Bilstein 5100 long time reviews?

[theoutbackdream]

Hello all,
I've been eyeing the bilstein 5100's with FJC Moog's, but after looking into it more and more, I've noticed that the bilstein 5100's are having problems with the snap ring breaking, rendering the truck useless. Is it a common enough occurrence to worry about?

My plans with the truck are to take it on dirt trails that may require articulation. I won't do any crazy rock crawling though. Would I be okay?

Does anyone have a long time review on these? Would you recommend them or not?


Thanks

 

[bassmacka]

I've only heard of this happening after switching the levels a few times. I've never had the issue.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

 

[theoutbackdream]

I've only heard of this happening after switching the levels a few times. I've never had the issue.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

I read a thread where I guy just installed his and adjusted the height by 1 notch and it failed. The amount he's switched his leveling is unknown, but at the end of the day, the snap ring failed rendering the truck useless.

Makes me worried since I plan on going to remote places with my t4r...

Are you saying it could just be user install error?

 

[Inv4drZm]

I read a thread where I guy just installed his and adjusted the height by 1 notch and it failed. The amount he's switched his leveling is unknown, but at the end of the day, the snap ring failed rendering the truck useless.

Makes me worried since I plan on going to remote places with my t4r...

Are you saying it could just be user install error?

More people on this forum have bilstein 5100's than stock shocks. You shouldnt be worried based off of one occurance.

 

[theoutbackdream]

More people on this forum have bilstein 5100's than stock shocks. You shouldnt be worried based off of one occurance.

That's the thought process I had originally when I was just about to pull the plug to buy the bilsteins, since I saw the bilstein's left and right on here. However, there were failures as well. Not just one, but multiple, which made me worry even more.

 

[haro]

That's the thought process I had originally when I was just about to pull the plug to buy the bilsteins, since I saw the bilstein's left and right on here. However, there were failures as well. Not just one, but multiple, which made me worry even more.

I have bilstein 5100s for 2 years now and fj moog since november 2016.
and no issue here.

 

[JD914]

There's a thread covering Bilstein failures and it seems like more people came out in support of them than bashing them.
I've had mine for 50-70,000 miles with no problems - high speed washboard, rock crawling, trailers, all kinds of weight in the back; never had a problem.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bassmacka]

That's the thought process I had originally when I was just about to pull the plug to buy the bilsteins, since I saw the bilstein's left and right on here. However, there were failures as well. Not just one, but multiple, which made me worry even more.

You can always carry spring compressors, extra rings and a few tools with you. In the unlikely event that the ring does fail out in the middle of nowhere, you can swap the ring fairly easily. Another option would be to weld the ring in place.

 

[JeffMerr]

Had the same setup on my old rig and never had an issue.

 

[derekjmiller913]

I bought used 5100's and FJ Springs. They certainly were an upgrade from stock. I romp hard on these and have ramped trained tracks near my house more than I should admit.. no issues here, either.

Look, we can go through each person leaving a testimony for quality, but it all has to do with how many people use these shocks. For example, if more people can afford 5100's VS ICON/FOX/ *insert higher priced competition names here*, then more people will run 5100's. More people running them translates to more people reporting issues when compared to how many people actually buy the higher priced equipment. If we had 2,000 people with 5100's and 5 issues reported, that's better than 150 people with Icons with 2 issues reported when looking at the percentages of reported issues among the total number of consumers. Scales of economy. I hope this helps makes sense why there are "Less issues" with the higher priced equipment...... there aren't as many people running them to report any issues in that pool. And why there are "More issues" with 5100's, more people use and abuse them = more people reporting it.
arty:

 

[Elan750]

Many of those failures were shortly after installation which may say something about the...installation process eep: obviously not every one, but we're all human.

I've moved the ring spot 3 times with no worries. just be sure not to stretch it, take your time, and make sure everything is surgically clean.

The design is effective because the spring seat is tapered so the force on the ring is inward, not downward. but before you let the force onto it, things can move, crap can get in there, etc. that will affect its job. Keep an eye on it, and that the spring is in the seat properly- if not all the springs weight wont be even.

My only long term concern is corrosion, but i'm sure my frame will rot through or ill be onto a different suspension setup before that happens.

 

[jrm]

I heard of that happening

but most if not all instances are due installing a spring with a high spring rate like a OME 885 on the upper notches which puts added strain on the ring. :evil:

 

[mikesam82]

**SHOP EMERGENCY**

Bilstein 5100's all-around are being installed at my preferred shop right now, and my mechanic just called me to say the front shocks are missing 4 bushings, 2 washers, and 2 sleeves.

