Bilstein 5100 broke at the weld above collar. Upgrade? Try them again?

[noxor]

I was doing some light wheeling on a telephone pole line that climbs a mountain, about one minute after a fairly steep section with a rock step-up I heard clunking and discovered this:

Do you think bilstein will warranty this since it seems like an usual place for the part to fail?

I have maybe 20k miles on the pair so will be replacing drivers side as well now, my dilemma is: I would like to try the 6112s, but since I already have TRD progressive coil springs for my lift, a new set of 5100s is much cheaper than buying all new coils etc.

But, since I did break this, do you think it could be my driving style and an upgrade would be better for the long run? I do run with the savage skids on so there is definitely some extra weight up front. I don't know how commonly shocks fail so appreciate the input!

 

[jross20]

How on earth?

 

[noxor]

How on earth?

Always a good sign when you post damage porn haha

I have no clue! I have definitely driven some rockier terrain and was taking it slow yesterday, since it was nothing but uphill for miles I was babying it to keep the trans temps down.

Like I said I had cleared the tougher spot and was back sailing on that standard poweline road and then the clunking started.

 

[Thebeastlives]

You should definitely try to get it replaced under warranty. I've got the same setup on 3 vehicles and never had any issues with them. Trying to get them to give you a new 1 for free won't cost you anything.

 

[jross20]

Always a good sign when you post damage porn haha

I have no clue! I have definitely driven some rockier terrain and was taking it slow yesterday, since it was nothing but uphill for miles I was babying it to keep the trans temps down.

Like I said I had cleared the tougher spot and was back sailing on that standard poweline road and then the clunking started.

Wait, which 5100 is it? 4runner, Tacoma, or tundra?

 

[3bears]

Wait, which 5100 is it? 4runner, Tacoma, or tundra?

that ^^^^ and when you say TRD springs, do you mean tundra springs ? What perch do you have your billies set at?
What extra weight....bumper...winch ?

 

[noxor]

that ^^^^ and when you say TRD springs, do you mean tundra springs ? What perch do you have your billies set at?
What extra weight....bumper...winch ?

I have the Sonoran steel 1.2 lift.
(2)-Toyota TRD Progressive Front Coil (48131-AF090 & 48131-AF100)
(2)-Bilstein 5100 Series HD Shocks (24-261425)

So tundra springs. Perch is the top one for the most lift, and the extra weight I have is the savage skid plates, just the stock bumper for now.

 

[Dieselchessy]

Looking at your pic it looks like your on the bottom perch. I’m pretty sure I can see the top perch.

Maybe just bad luck.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

24-261425 is the "updated" version of the 5100 shock for the 1999-2006 Tundra.


Perhaps you can have them warrantied by SS. Was the shock-coil combo assembled by SS?

I have the Sonoran steel 1.2 lift.
(2)-Toyota TRD Progressive Front Coil (48131-AF090 & 48131-AF100)
(2)-Bilstein 5100 Series HD Shocks (24-261425)

So tundra springs. Perch is the top one for the most lift, and the extra weight I have is the savage skid plates, just the stock bumper for now.

 

[noxor]

Looking at your pic it looks like your on the bottom perch. IÂ’m pretty sure I can see the top perch.

Maybe just bad luck.

I'll have to go and take a look when I get back home. I know it was installed based on this picture:

and I thought it was on the 2.5 setting shown in the middle, so you would still see some of the perches.

I've done all the work to this rig except that install, so I'll have to look at it and get back to you if you're curious just for the info etc.

 

[Dieselchessy]

I was just curious when you said it was on the top perch.

 

[3bears]

I have the Sonoran steel 1.2 lift.
(2)-Toyota TRD Progressive Front Coil (48131-AF090 & 48131-AF100)
(2)-Bilstein 5100 Series HD Shocks (24-261425)

So tundra springs. Perch is the top one for the most lift, and the extra weight I have is the savage skid plates, just the stock bumper for now.

curious...did you use his enitere 1.2 kit, so with the lc coils in rear and if so did you run billies in the back or the tokico

thanks

hopefully he can help you out with the shock, if not maybe he can direct you to who can warranty.....seems like with only 20k on them they would still be under warranty but you might have to eat the labor

 

[noxor]

curious...did you use his enitere 1.2 kit, so with the lc coils in rear and if so did you run billies in the back or the tokico

thanks

hopefully he can help you out with the shock, if not maybe he can direct you to who can warranty.....seems like with only 20k on them they would still be under warranty but you might have to eat the labor

Yes Im running the whole kit, land cruiser coils with the tokicos. Have it set so the rear is higher than the front unloaded but that's fine since I'm typically camping with several gallons of water and a friend or two so it's usually weighed down a bit. This particular weekend I had one person and a few sleeping bags for a short night out so it was definitely a light day trip kind of approach, I've run a loop out to saline valley via the racetrack in death valley a few times on much worse roads with a lot more weight so I'm suprised she went when she did, but happy it was only a mile or so to pavement after.

