Bilstein 5100 Seepage/Leaking/Hydraulic Fluid Fountain

So, I took my truck in for inspection the other day. Failed because the rear 5100's are leaking fluid, which is grounds for a failed inspection in Maine.

However, according to Bilstein, fluid seepage from the shocks is considered "normal" and is not grounds from replacement under warranty.

Part of me is temped to take a can of brake cleaner to the shocks and immediately go for inspection. But, that doesn't solve the real problem at hand.

Here's some pictures of the shocks.

Driver's side:




Passenger side:




I'll be contacting Bilstein on the matter and will post up my results.

Wow, that's worse than mine and your shock bodies are on the bottom!!

Here's the warranty guide that Bilstein provides for their shocks...



Who'd you get your shocks from?

MtnClimber wrote:Wow, that's worse than mine and your shock bodies are on the bottom!!

Here's the warranty guide that Bilstein provides for their shocks...



Who'd you get your shocks from?

I bought mine from Downsouth Motorsports.

I'm currently in communication with Lisa, the Warranty Supervisor of Bilstein US.

Right now it's looking like in order for the shocks to be replaced, I'll have to send them in to be tested for whether or not they fit the criteria for replacement.

But's it's an ongoing conversation. I'll keep you posted.

I need her number...

MtnClimber wrote:I need her number...

Well, I WAS going to send her a link to this thread

That works as well.

So far so good with my shocks, although I recently haven't been under there in a few weeks to see if they are leaking at all, but in my opinion what those pictures show is completely unacceptable.

Understanding that shocks may WEEP a little here and there, and they are a wearable item, it still doesn't negate the fact that the shock should hold up to normal wear and tear. As has already been discussed in length, the shock will eventually lose all of it fluid and no longer fit the definition of shock. This in combination with the fact that it will also produce additional pressures and wear on other components.

The tough part with Bilstein is that they are great riding shocks and I think they figure that this is what they can hang their hat on and get by with. I'm not sure there is another shock in this price point that gives you the ride quality they have.

More info in my TW thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bilstein-5100-seepage-leaking-hydraulic-fluid-fountain.418230/

Very very disappointed after seeing that thread over on TW.

Definitely not a good way of dealing with customers or a faulty product.

So far so good with my 5100s. Time will tell tho, I had no issues with the ones I installed on my Grand Cherokee years back and they took a beating