Yeah, some not very informed opinions here.

Just because a factory shock has not leaked after a lot of miles, or any other twin tube, it does not mean that it actually works properly. These shocks stop working well WITHOUT leaking. Not hard to figure out why factory shocks are usually of this design. It sure ain't for performance.

Monotubes are by contrast, "honest" shocks: they let you know immediately when they are done (due to the high pressure as mentioned above).

As for the Bilstein 6112, it is properly defined by Bilstein as an "adventure" shock. Paired with the standard springs (which are NOT 600 as vendors advertise them but less), they are NOT suitable to higher desert speeds. Ask me how I know. When you pair them with the stiffer springs, they work fine but it is a bit of a cheater performance setup because it is the springs that do the hard work. But it works.

Unlike the 5100, the 6112 can actually survive the punishment and with the stiffer springs, it is killer value.

Now, do you need 6112 on pavement? With the softer, standard springs, it is ideal for pavement and dirt roads. But you cannot expect it to last forever.

And the same is true of any other monotube, including the premium Dobinsons offering. It will leak eventually. I am pretty sure I can make the basic 5100s leak in a day or two, just in the desert around Phoenix. A 2.0 shock is ok for pavement, dirt, and rock crawling. But in the desert...been there, done that, too.

My 6112 are pushing 40,000 miles so I am not sure I will wait to 50k before I replace them, considering what mine have experienced. Nothing beats them at value, that's for sure.

The Dobinson setup is probably the other great value setup so no reason not to try that one either. But reservoirs would be crazy on a rig confined to a sad life on pavement

Thanks for the info on the Bilsteins…mirrors what the vendor has told me.

As for other rebuildable aftermarket shocks, trying to find a local shop to rebuild can be a pain, and still have to pay for the rebuild but cheaper than new.

Either way, still no free lunch as noted. Looks like I’ll just buy another set of fronts and send these out for warranty. I may wind up having a fresh set of fronts if/when we have to do this again in another 60k.

If you are doing anything more than the Alpine Loop and similar in CO, you may want to consider the 6112 on the stiffer springs. Yes, the ride on road will be stiffer, sportier, but the nose will actually stay above the rocks and not dive on them at the worst moment. Ditto for Moab.

Yea, I get that. But, keep in mind suspension is still a wear item that eventually goes out. Having a shock blow in the first year or two may justify a warranty claim, but 60k out of a set of performance shocks is a pretty normal service life, IMO. Bilstein may help you out with a rebuild as the other guy said, but I wouldn't expect anything more. If it were me, I'd just be ordering new shocks, probably Fox, and moving on.

After 5+ weeks, I heard nothing from Wheelers or Bilstein, so I contacted Wheeler again to check on the status of the warranty claim.

Bilstein has decided the seals are leaking through normal "wear and tear" for this mileage (actually 80k) and decided to deny any warranty claim...even they are supposed to be covered by a "Lifetime" warranty.

I fully understand shocks/struts wear out over time and need to be replaced or rebuilt, and a manufacture needs to protect themselves from individual claims for those times equipment has been abused. I'm not saying my installed struts should have lasted forever.

My issue is with Bilstein offering a "Lifetime" warranty by denying a claim for mileage when there is no stated mileage limit and the struts don't illustrate signs of abuse. They should simply state up front they only warranty them for x miles or a time limit.

Bilstein's claim of a "Lifetime" warranty is essentially worthless unless the shock/strut was broken/snapped where they would probably claim abuse and deny as well.

Off to purchase another set of struts...obviously not Bilstein.

My twin brother and I had many '70s BMW 2002s including a nice 1973 BMW 2002tii that I had for 30+ years. So we put Billsteins with lifetime warranties on them and actually bought a whole extra set of shocks so we could put new ones on while we sent the old ones back for warranty replacement. At first they would just send you a new set of front or rears but eventually they started testing them and would send the old ones back if they determined they were still serviceable

Dang.....

This is why we can't have nice things

that sucks ...Curious about the fine print on the warranty. I've been happy with the TRD FJ kit 6112 & 5160 but replaced the leaking 5160s with 5100s . Once the 6112s start to leak or the spring breaks Ill probably go with a dobinsons set up. I have about 65-70k on the 6112s

I bought 6112’s about 6 years ago. When I was doing research on them before I purchased, I called Bilstein to ask a few questions. One of the questions was warranty, and they said these come with a 90 day or so warranty. Not the lifetime warranty as these are considered performance shocks.

I found the 6112’s to be too stiff and jarring. But they are a digressive shock. Progressive style shock is what I have now and rebuildable. Much happier!