And I'll reach out to Steve about the shock and see where it goes. Sounds like you guys think the warranty it worth a try and an upgrade isn't necessary, or at least want to see what Bilstein says hahaha

 

[3bears]

Yes Im running the whole kit, land cruiser coils with the tokicos. Have it set so the rear is higher than the front unloaded but that's fine since I'm typically camping with several gallons of water and a friend or two so it's usually weighed down a bit. This particular weekend I had one person and a few sleeping bags for a short night out so it was definitely a light day trip kind of approach, I've run a loop out to saline valley via the racetrack in death valley a few times on much worse roads with a lot more weight so I'm suprised she went when she did, but happy it was only a mile or so to pavement after.

And I'll reach out to Steve about the shock and see where it goes. Sounds like you guys think the warranty it worth a try and an upgrade isn't necessary, or at least want to see what Bilstein says hahaha

part of the reason I ask is because I have been emailing wth steve about the same kit and getting it in mid august or sometime. He would also hopefully know if this is just a odd chance...if not and is known to happen let us know as Id rather not go through this myself too

 

[noxor]

24-261425 is the "updated" version of the 5100 shock for the 1999-2006 Tundra.


Perhaps you can have them warrantied by SS. Was the shock-coil combo assembled by SS?

Reason why I was unsure/wrong of the perch was because my dad assembled it with a friend of his who owed him a favor, I was lucky and he did it before I was able to get out to NY to pick it up (I live in Vegas where 4wd 3rd gens for sale aren't common from what I found) so I haven't ever actually looked for sure.

I had 0 knowledge of off roading and truck maintenance etc before getting this truck and have improved a lot thanks to this forum and youtube, not sure I would be able to make it without the online resources

 

[noxor]

part of the reason I ask is because I have been emailing wth steve about the same kit and getting it in mid august or sometime. He would also hopefully know if this is just a odd chance...if not and is known to happen let us know as Id rather not go through this myself too

I consider myself a novice but I will tell you even though I have only put 20k or so on the kit since I got the 1.2, those have all been miles to get to dirt roads and then on dirt. I have been very happy knowing I can go somewhere new won't be stopped by a random dirt road its the opposite I see a new one and I go check it out.

Never had one issue with the lift/truck/ride etc since putting it on and I would definitely recommend it.

I'll reach out to him and let everyone know what his take on the situation is.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

the previous version of the Tundra 5100 had similar issues. there were a few cases discussed in this forum. there was mention that Bilstein fixed the issue before the current version (24-261425) came out.

part of the reason I ask is because I have been emailing wth steve about the same kit and getting it in mid august or sometime. He would also hopefully know if this is just a odd chance...if not and is known to happen let us know as Id rather not go through this myself too

 

[jross20]

I'm more shocked (no pun intended) that you broke the tundra 5100. That's got to be a defect.

Hopefully just a fluke

 

[phattyduck]

I'm more shocked (no pun intended) that you broke the tundra 5100. That's got to be a defect.

Hopefully just a fluke

Plenty of pictures of Bilstein shocks failing in that exact way, not just on 4Runners either. Not sure how actually often it happens since they are so popular... Bilstein won't warranty them since they are used in the wrong application... (though, from the picture, you wouldn't be able to tell whether it is a 1st gen Tundra or a 3rd gen 4Runner - hint, hint)

-Charlie

 

[3bears]

I was doing some light wheeling on a telephone pole line that climbs a mountain, about one minute after a fairly steep section with a rock step-up I heard clunking and discovered this:

Do you think bilstein will warranty this since it seems like an usual place for the part to fail?

I have maybe 20k miles on the pair so will be replacing drivers side as well now, my dilemma is: I would like to try the 6112s, but since I already have TRD progressive coil springs for my lift, a new set of 5100s is much cheaper than buying all new coils etc.

But, since I did break this, do you think it could be my driving style and an upgrade would be better for the long run? I do run with the savage skids on so there is definitely some extra weight up front. I don't know how commonly shocks fail so appreciate the input!

so did they warranty this ?