Tried to call Bilstein, couldnt get anyone, i will ask you guys

[L98corvette]

Hey guys, i couldnt get anything but recordings at Bilstein when i called, so i figured i would ask you guys. I have a 91 Corvette witht he FE1 suspension on it and im trying to find out how long a set of Bilstein shocks are supposed to last. My car has 82,000 mi on and it rides pretty good, but im curious how long Bilstein intended these shocks to last when they were installed at the factory. Do you guys know?

 

[vette-dude]

Hey guys, i couldnt get anything but recordings at Bilstein when i called, so i figured i would ask you guys. I have a 91 Corvette witht he FE1 suspension on it and im trying to find out how long a set of Bilstein shocks are supposed to last. My car has 82,000 mi on and it rides pretty good, but im curious how long Bilstein intended these shocks to last when they were installed at the factory. Do you guys know?

That's kinda like asking "How long will I live?" There is no way of knowing how long the shock will last as it would depend on the condition it is used in, the environment, the forces applied to it, and how well maintained are the other suspension components. Too many variables to get really definitive. Mine have 76K on them and they could go tomorrow or go another 100K.

Randy

 

[tigmaned]

my 1986 vette has 85K on her, andi did the KYB shock change. the front bilsteins could be moved in and out by hand after i got them off, and one back one when pushed in stuck there, the other just limped out some. my vette stands a little higher now, heck my floor jack goes under with out me kind of lifting the cside by hand. i even changed the hood shocks too, now i don't have to be Arnold to lift the hood. nothing lasts for ever, but if your ride is o.k. then maybe your bilsteins are too?? have you compared rides in other C4. some thing i haven't done. my ride was just to jitteray on and roads, and at take offs back end just went down, but no more.

 

[Edmond]

That's kinda like asking "How long will I live?"

Randy, that is a good one. :L:L:L I'll have to remember that!

 

[Tuna]

I kept my Bilstein FX3 shocks on for 100k miles before replacing them. It was only after replacing them that I realized that the original shocks were getting pretty worn.

 

[RoadReady]

The shocks on the C4 I had did not seem bad, but the ride had deteriorated at 70K. I put new Bilsteins on and the ride improved dramatically. The old "push down and see if it continues to bounce" shock test apparently doesn't work with the stiff suspension/shocks.

 

[Edmond]

Doesn't Bilstein offer a service to rebuild the shocks? If I recall correctly, it was almost 75% of the cost of buying new shocks.

 

[nyernga]

Doesn't Bilstein offer a service to rebuild the shocks? If I recall correctly, it was almost 75% of the cost of buying new shocks.

I recall reading the same thing Edmond but if he can't even get through to them, I'd just wait. I changed mine out at 98K and noticed an immediate improvement.

Len

 

[tlong]

"That's just one less thing to worry about" F.G.

Changed the Bilsteins out at 45k. Big difference.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

When I called Bilstein (twice) about the FX3 shocks I didn't get a response, either, and I even contacted and left a voice message or two with a guy who had been recommended as the technical expert to contact by a writer of technical articles who contributes to this forum (I just didn't leave messages with the receptionist). Others apparently have been able to get through to them. Frankly, I think Bilstein is largely trading off a reputation they got years ago (whether it was deserved or not), are over-priced, and I would use this as an opportunity to contact other manufacturers about their own products. If the Bilstein guy finally decides to return your call, please tell him that his attitude about answering the phone has lost Bilstein business (perhaps he doesn't care).

/s/ Chris Kennedy

 

[Edmond]

Frankly, I think Bilstein is largely trading off a reputation they got years ago (whether it was deserved or not), are over-priced, and I would use this as an opportunity to contact other manufacturers about their own products. If the Bilstein guy finally decides to return your call, please tell him that his attitude about answering the phone has lost Bilstein business (perhaps he doesn't care).

