gear-head2

Thanks Z51L9889

fyi the oil mist that I notice takes years to accumulate, I wipe it off and don't notice any significant accumulation for a couple of years, you really can't even see the oil but notice the dirt accumulates on the mist.

the test that you recommended, sounds like it tests the nitrogen charge. if I pass that I guess I'll save my money and put it into bushings instead.

thanks again

Z51L9889

You are welcome!

You are correct about the test I mentioned -- it is checking the gas charge along with the total amount of fluid loss.

Johns87

Trust Me,
They are SHOT!!!! Rebuild or replace. Either way, you will be happy that you did!
Get a set of KYB gas-adjusts while yours are being rebuilt. You will notice such an improvement the 150.00 for them is nothing!
By the time you get your shocks rebuilt, put them on and store the KYBs until the next time.
When shocks are gone, It is hard to think things can be as GREAT as they turn-out to be!

Take Care and Be Safe, -John

PS: I have kinda gotten the Opinion that you don't really want to change your shocks. You seem to want somebody to tell you that they will be OK for a few more miles. I am sorry to be the one to press this point but at your mileage...Your shocks are SHOT!!!!
This is really a GOOD thing, though. When you replace those shocks, You will be SOOO much happier with Your ride.

Kinkajou

Which Bilsteins would be recomended for a Daily driver with ocassional Track days?
Is it safe to fly the shocks home. I live outside the USA and would like to buy a set but do not know if this is possible.

Please advise guys!

Z51L9889

I haven't looked in the catalog to see exactly what is offered in the way of valvings, but I would recommend the "standard" OE replacements.

Yes, it is safe to air ship the shocks. We fly shocks over from Germany all the time. However, you will have to ship them -- they can't be carried on because they are pressurized.

Z51L9889

I agree to a certain extent with Johns87 in that any shock with 120K has exceeded its designed-in life expectancy. If the hand stroke test shows the parts are still functioning properly, there is no need to replace them at this time, but you will most likely need to replace them sometime relatively soon.

rocco16

Unfortunately, our cars were not built "currently", they were built from eleven to twenty-three years ago.

Bilstein advertises that their aftermarket shocks will last for 100,000 miles.
Personally, if you want the best performance from your Bilsteins, I'd replace them about every 50K.
The performance of every mechanical device begins to degrade as soon as it is put into use.

Larry
code5coupe

___________
not easily impressed....

Gold1986Vette420

Based on my own experience:
I bought my 86 z51 car in 1992 it was 6 years old and had 44,000 miles on it. I thought the car handled better than anything on the road... Smooth Road that is. Over choppy pavement and rough surface the car felt spooky. There was one piece of pavement that required I reduce my speed to about 30 mph (to avoid a unwanted lane change) vs. where I could take the corner at 40 mph or more in my previous 84 ws6 TA. I thought the car was just too tightly sprung. Later on the next year (59,000 miles) I replaced the shocks and I couldn't believe how well the car behaved. I really didn't know how capable the car handling could be. Like night and day. I could take that corner with ease at 50+ mph.
In my case my Bilsteins were shot before 6 years and 44,000 and I am sure they are close to gone again at 22 years and 86,000 but I just don't drive often or aggressively on back roads anymore. I guess I grew up a bit. I just realized I have only driven the car 24,000 in the last 15 years, and probably only 3,000 in the last 8. Man that is sad.

rfn026

I've had at least ten different sets of shocks on my '85. My favorite ones were the shocks that Bilstein rebuilt for me with custom valving. They built one set for ride comfort. Then they built another set for track use. The track shocks have huge rebound numbers and are brutal, but they keep the rear tires planted under braking.

I think the rebuilding cost is a lot more cost effective than buying new ones. Plus, they build you a shock for your unique purpose. I once drove Sebring with my ride comfort shocks and it scared the crap out of me. It scared the guy behind me even worse though.

