I bought a set of Bilstein shocks bassed upon talk on this board and now they have failed after only 10k. The bushings went bad. The Bilstein dealer says they were not installed right, but after checking this board I have found another thread talking about bad Bilstein bushings.
http://hemitruckclub.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1500019252/m/4130065714

So, I would like to hear from the experts. Are Bilstein busings failing because they are not installed properly, or because they are junk? If they are failing because they are not installed right, then what is the issue with installing them that people are failing to do? BTY, mine were installed by a mechanic.

MacHemi

I'm sure it is not a nation-wide problem with these shocks... just a couple bad bushings. I will pass on your info to Bilstein (Corporate) and see what they have to say. Send me a PM with your mailing address in case Bilstein asks to send you new bushings or shocks (no guarantees, but I want to be prepared).

I have had the Bilsteins on for almost two years now... no issues.

Thanks for your reply MrHemi.

I actually bought the shocks over the counter from a Bilstein dealer. He's the one who told me they were most likely not installed right.

When they removed the Bilsteins, they actually had to cut them off because the nut was so badly damaged from the bushing being bad they could not remove them otherwise. So, replacement bushings will not help me.

I tend to believe that my mechaninc did not install them correctly. I mean, if the bushings were that bad these things would not have the rep that they do, right?

What I'd like to know is what is getting screwed up when people install them that causes the bushing failure?

Thanks again for any help/info posted.

quote:

I actually bought the shocks over the counter from a Bilstein dealer. He's the one who told me they were most likely not installed right

Did they say what wasn't installed right? I don't see how the shock could be installed wrong. Been putting my own on for years and never ran into any problems.

Just currious if I have been lucky and need to pay more attention.

I'm pretty interested to see how this turns out. I'm in need of new shocks and I'm thinking of going with Bilsteins. Keep us updated as to any info.

I like my Bilsteins, just wished I had gone with the off road application, like the ones on the Hummers

I just got off the phone with a Bilstein rep... looks like the bushing problem is in fact an installation issue. The rep mentioned that their instructions could probably be more clear when it comes to the bushings. More to come - I'm waiting on a set of detailed installation instructions that clearly state what's involved with the bushing assembly.

Hope this works... here's the instructions.

I remember seeing these instructions with the shocks and hoping that the mechanic had enough sense to follow them. I saw the mechanic yesterday and told him of the problem. He said he didn't see anything different about installing these shocks from any other. I do not know, that is why I had a mechanic do it.

So, those of you who are familiar with installing ANY shocks. Does this diagram look typical, or is there something here that is different that someone could screw up if they did not read them. What about the tourge? Maybe the guy over/under torged them?

Also, I assume the instructions are the same for front and rear? I still have the rears on. I will get under the truck today and look at them and report anything I learn.

I tend to believe that as the shock dealers state that this is an installation issue. Maybe the mechanic did not push the bushing into where the proper seating as the diagram shows. Maybe he did not tourge correctly.

I firmly believe that nobody can ever do as good a job at something as the person who cares the most. Unfortunatly I am not able to install my own shocks, and the fact that one has to buy Bilsteins, then either install themselves or have someone do it, is a factor that people should consider.

I have not yet returned the removed shocks to the place I bought them, but there is not much they would be able to tell as they had to be cut off in order to remove them. If I get any further info about this I will pass it on. Meanwhile, thanks MrHemi for your help and others who posted to this thread.

OK, so I just got under the truck and saw that the rear shocks are totally different. Shows you how much I know...

When I get a chance I will bring the removed shocks back to the place I bought them, but I would be very surprized if they give me new ones. As I mentioned, they had to be cut to remove them.

I'm betting that the a_hole mechanic did not push the bushing up into the frame as the instructions show, or, he did not torgue them right. Anyway, I am back with a pair of OEM shocks on the front and unless I get free replacement Bilsteins I will wait until the OEM's wear out to deal with this issue again.

As a mechanic for over 30 years I'm willing to bet the mechanic who installed the shocks ran the nut down with an impact wrench/gun. In other words he doesnt know how to use a torque wrench. That is a very low torque for a bushing, however 30, 40 or 50 ft lbs of torque will significantly squash the bushing causing it to wear out much faster than normal.
Good luck with your warranty, I would take it back to the installer and see if they can help.

Hmmm, I'm going to have to go back and check my front shocks to make sure I didn't overtorque the top nut, and double check the bushings while I'm at it.

BTW, Bilstein offers the best, most comprehensive line of shocks you can find. If something went wrong, it was probably the result of a bad installation.

will you see a differnce if you've over torqued them?? I have the bilstein HPS 1000 and they ride like crap compared to stock?? I don't know if it's cause I bought them used or I lowered my truck but I thought they were supposed to ride better?? they do seem to corner better though but once again I don't know if it's the shocks or the lowering kit, but I do know bilstein ride like crap, stiff as a board. will sway bars help the ride any??? preciate it.......

I have 23000 miles on my Bilsteins and was just told by the people at Les Schwab that my busings also need to be replaced. I don't know if they were overtorqued when the drop kit was put in a few months ago.

Anyone know how to obtain new busings as the shocks seem to be fine?

I brought up the concerns some people have had concerning the bushings during my last conversation with a Bilstein rep... I was told you may contact any Bilstein dealer and let them know of the condition of the bushings. They should replace them for you (whether that's "free of charge", I'm not sure).