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2000BEAST
Regular
Date registered: Jul 2010
Location: NOCAL USA
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500 / 2008 Carrera S / 2019 GLC 43
Posts: 83
| Bilstein Shock Install
My 2003 G500 went over the magic 100k mark (and 12 years) so I decided to treat it to a new set of shocks. The existing original shocks still feel decent, but I have noticed a bit more "head sway" when cornering lately - besides with these miles/years/weight, it cant be a bad idea to update them.
Visited the Bilstein site, they have changed a lot of their product model descriptions so I actually talked with one of their specifiers based in SoCal - nice guy - to double-check the correct fitment. I have always used Bilstein products (B5, B6, Sport, Heavy Duty, etc) on my cars and trucks with good results. He said the latest product for our trucks is now called the 4600 Series, replacing the former "B' series and Heavy Duty designations.I then searched online, and actually TireRack had the best in stock net delivered price.
Just received them and planning to install them this weekend, and will spray the nuts with PB Blaster to help loosen things a bit the night before.
Question : Any "Tips" or suggestions from anyone out there who has done this before ???
I ask because (1) at first glance the top mounts look very tight in terms of access to the fastening nuts/bolts (2) One set of shocks came with a plastic/nylon strap limiting the length of extension of those shocks, not used to seeing that...
Thanks for the help fellas !
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: Bilstein Shock Install
2000BEAST - 1/7/2016 6:38 PM
One set of shocks came with a plastic/nylon strap limiting the length of extension of those shocks, not used to seeing that...
Thanks for the help fellas !
That's because they're gas pressurized. |
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2000BEAST
Regular
Date registered: Jul 2010
Location: NOCAL USA
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500 / 2008 Carrera S / 2019 GLC 43
Posts: 83
| RE: Bilstein Shock Install
Makes sense... So, I should probably position the shocks in place as best possible prior to cutting the nylon retaining strap ? |
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burqueDOKA
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Vehicle(s): 1550L37Doka, 404 ROCKMOG, '00 G500
Posts: 622
| RE: Bilstein Shock Install
2000BEAST - 1/7/2016 6:00 PM
Makes sense... So, I should probably position the shocks in place as best possible prior to cutting the nylon retaining strap ?
Ex-act-a-mundo. Jack up the G and set Jack stands under the frame not the axles. then reposition the Jack to the axle. Now you can Jack the axle up and down as needed. Might need to unbolt the sway bar to allow the axle to drop lower than normal for easier fittment of the shock. Place shock into position, Jack axle up into it and bolt it up and release the strap you mentioned, and bob's your uncle.
Edited by burqueDOKA 1/7/2016 8:23 PM
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2000BEAST
Regular
Date registered: Jul 2010
Location: NOCAL USA
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500 / 2008 Carrera S / 2019 GLC 43
Posts: 83
| RE: Bilstein Shock Install
Perfecto - just what I was looking for, THANKS for the short but sweet tutorial - appreciate it. |
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burqueDOKA
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Vehicle(s): 1550L37Doka, 404 ROCKMOG, '00 G500
Posts: 622
| Re: Bilstein Shock Install
No problem, let us know what you think of the Bilstiens, I am long over due for some new shocks too and am on the fence between them and the remote reservoir Fox's. |
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rman
Regular
Date registered: Sep 2015
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500
Posts: 53
| Re: Bilstein Shock Install
I compressed the shocks to a little under the length required, and then held them in that position with mechanic's wire. I then put the shock in place on the top mount, and positioned it over the bottom mount, and cut the wire. The shock then decompressed into place.
Hope that made sense?
I had the wheel removed, and the axle on a stand.
