Leaking Bilsteins - normal?
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Leaking Bilsteins - normal?
Hi gang,
I wanted to repost this question with a better topic title.
My LT4 48K miles has "some" leaking at the front shocks. If you measured it probably a 3-5 inch dark stain (from the dust & crud attaching to the oil). The shocks work fine as far as I can tell. Who thinks this is "normal" & I should just wipe em every so often for appearance sake & who thinks this is time for rebuild/new. I live near a Bilstein distribution location in San Diego & will try to take one of their tours & show them the shocks b4 I do anything. Will post what they say. Thanks for any responses.
I wanted to repost this question with a better topic title.
My LT4 48K miles has "some" leaking at the front shocks. If you measured it probably a 3-5 inch dark stain (from the dust & crud attaching to the oil). The shocks work fine as far as I can tell. Who thinks this is "normal" & I should just wipe em every so often for appearance sake & who thinks this is time for rebuild/new. I live near a Bilstein distribution location in San Diego & will try to take one of their tours & show them the shocks b4 I do anything. Will post what they say. Thanks for any responses.
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Re: Leaking Bilsteins - normal? (froggy47)
This is a no brainer. Read the Bilstein web site if you don't believe it's normal for the shocks to leak some or call them up since you seem not to believe it coming from some of us. :crazy: :skep: :D :lol:
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From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Re: Leaking Bilsteins - normal? (ConeKLR)
This is a no brainer. Read the Bilstein web site if you don't believe it's normal for the shocks to leak some or call them up since you seem not to believe it coming from some of us. :crazy: :skep: :D :lol:
:lolg: :iagree: :lolg:
Burning Brakes
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Re: Leaking Bilsteins - normal? (froggy47)
there is two words that should never be used in the same sentence, leaky, and shocks. That is a bad thing. If you have to say I think I have leaky shocks then there is no doubt they are fubared! Any sign of leaking is bad, even if its just a little trace, start shopping around for some replacments. And don't settle for anything less than Bilsteins, because they were made for your car and they are hard to beat!
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From: Northern CA
Re: Leaking Bilsteins - normal? (froggy47)
I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that leaking shocks are bad. Even the GM service manual says a small leak (like you described) is ok. With that said, your shocks could very well need replacement. My Bilsteins were leaking pretty badly at 45k, getting on the rocker panel. I had to clean it every week. That prompted me to replace the shocks ASAP.
[Modified by JasonL, 4:22 PM 3/15/2003]
[Modified by JasonL, 4:22 PM 3/15/2003]
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member, Inland Empire Chapter
Re: Leaking Bilsteins - normal? (froggy47)
I cant believe what Im reading here. Its ok for there to be leakage. Bilstein specifically said they designed their shocks with 50% of the fluid in them for leakage to keep them lubed. Plain and simple. Do some research and see for yourself.
addendum: If your vette hasnt been pushed that much shocks can also get noisy. But some good fun driving will get them back in shape. Sorta like exercising unused muscles I think. Mine were noisy as hell when I first bought the vette last year but a few months of *exercise* and they handle great and arent noisy at all now.
[Modified by DarkHalo, 4:30 PM 3/15/2003]
addendum: If your vette hasnt been pushed that much shocks can also get noisy. But some good fun driving will get them back in shape. Sorta like exercising unused muscles I think. Mine were noisy as hell when I first bought the vette last year but a few months of *exercise* and they handle great and arent noisy at all now.
[Modified by DarkHalo, 4:30 PM 3/15/2003]
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Re: Leaking Bilsteins - normal? (DarkHalo)
I cant believe what Im reading here. Its ok for there to be leakage. Bilstein specifically said they designed their shocks with 50% of the fluid in them for leakage to keep them lubed. Plain and simple. Do some research and see for yourself.
addendum: If your vette hasnt been pushed that much shocks can also get noisy. But some good fun driving will get them back in shape. Sorta like exercising unused muscles I think. Mine were noisy as hell when I first bought the vette last year but a few months of *exercise* and they handle great and arent noisy at all now.
addendum: If your vette hasnt been pushed that much shocks can also get noisy. But some good fun driving will get them back in shape. Sorta like exercising unused muscles I think. Mine were noisy as hell when I first bought the vette last year but a few months of *exercise* and they handle great and arent noisy at all now.
