Bilstein Shock issues?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 343
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Bilstein Shock issues?
My car had recently developed a clinking sound (like when a chain hits the pavement at speed) when ever I would hit a bump. I put the car in the air, took the front wheels off and this is what I found:
The rubber piece in the third picture fell out when I lifted the boot. It was only half of the part, I guess the other half fell out on the road. When that washer drops onto the top of the shock, that is the exact sound I was hearing. These are pictures of the driver's side, the passenger's side looks the same, accept it has some grease on it.
I am pretty far from knowledgeable on shocks and I have no idea what to make of this. Other than an annoying sound, is this going to cause an issue? Is there any way to fix this or will I need to replace the shocks? What would cause this to happen and how can I stop it?
Thanks for the help.
The rubber piece in the third picture fell out when I lifted the boot. It was only half of the part, I guess the other half fell out on the road. When that washer drops onto the top of the shock, that is the exact sound I was hearing. These are pictures of the driver's side, the passenger's side looks the same, accept it has some grease on it.
I am pretty far from knowledgeable on shocks and I have no idea what to make of this. Other than an annoying sound, is this going to cause an issue? Is there any way to fix this or will I need to replace the shocks? What would cause this to happen and how can I stop it?
Thanks for the help.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I guess from the standpoint of it is all parts put together, it is repairable to the extent that it is taken apart and new parts added. But.... When did you put those on, and were you the one to put it on or a shop?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 343
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
They were on the car when I purchased it and it is lowered. I am not sure how it was lowered (if there are more ways than one) and how to check how far down it is. When I have parked next to other C6s, it doesn't seem that much lower, maybe an inch at most. I shall start searching for threads on lowering the car.
The guy I purchased the car from is a forum member, so he may have purchased them from a forum vendor, but the Bilstein warranty states that it is only covers the original purchaser.
Here is the best picture I could find of wheel well height and ground clearance. The bumper is obviously after market, but you can see how high the frame is off the ground.
The guy I purchased the car from is a forum member, so he may have purchased them from a forum vendor, but the Bilstein warranty states that it is only covers the original purchaser.
Here is the best picture I could find of wheel well height and ground clearance. The bumper is obviously after market, but you can see how high the frame is off the ground.
Last edited by Firewater Burns; Jun 3, 2013 at 01:10 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
It would be hard to complain to Bilstein when the shock was put onto a modified suspension... after all, they designed the shock for the stock height C6. I would first check on the other side of the car..see if it is OK. Then just buy a new one or two if needed. They are not expensive...maybe $75 each. Then raise the car back up to normal.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I would agree w. both above posts. I would also suggest you find/do yourself the favor of looking up the procedure for taking weight off the lowering bolts so that the car can be lifted; otherwise it takes a lot more effort. One other thing to note is to do it carefully since the lowering bolts are integral to the springs, front and rear. That means if something happens to them, they are not individually replaceable.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 343
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Thanks for all the replies, I looked up how to raise the car in the old FAQ. Most of the pics are dead in the old thread, but I think I get the jist of it. I have a bottle jack that should work for putting pressure on the spring. Now I need to find 2 grand laying around so I can put some coilovers on, just in case a rash of rally racing breaks out!
I would also agree with it not being Bilstein's fault if they were designed to go with a stock ride height, until I read the description for the B8.
I guess you need to have special lowering springs, not just turning your bolts? 
If the only issue is the bumb stops were broke and the dust covers are worn, wouldn't new bump stops and dust covers fix the problem?
Something like this:
I would also agree with it not being Bilstein's fault if they were designed to go with a stock ride height, until I read the description for the B8.
Bilstein B8 Sport mono tube shocks and struts deliver absolute mastery of the road surface for the performance-minded driver. Designed to push a car s suspension to its performance peak,these shocks are specifically suited for use with special lowering springs in combination with anti-sway bars or other suspension upgrades.
If the only issue is the bumb stops were broke and the dust covers are worn, wouldn't new bump stops and dust covers fix the problem?