R. |
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darko
Regular
Date registered: Mar 2012
Location: Isle of Man
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500
Posts: 62
| RE: Bilstein Shock Install
I'll be looking to do this soon so look forward to hearing how you got on, if you can take pictures that would be great |
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| Re: Bilstein Shock Install
I put Bilsteins on all 4 with my 2002 after 100K miles, didn't really notice a difference handling wise. I put a set of Bilsteins again on the rear on my 1999 when I installed the spring spacers. I have passed on the Konis and expensive alternatives as the B's held up well to floating washboard and other off road abuse. |
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ILIAN
Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2014
Location: Boston MA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500 1999 CL500
Posts: 181
| Re: Bilstein Shock Install
I think Harald went 300k miles on the original bilsteins so you should be good for a while longer. I have 130k on the original shocks and they feel decent. Will probably get Koni's after I'm done with all the other mods. |
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512bbi
Expert
Date registered: Jan 2007
Location: North western US and Europe
Vehicle(s): 05G55kge,Range rover classic,clk55amg,ML 430
Posts: 1313
| RE: Bilstein Shock Install
Under normal use they all last for a very long time.
When I say last I mean they still apply force to the spring to dampen its energy that needs to be controlled as it absorbs the bumps but.......even though there is still life in the shock a lot of things start giving away since the first 50k
At 100 k there is no way you would not feel a difference on fresh shocks.
Push down on your G with out shocks in place and you will be amazed how soft the springs really are ,so even with 200k on them they still work some and Harald at 300k I am sure his truck did not drive as it would if he removed his shocks and go for a drive before he changed them.
One way to save with Bilsteins is to change the front ones only with heavy duty ones every 60k to 80k or so and let the rear ones go to over 100k or more
Even if they still apply lots of force with lots of miles the aging of their seals oil etc make them loose their smoothness and the way they operate which will effect the quality of your ride.
I like both control and a smooth ride, and just some control with jarring ride is only a question of how you like to balance your expense against the quality or function necessary of your ride.
Bilsteins and even more so the heavy duty ones are build with a shotgun approach so they are usually softer than necessary up front and too strong for the rear.
Mario |
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| Re: Bilstein Shock Install
I suppose my assessment has to do with blown seals on shocks from driving washboard at speed. The point of external reservoir shocks is to reduce overheating of the oil in the shock due to prolonged repetitive vibration.
It may be that a properly aired down large tire reduces the stress and heat in the shock. I have had the issues in a previous 4x4 vehicle using Old Man Emu shocks and smaller tires. Much like the press run of the new G550's in the Australian outback blowing the seals on the factory shocks. |
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512bbi
Expert
Date registered: Jan 2007
Location: North western US and Europe
Vehicle(s): 05G55kge,Range rover classic,clk55amg,ML 430
Posts: 1313
| RE: Bilstein Shock Install
I think the ones that blew in Australia were maybe related in design to the ones my truck had stock which includes helper springs inside the shocks that will melt and cause the failure.
The 461 in that route had no issues because they did not have the same design.
I went through two sets under warranty and they could not hold up past 15k per set.
I am not sure about the extra oil and reservoir shocks since I do not think we ever use the Gs of road as a true high speed racer,and even though I am guilty of running tires at high speed travelling on 65 percent of 285mms profile (which I think is enough rubber to do a lot) I have not found the need for extra reservoir shocks on the G using double tube koni 90s which I have to admit they have never faded even in situations that are very rare for the G.
To be specific there is a big wide road larger than a normal two lane dual direction highway with long sections of extreme wash board that is 20 miles or so long and when I drive it I just make time and have fun with the G on wide corners and dips along the way coming from hunting camp to a town close to the border in Mexico for supplies so I do not want to make it an hour drive as most on the same drive and I think going fast there is the most extreme test on the shocks every few days as I spend many weeks out there every year hunting.
There is zero fade from these non gas pressure huge double tube shocks after running at full big highway speeds the whole way.
I feel some of the shocks available today they need to be gas pressurized to with stand normal use and Bilstein voided my warranty on their custom shocks when I told them once how many miles I do of road daily and for how long.....they said that is equal to of road racing use and their normal shocks are not made to do this but to be used by people that drive on pavement with an occasional of road trip for a few hours or a day maybe once a week or a lot less.
I think to do the same one needs true racing shocks which require service after every race and cost a fortune which is not practical for the G
This is why I feel the 90 konis are the best for the money together with the fact they have special limiting valves that can hold the axles at full travel with out limiting straps and such to protect the shocks from end of stroke damage
Mario
Edited by 512bbi 1/9/2016 2:46 AM
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gelenda
Veteran
Date registered: Mar 2012
Location: Great Bay, New Hampshire
Vehicle(s): '03 G500, '16 E63S AMG, '15 Grand Cherokee Diesel
Posts: 122
| Re: Bilstein Shock Install
I replaced the stock shocks with Bilsteins at 125K a few years ago and it made a very noticeable difference in terms of improved handling. Best upgrade ever and they were very reasonably priced as I recall.
