[s-cars] Blowing Bilsteins

Sun Jan 25 17:00:48 EST 2004

I beat the bejesus out of my Bilsteins (45k miles on them) for two hard days
in a few weeks ago when the ambient temp started out at -24F and never made
it to above -5F for both days.  When I say I beat the bejesus out of them,
let's just say that I tested full compression and complete unloading over
snow-packed, ice covered dirt roads throughout a private rally facility.

A bilstein has never failed me in over 14 years of running them.  I have
replaced several sets of Koni's, though, due to seal failure in the cold.

-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com]On Behalf Of Darin Nederhoff
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2004 12:32 PM
To: 'Fred Munro'; 'Aaron'; 'Rich Assarabowski'; 'Audi - Scars'
Subject: RE: [s-cars] Blowing Bilsteins

Really?  I've heard of more toasted Konis over the years than Bilsteins.
Go figure.  :-)

Darin Nederhoff
S-CARS.ORG
Woodbury, MN

-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Fred Munro
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2004 11:26 AM
To: Aaron; Rich Assarabowski; Audi - Scars
Subject: RE: [s-cars] Blowing Bilsteins

Aaron;

I have seen perhaps 6 or 7 posts about blown or seized (frozen) Bilsteins
over the past 4 years or so. No comments of that nature on Konis or Boges.

Fred Munro
'94 S4

-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com]On Behalf Of Aaron
Sent: January 25, 2004 10:14 AM
To: Rich Assarabowski; Audi - Scars
Subject: Re: [s-cars] Blowing Bilsteins

Hi Rich,
I developed my first clunk a few months after the shock install.  The
clung was on compression over sharp edged bumps and was very annoying.
 That time the drivers side was obviously blown as it was spewing oil.
 Now 9 mos later it is on the pass side.  Similar sounding clunk, first
only on big hits and now on smaller hits.  Looking at the shock shafts
it appears it is "jammed" and only moving about 1/2 as far as the shock
on the other side(11/2" vs about 3"). No oil this time.
My suspension is otherwise stock Avant.
Honestly I have not been thrilled with the performance of the Bilsteins.
 Has always seemed unduly harsh even when new.  Firm is one thing, harsh
is another.
Is your suspension stock?  What p/n's are you using?
Aaron

Rich Assarabowski wrote:

>Aaron:
>
>I'm very interested in your experience, as I put Bilstein HD's on my 93
>last summer and for the last several months have developing a clunk in
>the front end.  What puzzles me is that everything in the front end
>(control arms, strut mounts, strut bearings, tie rod ends, sway bar
>bushings, strut bearings) was replaced with new components and was
>properly torqued.  Steering rack seems tight, no obvious looseness.
>There was no problem for the first 6 months or so.  Problem occurs when
>taking sharp bumps (e.g. potholes), most of the time it's OK, it's a
>sharp thump, almost a click, like metal against metal.  I don't see any
>obvious oil leakage from the strut, but haven't really looked that
>carefully, it didn't occur to me it might be a bad strut until your
>posting.
>
>What exactly were the symptoms of yours, what type of clunk?  How did
>you confirm it was the strut (by removng it?).
>
>Thanks, look forward to your comments!
>
>-- Rich
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
>[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Aaron
>Sent: Friday, January 23, 2004 8:03 PM
>To: Audi - Scars
>Subject: [s-cars] Blowing Bilsteins
>
>
>Im curious if any of you have had poor luck with your Bilstein HD's.
>Today I confirmed the annoying clunk on the RF was another blown shock.
>
>That's 2 front shocks in 9 months.
>First one spewed oil and was catastrophic failure.  2nd one has limited
>stroke and a bad clunk.
>Man am I glad I bought them from the local tire store.  Pd a few extra
>clams up front but the lifetime replacement comes in handy!
>Car is stock.  Local roads are not all that bad.
>Others?
>Aaron T
>
>
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>S-CAR-List at audifans.com
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>
>
>

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