For those that have the 5100 Bilsteins, do you get any clunking or other noises? I'm considering a set for my wife's 2020 ORP. The reason I ask is because I had Bilstein yellows on my 2012 WRX and they were loud and clunky across lightly rutted and washboard pavement. Big bumps were fine. I then got Bilstein yellows for my M235. The rears have been fine, but the fronts started clunking within 50 miles; same issue across lightly rutted and washboard pavement. I pulled them off and reinstalled 2 times to make sure I got everything correct. Turns out it's a common issue with Bilstein yellows. I was able to return them to the vendor for a full refund. I've found that Bilsteins are epically good when driven hard, but to have them be so loud and clucky during normal driving has been disappointing. I know the Bilsteins on the 4runner aren't yellows, but I want to make sure the same issue isn't common on these trucks as well. Thanks.

I've had the 5100s on for about a month and love them. No noises whatsoever.

I believe the yellow 4600's are valved softer than 5100's and pretty much the bottom level bilsteins. I have 5100s and they have been great for what they are and best bang for the buck.

Only for people who install the coil over mount upside down

Installed 5100s on all four corners a couple thousand miles ago and haven't noticed any noise from them.

I had 5100s on all 4 corners for 3 years and they starting making clunking noises after about 9 months. I will never buy Bilsteins shocks again.


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I just put in a set, I have some clunking, but I'm pretty sure its sway bar endlinks. Or the sway bar bushings. I'll get it up in the air this weekend to sort out.

Damn. I'm going to pass on these. The responses are very similar to those on the BMW forums with about 25-30% reporting clunking after a period time. I too thought the end links were the clucking culprit on my WRX and BMW. I disconnected them and drove around; still clunked. Other BMW owners did the same and had the same result.

There appears to be an inherent issue with the valving of the shock piston in certain gas charged Bilsteins. My guess is the shocks are so firm that it causes them to be too slow to respond over small bumps thus they tax the upper mounts and other surrounding bushings, thus creating noise over time.

I've had them on for the past 3k - no clunking. They are definitely stiffer than the stock shocks though (50k on original suspension when removed).

I had them on my 2020 with over 15k miles. They were perfect, on road.. off road. Just put on a new set on my new 2022. These are perfect so far.

Just put on 4 5100s last week. Stiffer than stock at this point in their life cycle, but no noise at all!

Just had a set installed on mine with the front set at 1.75. The rear I added the 1in bilstein springs. No clunking what so ever. I was nervous that I was going to make the ride worse. But I’m fact it rides more sporty, I liked how they turned out.

have same on my 2018 ,, no clunking at all , just a better ride.

This will be a resurrection of an old thread here. About 45k miles ago I installed a full set of 5100’s on my ‘13 Trail. The front is set at 1.75” (3rd notch) with the factory springs and I have Cornfed 1” spacers in the rear. Over the last few months I have noticed a decent clunk coming from the front and rear. It was very apparent when a buddy and I were on some rutted up dirt roads just north of town as it sounded like something was very loose in the suspension. At this point I have been all over this thing and cannot find any loose fasteners. The front lower control arms are new (had the noise prior to this) and the upper ball joints have been replaced. All the bushings for the KDSS front bar have been replaced as well. There is no noticeable movement in the tie rods or ball joints when the front tires are off the ground. All the shock bushings look to be in good condition as well. Is it possible this is an internal issue with the shocks? What say you?

Well this thread doesn't sound too encouraging.
I just had a set of 4 5100's delivered yesterday.

From reading here, it just happens on washboard roads?
Has anyone ever contacted Bilstein?
I suppose that would be appropriate.