Bilstein problems

I've gotta chime in here. (Which means I'll probably blow a shock in a week). I wheel my truck plenty and haven't had a problem with my 5100's over 60 or 70,000 miles. High speed trails, rock crawling, loaded up for camping or expo, I've been very pleased with them for their price. Would I like to have a nice set of Icons or Kings? Sure, but I have no complaints about the Bilsteins for now.
I feel for those that have had problems with them, but I just want those considering them that not all Bilstein experiences are bad.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
My billies have been good and been wheelin the heck out of her at cleghorn, calico, burns and jacoby canyon. I've had 5 people, camping gears in the back and roof rack with no issue. Now having said that I'll probably jinx myself but will give me reason to upgrade.:D
 
JD914 said:
I've gotta chime in here. (Which means I'll probably blow a shock in a week). I wheel my truck plenty and haven't had a problem with my 5100's over 60 or 70,000 miles. High speed trails, rock crawling, loaded up for camping or expo, I've been very pleased with them for their price. Would I like to have a nice set of Icons or Kings? Sure, but I have no complaints about the Bilsteins for now.
I feel for those that have had problems with them, but I just want those considering them that not all Bilstein experiences are bad.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

How old (months) are yours? Obviously not everyone has issues but I kind of wonder if there was some change that happened in the past in mfg. that may have weakened them.
 
Oneluv13T4R said:
[MENTION=101553]t-man[/MENTION]
Funny you bring this up right now, being that I just snapped my rear bilsteins out on the trails Saturday during our monthly T4R SoCal Meet & Run up in Big Bear.
Within the first hour I heard what sounded like a bullet ricochet, I said "something broke" over the comms, and asked my buddy Al behind me if he seen anything fall off or if he can see anything wrong with my rig from behind since nothing felt wrong. Lol

He said yeah I heard it too and it looks like your dragging your shock boot? So we stop to check it out well I was dragging more than a blown out torn boot but also a snapped shock at the top stem completely off and pulled the bottom of the shock rod right out of it threads with so much force it stripped the threads right off. Picked it up laughed about it and then ratchet strapped the bottom of the spring to the axle so it wouldnt fall out on me. So I continued the trail run from 10am til 7pm like this with no issues it worked great and felt better than that dam limiting bilstein.
But yeah I'm with you 100% that Bilsteins suuuuuk asssssss!!!! If you actually wheel your rig.
Click to expand...

Doh! If you need a spare until you can replace them, you have my number. Held onto my rears after I bought my Icons so I'd have something to use for rebuilds.
 
Drunner97 said:
Doh! If you need a spare until you can replace them, you have my number. Held onto my rears after I bought my Icons so I'd have something to use for rebuilds.
Click to expand...

OMG Drunner I luv you!! I have hit up a few members and friends I know to see if they have held onto theirs with no luck.. I've been on CL,forum classifieds etc..
Since this rig is the chicks DD I need it back on road worthy... Phone tap coming your way.
 
Thanks sucks =/

Curious, anybody have comment of how the billies compare to a full OME setup?

OME seems to be the other popular option in the under $1k price range
 
NinjaOne said:
Thanks sucks =/

Curious, anybody have comment of how the billies compare to a full OME setup?

OME seems to be the other popular option in the under $1k price range
Click to expand...

I've never run Bilsteins but I do run full OME, never had any issues. Had OME on my previous truck too. I'm a fan.
 
Oneluv13T4R said:
OMG Drunner I luv you!! I have hit up a few members and friends I know to see if they have held onto theirs with no luck.. I've been on CL,forum classifieds etc..
Since this rig is the chicks DD I need it back on road worthy... Phone tap coming your way.
Click to expand...

I'm learning a lot from you Miah of things to bring while wheelin. I'm slowly building tools, tie rods, hose, hose clamps and now shocks. But ole girl did well the rest of the time with 3 shocks.:bravo:
 
CXS said:
How old (months) are yours? Obviously not everyone has issues but I kind of wonder if there was some change that happened in the past in mfg. that may have weakened them.
Click to expand...



Good question...

4 or 5 years old?

