Old Bilsteins
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 166
Likes: 33
From: Connecticut, USA
Old Bilsteins
I have a 35 year old Vette with 43,000 miles.
It has the original Bilsteins with non-Z51.
Has age affected their performance and do they need to be replaced? They feel soft to me, but I have no bouncing or leaks.
What is your experience?
PS:
I forgot to mention. This Vette has been in storage for 23 years and just recently been put back on the road.
It has the original Bilsteins with non-Z51.
Has age affected their performance and do they need to be replaced? They feel soft to me, but I have no bouncing or leaks.
What is your experience?
PS:
I forgot to mention. This Vette has been in storage for 23 years and just recently been put back on the road.
Last edited by spaceweasel; Nov 21, 2024 at 04:35 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 365
From: Central Florida
When I bought my 87 Z52 I replaced them with KYB's plus new wheel bearings etc right away. Once off the car I could see they were not rebounding. They were 35 years old. I am not a race car driver and the KYB shocks have been great so far.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I have seen it both ways.
I have seen bilsteins that were still good after almost 300k miles (check some of the Impala Caprice9C1 forums too)
I have seen bilsteins that were bad after 40k miles on my '95 Corvette. There was some fluid leaking.
So each case is different.
Good luck.
I have seen bilsteins that were still good after almost 300k miles (check some of the Impala Caprice9C1 forums too)
I have seen bilsteins that were bad after 40k miles on my '95 Corvette. There was some fluid leaking.
So each case is different.
Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 111
Likes: 19
From: Kempten Bavaria
Bilstein offers a rebuild service for your old ones too.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 365
From: Central Florida
I tried the Bilstein website and could not find my old shock # 22052460 (stamped on the shock) or the GM p/n for it (22046477 FG3 & FE7 RPO's). All of this was using just the front as an example. I don't know if they will rebuild this old of a shock but other sites that rebuild Bilsteins might. Be ready to bleed after paying the bill.
From what I can see Bilsteins are around 100 bucks a piece new and KYB's are 31. Do you track the car or run it extremely aggressive ??? You may also wish to research Bilstein quality in the past few years.
.
.
From what I can see Bilsteins are around 100 bucks a piece new and KYB's are 31. Do you track the car or run it extremely aggressive ??? You may also wish to research Bilstein quality in the past few years.
.
.
Last edited by Vets-Vet; Nov 20, 2024 at 08:59 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 119
Likes: 61
I just replaced the original Bilsteins on my 96’, they had 80k miles and were shot. Couldn’t tell by looking at them but were very easy to compress when off the car and extended very slowly. Replaced them with KYBs and love them.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 166
Likes: 33
From: Connecticut, USA
How good are KYB on a C4, and exactly what is the handling like.
I'm not an "original" fanatic and buy what's best. My 110hp 1997 Harley is testimony to that.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 166
Likes: 33
From: Connecticut, USA
I tried the Bilstein website and could not find my old shock # 22052460 (stamped on the shock) or the GM p/n for it (22046477 FG3 & FE7 RPO's). All of this was using just the front as an example. I don't know if they will rebuild this old of a shock but other sites that rebuild Bilsteins might. Be ready to bleed after paying the bill.
From what I can see Bilsteins are around 100 bucks a piece new and KYB's are 31. Do you track the car or run it extremely aggressive ??? You may also wish to research Bilstein quality in the past few years.
.
.
From what I can see Bilsteins are around 100 bucks a piece new and KYB's are 31. Do you track the car or run it extremely aggressive ??? You may also wish to research Bilstein quality in the past few years.
.
.
It's disappointing to discover those exact shocks are no longer available and Bilstein won't rebuild them.
Might just get some KYB s and paint them yellow 😆
Pro
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 528
Likes: 274
From: Marysville WA
When I bought my '84 Z51 last July it had KYB that the PO had recently installed. I felt that the rebound of the rear shocks felt too "bouncy" so I Installed new Z51 specific B8 Bilsteins and since the Z51 front shocks aren't available any more I put B6 in the front. Now the rear rebound feels great but the front is a little "floaty" (if that is a word). The PO thinks he has the old OEM's but can't find them. Hearing that a rebuild service may or may not be available is discouraging. I may re-install the front KYB and see if that feels better.
I have read that the Z51 rear shocks had much less compression resistance (jounce?) but much more rebound resistance, due to the stiffness of the spring, which sort of acted like its own shock when it was compressed.
I have read that the Z51 rear shocks had much less compression resistance (jounce?) but much more rebound resistance, due to the stiffness of the spring, which sort of acted like its own shock when it was compressed.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 166
Likes: 33
From: Connecticut, USA
Not too excited about $400+ for Bilsteins when I can have KYB Gas-Adjusts for $200.
I will let it sit for the winter and make my decision in the spring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
If the choice is between Bilsteins or KYBs.
My choice is the Bilsteins. I have Bilstein B8s on my '95 and I have KYBs on my '96.
Even with the Z51 shocks on my base '95, the ride is firm, but not harsh. It works very well.
The KYBs on my '96 are much softer. The car rides smoother, but the feel isn't the same. More like a Monte Carlo ride than a sports car.
So the question is what are you looking for with a shock change? If it is better handling and a sports car feel then it is the Bilsteins. If it is a smoother ride, then it is the KYBs.
Good luck.
My choice is the Bilsteins. I have Bilstein B8s on my '95 and I have KYBs on my '96.
Even with the Z51 shocks on my base '95, the ride is firm, but not harsh. It works very well.
The KYBs on my '96 are much softer. The car rides smoother, but the feel isn't the same. More like a Monte Carlo ride than a sports car.
So the question is what are you looking for with a shock change? If it is better handling and a sports car feel then it is the Bilsteins. If it is a smoother ride, then it is the KYBs.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 166
Likes: 33
From: Connecticut, USA
[QUOTE=QCVette;1608359984] I have KYBs on my '96./QUOTE]
Which KYBs? Gas-Adjust or Exel-G?
The Gas-Adjust are supposed to be firmer. That's what I'm looking for but I don't want them to be bone-jarring harsh.
Which KYBs? Gas-Adjust or Exel-G?
The Gas-Adjust are supposed to be firmer. That's what I'm looking for but I don't want them to be bone-jarring harsh.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
[QUOTE=spaceweasel;1608360037]
I have the car put up for the winter, but I think they are the Gas-Adjust shocks.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 166
Likes: 33
From: Connecticut, USA
Gas-Adjusts, I presume. Are they stiff enough to give you good handling when the need arises?