Community Forums

becken6 · 12-16-2015, 05:19 AM

Needed some new shocks on my Dodge. After much research I went with Bilstein 5100's. Rode good at first. After about 1 1/2 years the front started to ride rough. Could "feel" every bump. Took the front shocks off and the right one was completely junk. Parts rolling around inside and the stem went back and forth as you tipped the body. The left one was fine. I changed all of them out and installed Monroes. No problems yet. They have been on about 3 years now. I expected more out of the Bilstein's. Especially for the price. A lot of people use them and have no problem. Guess that's my luck. Just my 2 cents.

Cummins12V98 · 12-16-2015, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by becken6

Needed some new shocks on my Dodge. After much research I went with Bilstein 5100's. Rode good at first. After about 1 1/2 years the front started to ride rough. Could "feel" every bump. Took the front shocks off and the right one was completely junk. Parts rolling around inside and the stem went back and forth as you tipped the body. The left one was fine. I changed all of them out and installed Monroes. No problems yet. They have been on about 3 years now. I expected more out of the Bilstein's. Especially for the price. A lot of people use them and have no problem. Guess that's my luck. Just my 2 cents.

Sorry but you wasted your money. This is right off their web site.

"ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America warrants its gas pressure shock absorbers against defects in workmanship and materials for as long as you, the original purchaser, own your car."

Yours is the first I have heard of having a bad Bilstein shock.

becken6 · 12-16-2015, 01:08 PM

I am aware of warranty. It requires a proof of purchase which after 1 1/2 years I did not have.

Cummins12V98 · 12-16-2015, 01:59 PM

Good reason to keep receipts. A credit card statement or check should be sufficient.

becken6 · 12-16-2015, 02:09 PM

Yep. Lesson learned. I got to thinking about this and did some paperwork digging. Found a copy of the order receipt and shipping update. Wonder if that would work?

LETMGROW · 12-16-2015, 02:12 PM

Check with these folks before you buy shocks.
Bilstein - KYB - Rancho - Monroe - Edelbrock Automotive Truck Shocks and Struts - Shockwarehouse.com
Lynn

Dasmoeturhead · 12-16-2015, 06:18 PM

Bilstiens

SmokeyWren · 12-16-2015, 08:32 PM

That reminded me. My 2012 F-150 has 55,000 miles on it now, with the OEM shocks still on there. But they are close to giving up the ghost. So I just ordered a set of Bilstein 4600 HD shocks for about $350 from Shock Warehouse. Now I'll see if I can find someone to install them for me. I used to DIY to replace my shocks, but now I'm too old to enjoy that stuff any longer.

RichR · 12-17-2015, 10:21 AM

I did a replacement on my truck earlier this year, paid for it for several days. To old too be crawling around on the ground.

Cummins12V98 · 12-17-2015, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by becken6

Yep. Lesson learned. I got to thinking about this and did some paperwork digging. Found a copy of the order receipt and shipping update. Wonder if that would work?

I am sure it would.

jacknife · 12-17-2015, 10:41 PM

Bilstiens ! Good shcks decent price.

TDI-Minnie · 12-19-2015, 05:42 AM

I found the Bilsteines online for a very good price. I have seen prices all over the place, so shop around. They should be priced competitively and probably cheaper than Koni (also a good product).

Bamaman · 12-19-2015, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

On a '99.5 F-250 SuperDuty diesel dragging an 8k 5er, the OEM shocks were worn out at around 40,000 miles. Replaced them with Monroe Gas Magnum, which were much better than OEM. Monroe makes several different shocks, but the Gas Magnum is the only one they make specifically for a pickup towing a trailer.
MONROE SHOCKS & STRUTS :: Gas-Magnum® Light Truck Shocks

After another 40,000 miles, there was absolutely nothing wrong with the Monroe Gas Magnum shocks, but there was lots of hype on TheDieselStop.com about how great were the Bilsteins. So I replaced the Gas Magnums with Bilsteins. Almost no difference, but maybe a slightly smoother ride when cruising down the interstate dragging the 5er.

Bilstein makes several different shocks too, and I installed the ones the Bilstein chart recommended for my truck. Today that would be the 4600 Series. You'll hear lots of hype about the 5100 Series, but those are only for lifted trucks.
4600 Series - Light Truck/SUV

I changed my OEM shocks to Bilsteins @ 40k miles, and they were something like $75 each. They didn't last any longer or perform any better than other HD shocks.

The Monroe Gas Magnums were bought online at RockAuto.com for something like $20 each. I honestly don't know how they sell some items so cheap and still give great delivery service.

I'm a stickler that RV'ers towing very heavy loads should keep their suspension, shocks and brakes in 100% condition. Earlier this year, I bought new brake pads from RockAuto, and again the prices were just downright cheap.

I finally broke down and got a wheel alignment @ 115K miles. Funny thing is that they really were not out of alignment. 3/4 ton truck front suspensions are tough if all parts are good.

caissiel · 12-21-2015, 09:03 PM

I have been driving high mileage trucks for 30 years and never installed any shocks. I only drive 4x4 equipped with stock HD suspension. Well worth the price. I do drive in the toughest roads in America.
If the load feels to soft I add leaf springs. Shocks that can be push down by hand will never improve a 3000 lbs load.