And it could be setup as well. I have FJ springs which maybe don't stress the shocks too much. But I'm running E rated 33's which are significantly heavier than stock along with a lot of extra weight from skids, sliders, etc. (no bumpers though)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Low cost option

So for a lower cost full lift kit (NO Fox/Icon) would you all recommend the Toytec Boss lift over the Toytec Ultimate lift (the one with Bilsteins)? Or maybe roll with an OME setup?

I'm asking for a 2WD, DD that is on paved road 95% of the time, with no plans for mudding, jumping or crawling; but still wants a lift and maybe sliders in the future.
 
Can't seem to find consistant answers.

The Yin said:
So for a lower cost full lift kit (NO Fox/Icon) would you all recommend the Toytec Boss lift over the Toytec Ultimate lift (the one with Bilsteins)? Or maybe roll with an OME setup?

I'm asking for a 2WD, DD that is on paved road 95% of the time, with no plans for mudding, jumping or crawling; but still wants a lift and maybe sliders in the future.
Click to expand...

So far I've read mixed reviews on the OME and Bilsteins. Many reivews of the shocks started out great, but only to learn the OME were too stiff and Bilsteins performed poorly after time. I don't know how these units are being driven so the plan is to keep reading. I'm so confused though. :gun4:I'm also looking for an answer but on a 4x4 for a DD on uneven bad roads, lots of corners, and hilly. Any help is appreciated. :rapture:
 
URBUGGED said:
So far I've read mixed reviews on the OME and Bilsteins. Many reivews of the shocks started out great, but only to learn the OME were too stiff and Bilsteins performed poorly after time. I don't know how these units are being driven so the plan is to keep reading. I'm so confused though. :gun4:I'm also looking for an answer but on a 4x4 for a DD on uneven bad roads, lots of corners, and hilly. Any help is appreciated. :rapture:
Click to expand...
I think for use like you listed you should be OK, at least for a couple years. They are much better than stock and you'll think they are great, but over time you'll find them lacking and not quite able to keep up. If they start leaking though, they are done. Toss them and start over.

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.
 
In my opinion, if you want to do sweet jumps and woops in your 4runner, your going to have to have deeper pockets than a Bilstein build. Bilsteins are great for a dual use setup. They are not going to survive high speed offroad and jumping your truck.

Don't blame Bilstein for breaking when your pushing them harder than they are designed for. Go buy some King shocks.
 
JohnJMonroe said:
In my opinion, if you want to do sweet jumps and woops in your 4runner, your going to have to have deeper pockets than a Bilstein build. Bilsteins are great for a dual use setup. They are not going to survive high speed offroad and jumping your truck.

Don't blame Bilstein for breaking when your pushing them harder than they are designed for. Go buy some King shocks.
Click to expand...
Although I agree with you, I don't do jumps and woops. Sure, they happen, not intentionally by any means. Regardless, most of my driving is highway and most of my offroading is two-tracks and sandy hills. I've never found them able to keep up. They even chatter when pulling into gas stations and such over that small lip that is at the entrance. Sure, it's more stable than stock, but not by much. The fact is, they leaked, broke, and just plain sucked! There's a reason they are $350 or less for all 4... THEY SUCK!

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.
 
I've got radflo in the front and bilstein in the rear, the front rides so smooth offroad but the rear is all over the place with the bilstein rear shocks
 
blakem5 said:
I've got radflo in the front and bilstein in the rear, the front rides so smooth offroad but the rear is all over the place with the bilstein rear shocks
Click to expand...
Ya same here. Ass jumps all over like a drunk bullfrog! I have bilstein on all 4 corners though. Wish I had some radflo!!
TheCremePuff said:
wish i would of saw this thread before i installed 5100s in the front and boss in the rear
Click to expand...
Yes, that's why I started this thread. I didn't hear anything bad either but since have read a bunch of people complain in their build threads. Figured a dedicated thread would help. Mod changed the name though because it hurt his feelers, although they can't seem to delete spam bots....
Originally this was titled "Bilstein can suck a bag of D&#@'s!" Lmao

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 320 (members: 3, guests: 317)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,304
Messages
3,554,041
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top