Bilstein rebuild

[Charles Freeborn]

I'm on the fence on replacing or having Bilstein rebuild my dampeners. Car is a '74 130k miles give or take. I don't intend to do any serious tracking with it - and not too anxious to spend more than I have to on it.
Any experience with the re-building service they offer out there?
Thx,
-C

[manbridge 74]

I'm also curious as my 74 has had inserts replaced 20K miles ago but there is some slop between insert and housing, noticed when I have someone shake car with my hand on strut.

I might re-bush them myself if I can find a puller to remove old sleeve bushings.

[Jack Olsen]

I had mine rebuilt by Bilstein recently. If I'm remembering right, it was $65/shock. Faster than I expected, too.

[Jack Olsen]

Here's there services list with prices:

Service

[Canada Kev]

The other benefit to rebuilding is that they can be more closely damped to your spring rate as compared to new out of the box units.

[moneymanager]

Bilstein does what you'd expect, pretty much a factory perfect job. After nearly 40 years, your shocks are likely pretty much gone and could stand some attention.

[Charles Freeborn]

Ball is rolling:
'74 Front suspension re-build

How far do I have to tear down the shocks before I send them in to B'stein? Roll pins out, spindles off, etc?
Thanks,
-C

[moneymanager]

Take them off the car and put them in a box. No breakdown needed.

[Cory M]

Originally Posted by Charles Freeborn

Ball is rolling:
'74 Front suspension re-build

How far do I have to tear down the shocks before I send them in to B'stein? Roll pins out, spindles off, etc?
Thanks,
-C

Bilstein just needs the inserts, shipping will be way more if you send them everything. You can remove the inserts by knocking out the rollpin at the base of the strut. You can probably get them to throw in some new rubber bump stops too. If you are removing the strut for clean up you should buy new tapered bolts, washers and nuts for the balljoint attachment (Pelican sells them).

[kinein]

I just bought a set of bilstein struts. Could i.send them in to get re-painted or just send them to a powder coating shop?

[mattokeol]

The other benefit to rebuilding is that they can be more closely damped to your spring rate as compared to new out of the box units.

[AVDCAV]

I asked them to paint mine " they said its just farm tractor green
They will send you new stickers with the re build.

5 dollar spray can and they look perfect.

[Mr Project]

Just wanted to chime in. I sent my set in for rebuild in mid-February, and just got them back today (June 10th). Price was $85/shock for rebuild to stock HD specs, no revalve, since they charge an extra $10/shock to upgrade them to 11mm rods. They don't have parts for the original 10mm rods any longer.

Price was reasonable but turnaround time was EXCRUCIATING. They were not good about returning my phone calls along the way, either. I understand they are busy in the winter but it was not a positive customer service experience for me. YMMV.

[wildcat077]

I heard about their rather "slow" turnaround time but that seems a little ridiculous ... i guess the best thing to do would be to pick up some extra core shocks and send them out while hoping it takes less than six months to get them back !

Cheers
Phil

[Charles Freeborn]

Having "cores" would certainly work, but the switch out in the front is pretty extensive, and requires re-alignment too. If you're in a rush you'll want to simply buy new shocks. That said, the re-build quality is superb. Good as new.
-C

Originally Posted by wildcat077

I heard about their rather "slow" turnaround time but that seems a little ridiculous ... i guess the best thing to do would be to pick up some extra core shocks and send them out while hoping it takes less than six months to get them back !

Cheers
Phil

[PacificP]

just order the insert and install them your self 30 min per side and the come with all new nuts and hat

[Charles Freeborn]

And Bob's your uncle!