounts .

Regards Philip A

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 ).

Originally Posted by 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 ).

Wtf

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....

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.

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.