Bilstein 5100 front shock issues
#17
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Year: 1998
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If that is the case I believe that may be the root problem and not a manufacturing defect.
The more I analyze the issue and the details of the dialogue the more I am convinced (at least in his particular case) that the components being used were not compatible.
The more I analyze the issue and the details of the dialogue the more I am convinced (at least in his particular case) that the components being used were not compatible.
#18
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Year: 1997
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i will attempt to clarify...
the fronts were fine for 10k miles. i pulled them because the jeep had TOO MUCH rebound and the compression side was very soft. meaning i'd hit a bump and the front end would bob for another 300-500'. at 45 mph hitting the right bump would make the front tires come off the ground. it wasn't right, at all. there is certainly a problem with them. best i can tell - the rears are fine.
100% factory stock suspension + rancho aal (~2" lift) and 2" pucks up front. .75" xmember drop.
i used cheap shocks before buying the bilsteins, ultimately changing them bc the cheap ones rode horribly although they controlled the jeep just fine.
this is my dd. it has never seen off-road use. 100% street vehicle. it can cruise at 80 and track straight without a hand on the wheel. i have 50k miles on this set of tires, rotated once with 0 abnormal wear. i expect to see 60k+ out of them. my suspension is not the issue.
edit: i bought them through summit. bilstein explicitly states that all returns go through the vendor. they do not take returns.
the fronts were fine for 10k miles. i pulled them because the jeep had TOO MUCH rebound and the compression side was very soft. meaning i'd hit a bump and the front end would bob for another 300-500'. at 45 mph hitting the right bump would make the front tires come off the ground. it wasn't right, at all. there is certainly a problem with them. best i can tell - the rears are fine.
100% factory stock suspension + rancho aal (~2" lift) and 2" pucks up front. .75" xmember drop.
i used cheap shocks before buying the bilsteins, ultimately changing them bc the cheap ones rode horribly although they controlled the jeep just fine.
this is my dd. it has never seen off-road use. 100% street vehicle. it can cruise at 80 and track straight without a hand on the wheel. i have 50k miles on this set of tires, rotated once with 0 abnormal wear. i expect to see 60k+ out of them. my suspension is not the issue.
edit: i bought them through summit. bilstein explicitly states that all returns go through the vendor. they do not take returns.
Last edited by s346k; 06-14-2017 at 12:58 AM. Reason: iphone 6 > me
#19
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I've read enough of your posts to get the feeling that you know your way around a vehicle. So for what ever reason it sure sounds like a shock problem to me. Hope you find out why.
#20
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s346k, to be clear, I don't mean any of this to be disparaging toward you personally. Glad the Monroe's are working out for your needs and expectations.
#21
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bilsteins are not compatible with a stock coil? i must be the only person in xj history to use 5100 bilsteins with pucks on stock coils.
been trading emails with summit.
been trading emails with summit.
Last edited by s346k; 06-14-2017 at 10:19 AM.
#22
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Year: 93 2 door
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i will attempt to clarify...
the fronts were fine for 10k miles. i pulled them because the jeep had TOO MUCH rebound and the compression side was very soft. meaning i'd hit a bump and the front end would bob for another 300-500'. at 45 mph hitting the right bump would make the front tires come off the ground. it wasn't right, at all. there is certainly a problem with them. best i can tell - the rears are fine.
the fronts were fine for 10k miles. i pulled them because the jeep had TOO MUCH rebound and the compression side was very soft. meaning i'd hit a bump and the front end would bob for another 300-500'. at 45 mph hitting the right bump would make the front tires come off the ground. it wasn't right, at all. there is certainly a problem with them. best i can tell - the rears are fine.
so they compress way too easily? bummer man that's no good. It would be fun to cut one of those open if they give you the shaft on the warranty
#23
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~ how many miles were on your stock coils when you installed the 5100's?
#28
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ps i hate exchanging emails with companies. Takes forever. Only time I do is when I conclude the phone call saying what s wrong, and send an email with a pic after they ask and I'm done haha.
#29
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why did they fail? my suspension? since bilstein is known to be a quality shock - wouldn't it stand to reason that shocks of lesser quality would have the same death? but alas. the bilsteins lasted 50k miles less than their nearest competitor, the cheapest of cheap.
edit: yes 2" lift. i bought 2" lift specific shocks.
#30
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5100s are available for 2 inch lift? Well shoot I didn't find any in my search...went with 4600 under bilsteins recommendation.... my previous jeep had 5100 and aal for awhile like you did