New Bilstein shocks already failing? Need input

[CONative]

Background: my buddy and I installed the Bilstein B12 Pro Kit 2 weeks ago. Per Bilstein I removed the front bump stops and trimmed the rears. Only had some minor knocking from front passenger but nothing major. Pulled the wheel, everything was snug tight. Friday I had an alignment done and ask the shop to see if they notice anything - they don't. Drive the car home, now I have rattling coming from both sides. Pull the wheels, everything looks good on both sides, even placed a jack stand underneath and used the floor jack to life the rotor and still looks good.

Next day I take my buddy for a ride, he thinks the alignment shop did something. Parked car and when I come back out an hour later I have a pool of fluid on my driveway. Pull the wheel again - it's hydraulic fluid coming from the shock. Way more so on the left but visible on the right as well.

Anyone else ran into this issue? Could the alignment shop done something to create this issue? I plan on calling Bilstein this morning but wanted to get input from the community as well. This wasn't my first rodeo and used every resource on this forum as well as the stasis guide and st guide from ECS for guidance along the way.

TIA


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[NLPed68]

That's nutz!! I don't like hearing this as I also just received my B12 kit after a multi-month wait and I'd hate to have to go through this too. Keep us up to date in what Bilstein says.

[Zach L]

Bilstein makes great products, but if you keep having issues consider Koni Yellow Sport shocks. The best shocks I've owned. Even after 160,000 miles, they ride butter smooth. Damping is adjustable and they are nearly bulletproof. That's why they haven't needed to update the design in 30 years.

[rob_23]

Bilstein makes great products, but if you keep having issues consider Koni Yellow Sport shocks. The best shocks I've owned. Even after 160,000 miles, they ride butter smooth. Damping is adjustable and they are nearly bulletproof. That's why they haven't needed to update the design in 30 years.

I concur. My Koni's have been awesome.

[o1turbo30v]

Why did you remove the front bumpstops? I think you blew the strut by not having the front bumpstop installed. I have never seen any installation instructions provided by Bilstein that say "remove bumpstop".

[ECDT]

+1 for Koni I run the konis with h&r oe's

[CONative]

Why did you remove the front bumpstops? I think you blew the strut by not having the front bumpstop installed. I have never seen any installation instructions provided by Bilstein that say "remove bumpstop".

I removed as I was told that the front shocks have built-in bump stops and by not removing the ride may be harsher. This was debated on many threads, a few which you chimed in on which you mentioned you did not remove yours. But without a solid answer I called Bilstein US Aftermarket & Motorsports to hear it straight from the horses mouth. The answer I got was the front shocks have internal bump stops and the rears are designed to reuse the OEM.

Spoke with warranty this morning - had to send them vehicle info, any aftermarket mods and a picture of the shock - TBD.


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[Project Quattro]

I think only the rear bump stops need to be trimmed. @4ringnut may be able to advise further.

[CONative]

I think only the rear bump stops need to be trimmed. @4ringnut may be able to advise further.

Thanks man. It was his post that pushed me to call Bilstein before the install.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...n-Sport-shocks

And Bilstein reaffirmed his post. But hopefully he chimes in.


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[CONative]

*Update*

Bilstein is providing me a set of front replacement shocks at no charge - of course need to send the defective units back for evaluation. Warranty dept. was stunned as well but they are taking care of it. Another case of great customer service brought to you in part by Bilstein.


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[NLPed68]

That's great to hear, but sucks that you'll be down for some time.

[4ringnut]

The b8 sport shocks have internal bumpstops which prevent them from getting damaged at full impact. It does not prevent the top of the shock crashing into the shock mount. Bilstein did confirm that the stock front bumpstops are not needed with the b8 shocks. But after bottoming out several times I installed the trimming from the rear stops in the front (1.2"). Problem solved. As far as the blown shock. It happened to me too. It blew the second I lowered the car off the Jack right after the install. Red fluid all over the wheel well. Take pics, and file a claim with Bilstein. They sent me a new shock in less that 3 days, and it's been smooth sailing since

- - - Updated - - -

Only the fronts have internal stops btw.

