Bilstein shock help

[tractorface]

When I originally installed my Bilstein shocks the truck rode great. Since that time the ride has been getting progessively worse until I had to figure out what the &^%$ was wrong. Here's the deal the rubber grommets on top of the (front) shock towers have been destroyed. Not sure if I overtightened or maybe under tightened on initial install. I think I under tightened them but would like to know the cause for this problem. Need to replace the grommets anyone know where to buy them? Do they make poly grommets instead. ? How can I avoid this problem in the future?

Thanks in advance

 

[TowPro]

Pep Boys in the section where the stock the blister packs marked "help"



Or a speed shop, they might have those hard poly ones.

 

[AggieJustin]

I had the same problem with the rubber grommets on my buddy's '99. We put the Bilsteins on it last year when the group purchase was running. Lately he said it sounded like the driver's front was rattling around. When I got in there to look at it, the top half of the grommet was completely destroyed. The bottom part that I took out was flaking pretty bad too. I checked the passenger side and it was on it's way out as well, just not as bad yet. Not sure what the problem was... . almost seems like the rubber was just falling apart on them.



Luckily for him I had the set of OEM grommets from my truck since I put the Rancho's on.



Anyone else had trouble with these grommets breaking down?



JM

 

[Rogue Ram]

YES

I just found the same problem!!! If anyone has ideas, I am all ears!!!



Rogue

 

[Little Bill]

I used the OEM grommets from the stock shocks as the ones supplied by Bilstein appeared to be for a different application. That was 1 year ago and no problems so far.

 

[tractorface]

repair update

I purchased a set of OEM bushings from the dealer. Problem is they all say LOWER on them. Dealer had no clue. I ended up modifying some old bushings from a different application to use as UPPER bushings. I am trying to find the correct set of bushings to have on hand as I don't think my rigged set will last very long. Anyone have a picture of the correct bushings. The hole in the shock tower is 1" so I think I'll look on the net and try and find suitable replacements. Oh Yeah, truck rides great on the temporary set I installed this weekend. Sorry to hear of problems on other guys trucks but at least we are not alone.

 

[Rogue Ram]

Bilstein is calling me back in an hour about this. The fellow was inquiring if we had a metal sleeve that sits inside the rubber grommett on top of the shock tower. Didn't make a lot of sense, since the grommett sits IN the shock tower hole, as opposed to on the outside. Hmmmm They are very helpful and I am sure we will hear something shortly. Will keep yall updated.



R

 

[tractorface]

metal sleeves

Yes I had a metal sleeve inside the lower bushing. The OEM's do not. I pulled the metal sleeve out of the old lowers and installed it into the OEM lowers. BTW the OEM lowers and the Bilstein lower bushings are very similar. Can't speak to the upper bushing because I forgot what they are supposed to look like. Wonder if Bilstein offers a poly bushing. Checked with Energy suspension and they have no poly shock bushings for our Rams. I think a firmer bushing would take the last little bumpity bump out when braking under load.

 

[WOT]

I kinda thought the same thing when I installed the Bilstein's on mine. The bushings sure seemed lame for all the hipe about the shock quality. That was 1 1/2 years ago - haven't looked at them since. I guess I will tomorrow. Definately fill us in on what they have to say - would love to get some poly's if someone made some that fit.

 

[Cooker]

Rogue Ram.

Did you hear back from Bilstein?

 

[Rogue Ram]

Nope, I sure didn't.......

... ... Mr. Bilstein was supposed to call me back this morning in an hour, after he had come up with the exact instructions on mounting the front shocks, and what pieces are involved. I'll be calling him tomorrow EARLY, as I am headed to the stealer for a leaking transfer case and am having the stealer look at those rubber grommets. If thats covered by my Chrysler Care whatever its called, I'll pay the $ deductible and have them replace them.



I'll advise when I find out something, most likely tomorrow night after work. If I can borrow a digital camera, and someone can help out with instructions, I'll post pics too.



Rogue



* * *



I would respectfully request you avoid the generic reference, "stealer. " Please feel free to post experiences - good or bad - in detail.



Thank you.



Robin

TDR Admin

 

[Hunter11]

My uppers fell apart about 4 month's ago. I put the OEM's back on because that was all I had and they are working great. I am not going to mess with them unless someone comes up with something better.