If you have the FX3 you might want to talk to them about a different controler too. Bilstein has a variety available. Go to www.Bilstein.com/services.php


Richard Newton

101 Projects for Your Corvette 1984-1996http://<br /> www.amazon.com/101-Pr...9198226&sr=1-3
How to Restore and Modify Your Corvette, 1968-1982http://www.amazon.com/Restore-Corvet...9198371&sr=1-4
Wheel and Tire Performance Handbookhttp://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Performa...198539&sr=1-11
Ultimate Garage Handbookhttp://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Garag...9196848&sr=1-1
Autocross Performance Handbookhttp://www.amazon.com/Autocross-Perf...9196741&sr=8-1

BADDUCK

Anyone who thinks their original shocks are performing properly at 120,000 miles is dreaming. My Z51 is starting to "float" on asphalt dips with only 52,000 miles.

Z51L9889

The life requirement for C4 shocks was specified as 50K for twin tube shocks (base Delcos) and 100K for monotube shocks (Bilsteins) by GM way back in the early 80's.

I'm not trying to start a flame war here, but it is incredibly narrow minded to make sweeping statements such as "anyone who thinks their shocks are operating properly at 120,000 miles is dreaming". Yes, 120,000 is a lot of mileage, and yes, many shocks at 120,000 miles do indeed need replacing, but it has been my experience that a large percentage of Bilstein shocks will easily go 120K and still meet the performance requirements. As was pointed out in an earlier post, shocks do begin to wear immedately but they tend to wear at a very slow rate after the first few thousand miles. It is normal for some performance loss to occur throughout life, and that loss is taken into account in the design.

I am not just making this stuff up. I am a shock absorber design engineer for Bilstein and I have over 20 years experience in this field.

Again, I am not trying to flame anyone, I am just trying to help others benefit from my experience.

Sidney004

Absolutely good enough for me. My original FX3's have 70K on them. I drive it to the track and race it 6-7 times a year for the last 5 years at Infineon, ThunderHill and Laguna Seca. I have an updated FX3 controller chip and the shocks feel and look fine. Lap times have been faster than ever this with no major changes other than a slightly more aggresive alignment. By the way, if I opted for a custom Bilstein revalve, what would be your recommendations for compression and rebound values? It weighs 3600 pounds with fuel and driver, stock FX3 springs and 32/26 sway bar combo.

Z51L9889

I am not aware of exactly what valve combos our Aftermarket group currently has available, so I can't make an informed recommendation. Also, keep in mind that the 89-91 FX3 shocks are considerably different than the 92-95 units. I would suggest you call our Motorsports West office in Poway, CA and ask for a recommendation. The phone number is 858-386-5900.

Sidney004

Thanks Todd. From someone who still has not worn out their Bilsteins!

BrianCunningham

Here's what the inside of a Bilstein looks like

1bdvet

I would say it's time. I thought mind was fine, but at 60,000 I took them apart, and they where all shot. I even had one with little life, but it was leaking. To be truthful I replaced them all, and still didn't feel differents in the ride.

TA

Wow, I guess mine with 123k really need replacing

BADDUCK

You guess correctly, not withstanding "engineers" with an agenda!

ScaryFast

Revalve costs $65 per shock. I 've had mine done several times, most recently the rears in Aug '07.

Call the Poway performance office, ask for the technician. I can't remember his name but it starts with an "M". (Mario? Manual?) For years it was a guy named Jack French and you'll probably see that name here and there on the RR forums, but the last few times I've called it was the new guy. He's still extrememly helpful.

Tell him exactly what you want and he'll suggest a few options. Pick one that sounds right and you're set. Trust me, they do a LOT of these, they will understand your needs and you'll be happy.

ScaryFast

Why wouldn't you thank a guy who took the time to write paragraph upon paragraph of helpful information instead of calling him wrong?

Maybe your shocks are fine, maybe they're not. But one case of shocks lasting longer than 100K miles does not mean they all do. Look at the 5 other posters who said theirs went bad in less than 60K. They must also be wrong. Apparently I probably shouldn't have rebuilt mine, either. They had less than 2000 miles on them so they were clearly "ok".

And what is Z51's agenda that you're referring to? The original question was about Bilstiens, I never once saw him tell anyone to buy only Bilsteins, and frankly, he probably coundn't care less if the OP buys them or not as he's not going to see it in his personal paycheck.

Your attitude seems strange to me.