[4ringnut]

Btw Konis are not as good matched with the eibach springs.

[NLPed68]

My last experience with Koni's on an Audi (my 2000 S4) was ridiculous. Yeah they were adjustable, but the adjustable dial wasn't accessible without serious difficulty. And my yellow front inserts on my E30 M3 blew second track day. I have a better luck "history" with the Bilsteins. I hope everything works out for the OP and I'll be chiming in once I put mine on in the near future.

[CONative]

The b8 sport shocks have internal bumpstops which prevent them from getting damaged at full impact. It does not prevent the top of the shock crashing into the shock mount. Bilstein did confirm that the stock front bumpstops are not needed with the b8 shocks. But after bottoming out several times I installed the trimming from the rear stops in the front (1.2"). Problem solved. As far as the blown shock. It happened to me too. It blew the second I lowered the car off the Jack right after the install. Red fluid all over the wheel well. Take pics, and file a claim with Bilstein. They sent me a new shock in less that 3 days, and it's been smooth sailing since

- - - Updated - - -

Only the fronts have internal stops btw.

Thanks for chiming in @4ringnut. Reaffirmed what Bilstein told me as well - front have internal but rears do not. Lisa in warranty is taking care of me - had pics and everything ready to go when I called. I leave for a road trip Friday so she's trying to get the replacements before then.

You say red fluid though? I'm seeing fluid that resembles the color of brake fluid. But ruled out anything brake-related - have pulled wheel multiple times now since OCD has kicked in.


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[4ringnut]

It's a reddish fluid, similar to our coolant. If you blew a shock the oil will collect on the bottom of it. And you should see splatter all over the wheel well

[4ringnut]

Wait I may be wrong about the color. I thought it was reddish.


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[4ringnut]

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[CONative]

To give you an idea - fluid has soaked axle shaft, lower control arm etc.

You say you started without front bump stops but eventually took the 1.5" you trimmed from the rear and added to the front? And ride quality has been smooth since?


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[o1turbo30v]

Interesting how both you and 4ringnut didnt install the front bumpstops and the strut blew the instant you lowered the car. I wonder if Bilstein needs to change their advice to us.

Its good to hear that they are taking care of you, thats cool.

[4ringnut]

Interesting how both you and 4ringnut didnt install the front bumpstops and the strut blew the instant you lowered the car. I wonder if Bilstein needs to change their advice to us.

Its good to hear that they are taking care of you, thats cool.

Interesting how my shock blew without even being fully compressed the first time I lowered my car from the jack. And then I had zero problems for over a year after bottoming out the shocks multiple times with no front bumpstops. Shit happens. They sometimes come faulty from the factory. I'm still technically not running bump stops. I really wish you stopped putting your 2 cents into these threads. I've had multiple members follow my install set up, and all had the same positive results.

[4ringnut]

To give you an idea - fluid has soaked axle shaft, lower control arm etc.

You say you started without front bump stops but eventually took the 1.5" you trimmed from the rear and added to the front? And ride quality has been smooth since?


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Both sides?

[CONative]

Interesting how both you and 4ringnut didnt install the front bumpstops and the strut blew the instant you lowered the car. I wonder if Bilstein needs to change their advice to us.

Its good to hear that they are taking care of you, thats cool.

I didn't really have any issues until I took it in for an alignment, drove almost 2 weeks, 100 miles give or take, before I had the alignment done. Wasn't until after I got the car back did I notice additional noises and then next day the pool of fluid.

But great customer service - went out of their way to expedite shipping, new set should arrive tomorrow morning.


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[CONative]

Both sides?

Unfortunately yes. Driver was more apparent first, then passenger. Ironically enough, the alignment shop said the driver side side was worse then passenger and that's where the knocking noise became more apparent - low and behold hydraulic fluid.

Now I get to put my new power washer to good use trying to rid my driveway and garage floor of these stains - yippee.


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