A small amount of "wet spotting" is generally acceptable. The minute the fluid starts to get on anything other than the shock itself...it's time to start looking for a replacement or a rebuild.
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member, Inland Empire Chapter
Re: Leaking Bilsteins - normal? (rocco16)
IA small amount of "wet spotting" is generally acceptable. The minute the fluid starts to get on anything other than the shock itself...it's time to start looking for a replacement or a rebuild.
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
http://www.zr1.net/ZR1_faq.html#55
quote:
QUESTION: It seems my Bilstein shocks are leaking, does this mean they are bad?
ANS: Bilstein Gas Pressure Shock Absorbers, due to the extremely high pressures exerted on the oil chamber, must use a seal which is extremely tight. To prevent deterioration of this rod seal due to high temperatures and wear resulting from the friction between the piston rod and seal, a self-lubricating seal is used. By design, a small amount of the shock absorber oil is allowed to pass by the seal onto the piston rod, thus creating a constant film of oil on the rod. In fact, approximately 10% of the total oil capacity of the shock absorber is intended for this purpose.
After long periods of service, this oil will create a film on the shock absorber body. The appearance of this film of oil is normal and should not be taken to indicate a defective Bilstein Shock Absorber. This gradual oil loss will not affect the performance of the shock absorber over its service life.
end quote.
I was way off on remembering the exact % meant for lubrication though, sorry :sad:
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Re: Leaking Bilsteins - normal? (DarkHalo)
DarkHalo,
You and I should go buy some stock in Bilstein. :lol:
Can't believe how many people on here would go buy new shocks because of the leak described. The poster did not say allot of fluid is leaking all over the place.
What's even funnier is they are being told Bilstein are designed this way.
They still don't believe it. Okay I'm ROTFL now. You guys crack me up.
:crazy: :lol: :D
What ever. It's your money, do what you want. :thumbs: :rofl: :grouphug:
[Modified by ConeKLR, 9:40 PM 3/15/2003]
You and I should go buy some stock in Bilstein. :lol:
Can't believe how many people on here would go buy new shocks because of the leak described. The poster did not say allot of fluid is leaking all over the place.
What's even funnier is they are being told Bilstein are designed this way.
They still don't believe it. Okay I'm ROTFL now. You guys crack me up.
:crazy: :lol: :D
What ever. It's your money, do what you want. :thumbs: :rofl: :grouphug:
[Modified by ConeKLR, 9:40 PM 3/15/2003]
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member, Inland Empire Chapter
Re: Leaking Bilsteins - normal? (ConeKLR)
plus Id more than likely get them rebuilt at the Bilstein plant a couple hours from where I live instead of getting all new ones. I think Ill go ahead and check the stock prices on Bilstein too :lol:
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From: Southern CA
Re: Leaking Bilsteins - normal? (Greg Johnson)
I appreciate all the posts. The fluid is not on anything except the shock body & probably was never wiped by the previous two owners. I'll note the extent in my maint. log & wipe them & monitor. If I can make the time I'll scoot over to Poway first & see if someone at Bilstein will have a look. :)
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member, Inland Empire Chapter
Re: Leaking Bilsteins - normal? (froggy47)
I appreciate all the posts. The fluid is not on anything except the shock body & probably was never wiped by the previous two owners. I'll note the extent in my maint. log & wipe them & monitor. If I can make the time I'll scoot over to Poway first & see if someone at Bilstein will have a look. :)
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Re: Leaking Bilsteins - normal? (DarkHalo)
John- I talked to Bilstein (John French??) and got a price on a rebuild; $55 each without a new rod, add $10 w/ new rod. Now, that's $220 -$260 a set.
Heck, even MAD sells a set of new Bilsteins for only $299. Unless you are unnaturally attached to your present dampers, I'd recommend NEW........:)
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
Heck, even MAD sells a set of new Bilsteins for only $299. Unless you are unnaturally attached to your present dampers, I'd recommend NEW........:)
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