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| RE: Bilstein Shock Install
512bbi - 1/8/2016 11:30 PM
To be specific there is a big wide road larger than a normal two lane dual direction highway with long sections of extreme wash board that is 20 miles or so long and when I drive it I just make time and have fun with the G on wide corners and dips along the way coming from hunting camp to a town close to the border in Mexico for supplies so I do not want to make it an hour drive as most on the same drive and I think going fast there is the most extreme test on the shocks every few days as I spend many weeks out there every year hunting.
That sounds awesome  |
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Inkblotz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
Posts: 3186
| Re: Bilstein Shock Install
Install them test drive them and if you don't like the way they perform (too soft or too stiff) remove them and ship them to Bilstein in CA and they will recalibrate them for you for free. Bilsteins have a lifetime warranty so if they go bad send them back for a new set.
One installation note: When installing there should be an Allen head opening on the top of the shock rod. Screw the nut down a bit then insert a allen wrench and hold it to keep the shaft from turning. You do not want the shaft to turn when tightening.
Mark
Edited by Inkblotz 1/10/2016 9:17 AM
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2000BEAST
Regular
Date registered: Jul 2010
Location: NOCAL USA
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500 / 2008 Carrera S / 2019 GLC 43
Posts: 83
| RE: Bilstein Shock Install
Thanks for the install note Inkblotz...probably would have missed that detail.
I got sidetracked with other things this weekend and did not get around to the install - planning on next weekend instead.
Also - I agree that Bilstein has a tremendous warranty, which I actually put to the test many (20?) years ago... customer for life now.
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512bbi
Expert
Date registered: Jan 2007
Location: North western US and Europe
Vehicle(s): 05G55kge,Range rover classic,clk55amg,ML 430
Posts: 1313
| Re: Bilstein Shock Install
Inkblotz - 1/10/2016 7:16 AM
Install them test drive them and if you don't like the way they perform (too soft or too stiff) remove them and ship them to Bilstein in CA and they will recalibrate them for you for free. Bilsteins have a lifetime warranty so if they go bad send them back for a new set.
One installation note: When installing there should be an Allen head opening on the top of the shock rod. Screw the nut down a bit then insert a allen wrench and hold it to keep the shaft from turning. You do not want the shaft to turn when tightening.
Mark
You can do that and build custom shocks in the process but if you go back more than once your lifetime warranty will go out the window and I am a live example of this reality.
You will also pay for the shocks new and the job to revalve them custom
I had their shocks wear out per their reluctant judgement after they got them back, and also had shafts on good shocks braking like dry bread on my rear shocks of my Rover two different times because we used poly bushings which they approved.
Most will not use them enough to make them fail and they do not operate as new for life
This would be a good route to take if you custom build them and exchange them at least once for the money when they start to not be so good and have to know your stuff to have them agree if they are not as new anymore because they think no one knows te difference when they try to tell you their worn out shocks are still good because they are not leaking.....
Mario
Edited by 512bbi 1/11/2016 7:34 PM
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oskar
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2006
Location: Lyons, CO
Vehicle(s): 1981 280GE, 2002 G500, 280SE 4.5, Audi A4 1.8T
Posts: 708
| Re: Bilstein Shock Install
burqueDOKA - 1/8/2016 9:18 AM
No problem, let us know what you think of the Bilstiens, I am long over due for some new shocks too and am on the fence between them and the remote reservoir Fox's.
Fox or King ? Probably as many opinions as forum members :-)
Oskar
Edited by oskar 1/12/2016 12:21 AM
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ILIAN
Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2014
Location: Boston MA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500 1999 CL500
Posts: 181
| Re: Bilstein Shock Install
That's the trick, how do you convince them over the phone the shocks are not good and they are not installed on the car? Obviously those guys will try to tell you otherwise and you got no way to prove anything. |
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