Something like this:
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
I'd say that shock was blown causing it to hit the bumpstop with tremendous force, pushing it out the dust boot like that. I wouldn't say that the lowering had anything to do with, because these shocks are designed to run on a lowered car (and yours doesn't look that low). Perhaps some harsh bumps in the road, or just plain shock failure. Time for a new set anyways...right.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
if you're adventurous, there used to be a guy who gave seminars and tours of bilstein in san diego (poway). here's their number. see if you can find a tech person to give you some advice on rebuilding them.
http://www.bing.com/local/details.as...iego&FORM=LARE
http://www.bing.com/local/details.as...iego&FORM=LARE
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Is the B8 the one that is on the car? From the picture, it looks like the bumper just got squeezed so much that it split the dust cover from the inside. I don't think this would happen from hitting one hard bump but from repetition over a period of time. The reason that Bilstein mentions special lowering springs is because most cars do not have a suspension that can be adjusted higher or lower....requiring replacing the springs to lower it. I would call Bilstein and see if the bumper and dust cover can be replaced separately, but you may start getting close to the cost of a new one by the time you are done. Also be sure to look at the other side...there's really no reason to think that this would only happen on one side of the car. The other side may not be as bad, but you may see the beginnings of the same problem.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 343
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
The part number on the shocks are F4-BE5-2977-H0, this looks to be the old part # for the B8, the new one ends with H1.
Both sides have the same issue. The passenger side bump stop has flown the coop but there is enough grease on the shock to keep the washer from clinking (or I am hearing both when I hit a bump). The only time I remember bottoming out was when my car was overloaded when I moved up to Dallas.
Cheapest price I can find on shocks locally is 100 bucks each. The Bump stops are 20 for a set, also local. If the actual shocks are failing, then I will have to go with new shocks.
I have an aversion to spending money. I know your asking yourself, "then why on earth would you buy a vette?" Well, it's purdy and goes fast!
Both sides have the same issue. The passenger side bump stop has flown the coop but there is enough grease on the shock to keep the washer from clinking (or I am hearing both when I hit a bump). The only time I remember bottoming out was when my car was overloaded when I moved up to Dallas.
Cheapest price I can find on shocks locally is 100 bucks each. The Bump stops are 20 for a set, also local. If the actual shocks are failing, then I will have to go with new shocks.
I have an aversion to spending money. I know your asking yourself, "then why on earth would you buy a vette?" Well, it's purdy and goes fast!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Also because the Corvette has to be the least expensive sports car overall that can run at its' performance level. To save money, the dust cover can just be wrapped with some good tape to repair it...and you can buy some new bumpers. Then get the car raised back up to normal to avoid future problems.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 343
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
I wish I had an old Ford to patch up; an old Ford with a GT for its name. Although a new Ford with a GT for its name would work too!
To my surprise, both halves of the bump stop were still in the dust cover. I somehow missed them when I squeezed the dust cover when it was on the car. So here are a few pics if anyone is interested. One thing did seem strange; the top hole on the bump stop is smaller than the bottom and is too small for the shaft of the shock.
To my surprise, both halves of the bump stop were still in the dust cover. I somehow missed them when I squeezed the dust cover when it was on the car. So here are a few pics if anyone is interested. One thing did seem strange; the top hole on the bump stop is smaller than the bottom and is too small for the shaft of the shock.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,615
Likes: 13
From: Burlington NC
Well I don't have a dog in this race. But I know the Bilstein lineup very well. So I can help in many ways.
1st, there is no shock damage, you can compress a shock to the c-clip without any mechanical stop. (what doesn't move breaks)
2nd, The part numbers changed about 2 years ago. From memory the difference between H-0 and H-1 is the plant they were built in. Or something not really important like that. You have a set of Bilstein sports.
3rd, Ramone is the go to guy at the Poway location.
4th, I have a couple bump stops and a dust boot around here that I can send out in a care package. Just send a PM with your address and its done!
5th, It looks like it split at the parting line in the bump stop. Rare case, install new parts and enjoy!
Randy
1st, there is no shock damage, you can compress a shock to the c-clip without any mechanical stop. (what doesn't move breaks)
2nd, The part numbers changed about 2 years ago. From memory the difference between H-0 and H-1 is the plant they were built in. Or something not really important like that. You have a set of Bilstein sports.
3rd, Ramone is the go to guy at the Poway location.
4th, I have a couple bump stops and a dust boot around here that I can send out in a care package. Just send a PM with your address and its done!
5th, It looks like it split at the parting line in the bump stop. Rare case, install new parts and enjoy!
Randy