not so impressed with bilstein shocks

[smo0othride]

I got some new bilstein gas shocks, and paid about $500 for parts and installation. They definitely reduce body roll a lot, but my completely blown stock shocks took bumps and dips way better. Whenever I hit a hard dip, it feels bouncy and out of control, instead of just absorbing it(I'm using stock spring, stock height). Therefore, if I'm trying to go around a corner that has a dip, I actually have to take it slower then with the stock shocks.
I was going to get the Rancho RSX5000's, but I was talked out of it by the guy at the shop.


On a side note... why aren't more people working on their expeditions suspension? Why add more power if you cant even take a turn with the power you have? I asked the old mod to get this suspension section put in, and nobody is even using it.

 

[ELVATO]

I've contemplated either thicker anti-roll bars or lowering it with a lowering kit. Granted the handling isn't too bad on these

 

[GRIP]

shocks only control how the spring rebounds and recoils.if you want less body roll and better handling you must change the spring to a heavyer spring and go with thicker sway bars.

 

[smo0othride]

I don't want to lower my expedition at all, and as far as I know there are no springs that have higher spring rates and don't lower it any. I'm saving up for some sway bars also. I've found upgrades for both front and rear.

 

[Stoned06]

I believe most Bilsteins are more of a performance shock so a stiffer ride would be expected in most applications. They are great shocks though, and I would choose them over most brands on cars or trucks with performance in mind. I have had them on previous BMW's and my Harley F150 and loved them.

 

[smo0othride]

The bilsteins must just be bouncy when they are new because after a few months I didn't notice the bouncing anymore when hitting dips. Although, I know have one leaking and even though it has a lifetime warranty I'm still mad that I have to go through the warranty process. Also, just because a shock has a lifetime warranty, does that mean it can still wear out? How long should these bilsteins last?

 

[tommyh]

bilsteins

I'm interested in hearing more about your Bilstein story. I have a 2003 EB Expedition with 127k miles on the original struts/shocks and I am also considering Bilstein because of my previous BMW's with that strut. I was hoping for a better handling SUV. What is your conclusion? Did you end up having to replace a strut for leakage? I was told when I bought my truck in 2003 that this "new" setup, (at the time), was more of a European suspension with coil springs and Sachs struts and shocks. Perhaps I should just get the original Sachs/Ford OEM struts/shocks...

Do you remember how much it cost to install the front and rears?

Any other suggestions for shocks?

- tom

 

[Stoned06]

I recently replaced my shocks with Bilsteins and love them. My stocks were pushed to 70K and were totally shot as I had no problem compressing them by hand. I'm now at 75k with the Bilsteins and love them. They will not totally absorb the bumps (think numb response), but they give good feedback and handle the larger bumps with ease and no steering wheel shake. I purchased at allshocks.com and paid about $350 shipped for all 4. Unless you plan on removing tie rods, sway bar ends and control arms, don't do it yourself. Being this was the first time I tackled anything on this suspension, I was surprised how tight everything was in there. I wasn't expecting having to dismantle the suspension to install new shocks. But the worst part was removing the top shock rod nut as the threads of the stock shock were very corroded. Even after cleaning the threads and applying liberal amount of WD40 I actually had to cut off the nut on one of them. In hindsight, I would gladly pay another $100-150 to have them installed.

 

[GAINMOB]

i'll have some when i do the conversion...just trying to decided if i want the conversion with the 2" drop or not...

 

[GAINMOB]

$500 for conversion...or $1k for conversion with 2" drop...is the drop really worth it???

 

[Thermo]

I do a lot of suspension work on Expy's and whatnot. But then, I am part of a select few that have lifted their trucks. I personally love my Rancho RS5000's. But then, I also expect my truck to lean a little in corners due to the lift and big tires. So, I might be a little biased there. I didn't buy the truck to take corners at 50 mph (that is what my Jag is for).

 

[masterhacker]

My buddy has a 04 durango that he lowered, installed super stiiff shocks, and some wide tires, that is a good suv to lower. I think a lowered expy would be no good

 

[ZombieSoldier]

you actually are not impressed by the bilsteins? then you would HATE rancho's. Ranchos are garbage shocks. they are just white tube shocks.. in other words they are a typical generic shock built by someone else with a rancho label on them. dont believe me? google it..I have the Bilstein 5100's on my superduty and they ride like a dream and soak up every dirt washboard trail i can throw at them!

 

[midsouthduck]

I got some a few months back for my '03 4x4 FX4 w/about 120k mi. I also replaced all four shock mounts with Ford shock mounts. The 'steins did seem a bit bouncy at first, but my ride quality was back. I'm pretty happy with them.

 

[colemanwhite123]

I certainly was impressed with the bilstein build quality. The yellow paint is looking pretty crappy now. I can see myself repainting them at some point.