 

[tractorface]

I wish I had not thrown mine away. Just ordered some poly bushings. Not the same as the OEM's but I'll let you know how they go when I get em. Not messing with my modified set until a problem develops. Do the OEM's look like the one's that come with the Bilsteins?

 

[desert_thunder]

I had the same problem. Mine only lasted 4 weeks. Yes, I installed the metal sleeve. I saved my old ones and used then fot the time being.







97, 2500, 4x4, SLT, 3. 54, 12v, X Cab, TST # 5 plate, PDR 3k Gov. Sp, AFe Magnum Force, BD torque converter. BD valve body, BD ex brake, Mag-pan, KDP Replaced, Banks Stinger Plus System, Gauges (EGT, Boost, & Trans Temp), 3. 5” exhaust

 

[Rogue Ram]

Say what?

A couple of things, starting with the truck issues.



First, this turned into the dealership vs. Bilstein. The dealer says there is no way these shocks will work on the truck. ??? Bilstein checked and rechecked the truck and the model shocks that I put on... ... ... BE-2549-HO are appropriate front shocks for Ram 3/4 Ton quad cab fourwheel drive diesels; BE 2550-HO are appropriate for rear shocks for the same application. I do note that here and on the receipt for the shocks that these work on 1 tons as well.



The dealer then said they will not honor any warranty or service contract or anything else they are obligated to honor because an aftermarket product (namely, the shocks) was installed. Therefore, they will not replace the OEM deteriorated rubber grommet/boots.



Bilstein says the shock mounting hardware from the FACTORY should include a steel sleeve inside the rubber boot, and that the washer the retaining nut tightens against squeezes down onto the sleeve with the rubber grommet on the outside around it all. Well... ..... I didn't see a steel sleeve that slides down on the threaded shock bolt... ... . and I didn't get anything out of the dealer that there was ever supposed to be one. Bilstein says YES there is supposed to be one, that without it, your retaining washer would tighten against the rubber boot down onto the tower and ruin the boot. So, my contention is that there never was a sleeve... . I never saw one before.



I have to call Bilstein back, they are going to ship me new grommet/boots and steel sleeves. I will post as to what this costs and what they look like when I have the info.



Bilstein has been great, they called the dealership on my behalf and fought the battle..... which is nice for a change.



Regarding the comment from the Administrator, sorry. Didn't know we had gotten to this level of political correctness.



I will say that I go as far back as the old CDW days under another handle... and that the reason behind the political correctness and publication of last names awhile back are now pretty obvious.



Regards,



"R"

 

[Cooker]

I don't remember there being a sleeve on the upper mount of the stock shocks???? Did I forget, which is entirely possible

 

[tractorface]

sleeves

99% sure mine only had steel sleeves on the lowers. Makes sense needing them on both.



I can just hear some idiot saying "No way Bilstein shocks will work on these trucks". That fool probably recommends that you bounce up and down on the highway while hauling your trailer... . no wait I can here him now "You really should not haul anything other than your lunch in that truck".

Thanks for the report.

 

[Rogue Ram]

CHECK THIS OUT........

Now here's customer service: Mr. Bilstein calls me this morning and tells me he is shipping me grommets/boots and the steel sleeves, NO CHARGE.



I am thinking that is the good news. The bad news is that while the passenger side will be a piece of cake, the driver's side, well, I may be in the garage awhile.



The moral of the story for those in the future that may read this is that when you change your front shocks, you need to see if you have steel sleeves that slide down over the threaded bolt that sticks up out of the top of the front shocks... ... . shock, big washer, rubber grommet/boot thru tower, sleeve inside of this boot, big washer, retaining nut. If your rubber boot is falling apart, REPLACE IT NOW, don't wait.



OK, I'm done.



Good luck!



R

 

[Bud Fox]

i just checked mine and i have the same problem as you guys. My shocks are not even a year old and I got mine on the group purchase also. I do not have a steel sleeve either on mine



What is going on here with all these missing parts for all these shocks?? Are we gonna get replacements as a group or do we have to call individually?? Can i get the number if you get a chance??



Thanks

 

[Idaho Native]

No sleeves here

Same sleeveless story here... just installed the Bilstein's 7 days ago. Got them from ORW... nothing in the boxes indicated that I was missing any parts at all. Also standing by for a number to call Bilstein or ORW with to get the correct hardware!