/s/ Chris Kennedy

Chris,

I feel the same way about "established" companies such as Goodyear and State Farm. They built their reputation years ago and, IMO, they've been surpassed in quality of product and customer service.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

For the person who posted this thread, I would check around on the internet and contact companies such as Tokico, KYB, Gabriel (yes, Gabriel), and also contact T.P.I.S., among others (they make a revalved shock that I have on my car and I like it a great deal---it's sold through MidAmerica and Corvette Central, I believe---solid flat ride [not floaty or harsh] at a great price). Unless Bilstein returns your call very soon simply don't waste your time dealing with them anymore. One of the great things about the automotive aftermarket today is that new providers of goods and services are comming onto the market, and finding out about them is easier than ever. If you are a bit of a gambler on a new product and don't mind having to explain your decisions to go against the "established products" when dealing with others, you can often make yourself a lot happier by getting a product YOU like at a reasonable price. What's really great is that often you pioneer a new product, others try it, and find they prefer it, too. It's that way with tires, for example, and I have watched as Kumho is starting to make real inroads into the high performance market in this country after the initial snickering about the name and the fact that they were Korean.

/s/ Chris Kennedy

 

[L98corvette]

Chris and everyone else who has replied, thanks for the responses. I will continue to do some more research on shocks and study some of these things so i end up getting what i think is best, im not in dire need of them right now but i would like to eventually change them out. As far as bilstein goes, i have always liked them, but i dont know whats up with the service, i cant even find an email address. And i dont understand no one manning the phones, they tell you to press 0 for the customer service desk and you even get a recording there. Thanks again for the replys. Have a good weekend everyone.

 

[tlong]

Shox.com $289 Bilsteins if you wanna stay stock or even go with Z51 valving.

 

[Edmond]

This is a very reputable dealer and a supporting vendor:

http://www.vbandp.com/

I've ordered bushings from them before, fast shipping and good customer service. They were offering a discount to forum members but I don't know if that's still going or not.

 

[slapshot]

Other than Bilstein, are there any alternatives for FX3 compatible shocks???? The FX3's from Bilstein are quite pricey, it makes me wonder is the 3 way setting worth it, or just go with a standard shock??????

 

[Achilles]

This is a very reputable dealer and a supporting vendor:

http://www.vbandp.com/

I've ordered bushings from them before, fast shipping and good customer service. They were offering a discount to forum members but I don't know if that's still going or not.

These people are excellent to work with. Fast and courteous service.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Other than Bilstein, are there any alternatives for FX3 compatible shocks???? The FX3's from Bilstein are quite pricey, it makes me wonder is the 3 way setting worth it, or just go with a standard shock??????

I originally contacted Bilstein to inquire about parts prices and availability before I got my '89 Ebay rat with the FX3 shocks (the system uses individual adjusters, a computer etc.). The fact that they didn't reply hardly increased my confidence factor, so when I got the rat (with very weak shocks, but everything otherwise working on the system), I simply decided to swap out the shocks for others. Fortunately, the FX3 system is something that you can easily disconnect and go with normal shocks. Also, doing this gave me the opportunity to see how the standard car performed. At some point I may experiment with the FX3 system, but from what I've read both at the time it came out and now, apparently the settings are either too soft or way too hard, even though each individual setting has a range around which the shock will adjust based on speed, road conditions, etc. The hard setting may work at the track, but you could simply just get standard heavy duty shocks and accomplish much the same thing. By 1989, GM really had the FX3-less Corvette suspension extremely well set up, both for street and track. The car does not float, is taut to firm, yet is not so firm that it skitters across broken pavement. On balance, given the high price of the FX3 components and the fact that they introduce a raft of expensive hardware that can (and does) malfunction, the fact that no one seems wowed by it, the excellent base suspension tuning by GM and the practical reality that money not spent on FX3 can be used for repairs, other improvements or saved, I'd recommend getting a good set of standard shocks and enjoy the car and put FX3 concerns out of your mind. You can always tinker with it later if you want.

/s/ Chris Kennedy

 

[slapshot]

I agree with the too harsh too soft settings. I keep it in the middle (sport I think). The lowest setting (tour) is floaty and way soft, yet the highest setting will make your fillings fall out. Sport is even kinda stiff for my taste, but I don't like the soft/floaty feel of tour.

My shocks are still good, but know I'll have to deal with it eventually. It isn't just the shocks, the darn actuactors are pricey too, and I'm sure there computer boxes there somewhere too.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

The good thing is that the system can be disconnected and you can go back to regular shocks so easily. One thing I have also noticed is that the FX3 system does not seem to make a car more valuable, even if the seller is touting the FX3 system at the time.

/s/ Chris Kennedy