Life expectancy of Bilstein shocks?

[thor999]

What is the life expectancy of Bilsteins? After only 5 years mine are VERY rusty! Still functional, but this rust is getting really ugly... also are there any good tutorials on replacing them? All the links I find are dead.
What shocks would you guys recommend for OME 2.5 inch lift, daily driver, minimal offroading? This is a 2001 SR5 4x4.

 

[Gerdo]

I love my Bilsteins. I had about 100,000 miles on my last set but replaced them for longer ones. Even at 100k they still rode great.

 

[brian2sun]

Don't Billies have a lifetime warranty? If you kept your reciept, you can probably get a free set.

 

[borgzman]

I have lifetime warranty for the 5100 Adjustable only, my Heavy duty(yellow Bilstein) don't.

 

[thor999]

Well I called the office in Ca and the lady told me there was no coverage for rust... must say I am not too impressed and won't be going w/ Bilsteins again.

 

[Singtoe]

Well I called the office in Ca and the lady told me there was no coverage for rust... must say I am not too impressed and won't be going w/ Bilsteins again.

I take it, your not going with Toyota anymore either- Because of the rust.



I don't think there are any non-competition based shocks that are made out of stainless or aluminum. I think that they are all made from a ferrous steel.

 

[thor999]

Good point, just a tad upset that the warranty doesn't cover rust. Keep in mind, this is only 5 years of use. Also, a bit too stiff for a daily driver, imo; could you recommend a good shock for me? I live in the foothills in Co and navigate a lot of twisty roads so shocks that hold up in the cornering would be preferable.

 

[Pikeman]

Ok, first things first. Where do you live? **edit** Foothills of CO. Do they salt the roads during winter?

Most shocks have a life of 50k- 70k miles.

I seriously doubt any of the competitors (Rancho, KYB etc would fare any better for rust)
you have to remember that if you off-road, which includes any dirt gravel road to the extreme rock crawling you kick up rocks. These rocks chip the coating or paint leaving the metal unprotected and easier for rust to set in. Heck for that matter just driving in the city will encounter enough gravel to do this in construction areas.

Call Toytec, they are one of the sponsors on here and probably the most knowledgable shop on suspension products for our trucks, and they are in CO.

 

[rickashay]

I take it, your not going with Toyota anymore either- Because of the rust.



I don't think there are any non-competition based shocks that are made out of stainless or aluminum. I think that they are all made from a ferrous steel.

Doesnt ICON have some sort of coating on their shocks to deter corrosion?

 

[thor999]

Will do Pikeman, I forgot about them, thanks! Any "treatment" you could recommend on my next set to prevent corrosion? FWIW in Bilstein's defense those 5 years were spent in Minneapolis, MN! Oh finally found some info on removing the rear shocks: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/suspension/68302-rear-shock-removal-tip.html

 

[Pikeman]

Doesnt ICON have some sort of coating on their shocks to deter corrosion?

Yes they do and so does the Bilstein 5100+ series. Also the Icon usually fall into the race/ competition shock category and I think they might even be aluminium body anyways. I am also not sure the average user on this board is willing to pay the $439 per shock for rears or $1157 for front coil overs.

 

[KSWAY]

I'd be happy with 5 years of use out of any shocks and be happy to replace them with a

 

[SCRunner12]

Bumping this thread. Would it be a good deal for a pair of 10" 5150 Bilsteins with the eye adapter for $50? There is a guy local who has a set he's selling, but they have 40k on them. I have a pair of Tokico Trekmasters, but if the 5150's would be better I might go with those.

 

[ALBPM]

My HDs lasted 9 years the bushings fell apart before the shocks ever wore out..

 

[Stockwell45]

Bumping this thread. Would it be a good deal for a pair of 10" 5150 Bilsteins with the eye adapter for $50? There is a guy local who has a set he's selling, but they have 40k on them. I have a pair of Tokico Trekmasters, but if the 5150's would be better I might go with those.

I'd jump on that in a heartbeat

 

[t4r4life]

Bumping this thread. Would it be a good deal for a pair of 10" 5150 Bilsteins with the eye adapter for $50? There is a guy local who has a set he's selling, but they have 40k on them. I have a pair of Tokico Trekmasters, but if the 5150's would be better I might go with those.

dude! GO GET THEM NOW!

 

[SCRunner12]

I am. I'm buying them of Ken who was at the mod day when we put the lift on Ruben's Tacoma. Now I need to either return or sell my Tokico's.