Bilstein Front Shock Thud

[JohnnieWinona]

I installed a set of Bilstein shocks. The rears are fine, but the front shocks have a thud over bumps. Since I am on washboard dirt road almost every day, the front end now sounds as if it is loose and not confidence inspiring.



The dealer that I bought the shocks from, Rickson, said to use only the rubber grommet, retainer, and locknut that came on the shocks. I tightened to 35lbs as stated in truck manual. I've checked and rechecked all the mounting bolts, I've tightened the top lock nut on the shock as tight as I can get it w/o using a cheater. I noticed today that there is black rubber dust as well as small rubber pieces around the shock tower. Has anybody in truckland run into the same problem?

Thanks

 

[Bob Wagner]

did you get the Heavy Duty shocks?

Post your part numbersfor the shocks



My HD shocks are rock solid



There are 2 version's of the Bilsteins for the Ram

 

[JohnnieWinona]

Bob, I checked the #s and they are correct.

But I concluded that the thud seems to be most noticable on the right side, hence I took that shock tower off and found that somehow the grommet was wedged in the hole askew. It might have worked its way over when I installed the top nut per Rancho instruction, (just until the metal washer is snug), later I torqued to spec. Anyway, the grommet is pretty trashed, I'll see if Bilstein might replace it. I just took the rig up the road a spell, and it didn't seem to thud much, maybe not at all, I am probably still hearing the past month of thuds.

thanks

JohnnieWinona

 

[jsimpson]

Yeah; it's kinda hard to tell if you've got the little extrusion centered in the shock tower hole when you're installing them. Helps to have upward pressure on them while you install the nut!

 

[Bud Fox]

click here I just had the same problem- the grommet needs to be pushed up into the tower 1/2 way. HTH

 

[JohnnieWinona]

I called Heather (a shock tech) at Bilstein in CA. She said tighten to 19#, but if you could go up to 35# if you need to. Bud is right about pushing the grommet as far into the shock tower as possible, half way would be grand. Don't replace the Bilstein grommet with dodge, and yes they have hard of the problem. Grommets bushings are not covered under warranty!--$6. 50 per side.



Thanks again

 

[R D Brown]

I just installed the Bilstein shocks in my 98. 5 2wd, one ton. They were the right part number shocks, however the top end rubber bushings do not fit into the hole. The hole dia is . 72 in and the reduced od of the bushing is . 78 in. I also called the Bilstein people in Ca. and Kent told me I wasn't supposed to use the rubber bushings that came with the shocks, but to use the OEM bushings. I ask him why they put the bushings in the package, he didn't have an answer. He did say he would check out what I had seen. Anyway it sounds like Bilstein needs to supply the right sized bushings and the thump will go away.

 

[Paul Primeaux]

Bilstein Part Numbers

Does anyone know what are the bilstein part numberrs are for a 98. 5 2wd 2500? What about a phone number for Bilstein? Thanks

 

[jsimpson]

I had no problems installing them with Bilstein's bushings in my 94. Maybe Bilstein is unaware of a production change in hole size?

 

[JohnnieWinona]

The Bilstein CA # 800. 537 1085

Let me know what they say, cause I was told just the opposite about OM bushings from what RD Brown was advised.

JwR

 

[Bob Wagner]

my 2001 Bilstein installation was easy



Call 1 800 341 7757 for the TDR Bilstein special



PN's are BE5-2550 and BE5-2549



**Bilstein will not sell direct to Customers***

 

[JohnnieWinona]

Thud no more.

I just installed a new grommet and retainer from Bilstein. I used a fair amount of silicone around the edge of the hole in the shock tower, as well as the cone shape of rubber that seats in it, then carefully pushed it into the tower, using a jack to lift the wheel forcing it further, measuring side to side, and finally tightening the retainer until it is just flush with the tower and snug. The old grommet was ground down and broken, either it was not centered, or somehow not seated. Perfecto. Thanks for all the help, and thanks to bilstein for sending a new grommet.



While changing the filter in the trany, I installed a new D-B gasket which is pretty cool, and reusable. Much like the "O'ring type of seal in Mag-Hytec... check it out, lots-o-better then the old cork/composite.