Should this hardware have come with the shocks? Are they sold separately? This is my DD and I'm dead in the water without these things, any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mikesam82]

**SHOP EMERGENCY**

Bilstein 5100's all-around are being installed at my preferred shop right now, and my mechanic just called me to say the front shocks are missing 4 bushings, 2 washers, and 2 sleeves.

Should this hardware have come with the shocks? Are they sold separately? This is my DD and I'm dead in the water without these things, any info would be greatly appreciated.

**UPDATE**

Shop is able to reuse washers and sleeves off of existing/OEM, however Bilstein 5100 apparently does not ship upper bushings with the shock absorber assembly, which apparently is a required item. I'm buying 4 upper bushings from Toyota, which should work.

Frustrating as I'm out of my vehicle until these things get shipped. I wish I'd been aware of this hardware being needed when I bought the 5100s, so heads-up to those of you still waiting to make the move.

 

[Atlanta_man]

6 years / 50K miles

all OK still

never been offroad though

 

[simple]

**UPDATE**

Shop is able to reuse washers and sleeves off of existing/OEM, however Bilstein 5100 apparently does not ship upper bushings with the shock absorber assembly, which apparently is a required item. I'm buying 4 upper bushings from Toyota, which should work.

Frustrating as I'm out of my vehicle until these things get shipped. I wish I'd been aware of this hardware being needed when I bought the 5100s, so heads-up to those of you still waiting to make the move.

Good to know. I just checked my boxes in my garage, rear come with them, but not fronts. Why couldn't they reuse the bushings? That will be my plan when I replace mine.

 

[Mbiker_101]

Fj springs and 5100s for 60k miles, many offroad. No issues. Current ride went with 6112s front 5100s rear.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Hello all,
I've been eyeing the bilstein 5100's with FJC Moog's, but after looking into it more and more, I've noticed that the bilstein 5100's are having problems with the snap ring breaking, rendering the truck useless. Is it a common enough occurrence to worry about?

My plans with the truck are to take it on dirt trails that may require articulation. I won't do any crazy rock crawling though. Would I be okay?

Does anyone have a long time review on these? Would you recommend them or not?


Thanks

I ran the 5100s for close to 100k with FJ springs which was a very noticeable and appreciated upgrade from stock. Never had any issues with the c-clips. The key to that is to only spread the c-clip just enough to move it when adjusting height and make sure it's fully seated. I don't abuse my 4runners but I do take them offroad and put them through their paces. I was impressed by the 5100s so I'm now running 6112's with 700 lb King springs on my 4th gen. Hopefully they'll hold up just as well.

You can always carry spring compressors, extra rings and a few tools with you. In the unlikely event that the ring does fail out in the middle of nowhere, you can swap the ring fairly easily. Another option would be to weld the ring in place.

I wouldn't recommend welding on a pressurized shock.

**SHOP EMERGENCY**

Bilstein 5100's all-around are being installed at my preferred shop right now, and my mechanic just called me to say the front shocks are missing 4 bushings, 2 washers, and 2 sleeves.

Should this hardware have come with the shocks? Are they sold separately? This is my DD and I'm dead in the water without these things, any info would be greatly appreciated.

Sounds like you got it figured out but why didn't you open the boxes and check what comes with them first?

 

[theoutbackdream]

You can always carry spring compressors, extra rings and a few tools with you. In the unlikely event that the ring does fail out in the middle of nowhere, you can swap the ring fairly easily. Another option would be to weld the ring in place.

This is true, albeit a headache though.

 

[theoutbackdream]

I bought used 5100's and FJ Springs. They certainly were an upgrade from stock. I romp hard on these and have ramped trained tracks near my house more than I should admit.. no issues here, either.

Look, we can go through each person leaving a testimony for quality, but it all has to do with how many people use these shocks. For example, if more people can afford 5100's VS ICON/FOX/ *insert higher priced competition names here*, then more people will run 5100's. More people running them translates to more people reporting issues when compared to how many people actually buy the higher priced equipment. If we had 2,000 people with 5100's and 5 issues reported, that's better than 150 people with Icons with 2 issues reported when looking at the percentages of reported issues among the total number of consumers. Scales of economy. I hope this helps makes sense why there are "Less issues" with the higher priced equipment...... there aren't as many people running them to report any issues in that pool. And why there are "More issues" with 5100's, more people use and abuse them = more people reporting it.
arty:

Crazy.

I know exactly what you're talking about. That was my initial thought processes with the billy's but after reading more and more accounts, and reading how some even switched over to Icon's or OME after billy's made me worry if I was just buying something that would eventually fail in a short amount of time.