brand new bilsteins leaking

jkeyzer · jkeyzer's Garage

I recently bought a set of Bilstein HD shocks and noticed that the fronts are leaking slightly. One has a drop of red fluid on the shock under the dust cover and the other has more red fluid inside the dust cover and on the threads for the insert. Is it normal for them to seep some fluid in storage or should I take them back?

dickster · 04:47 AM

who installed them?

i've replaced my boge fronts with bilstein inserts. the old units had loads of red oil in them. i suspect that is what you are seeing. i didn't remove it all from mine and when i inserted the new ones it forced out some oil.

also, the new ones are filled with gas (?) not oil!

i don't think its anything to worry about. if you want to check, lift the front of the car, remove a wheel, drop the top of the strut (undo large nut), and see if there is alot of resistance in the insert (try and depress the shaft).

or have i completely got the wrong end here? you haven't installed yet have you?!!

dooh, (see avatar) then i can't help

but they are gas(?) so probably nothing to worry about.

Argo · 08-05-2002, 06:35 AM

I just installed Bilatein HD's on my front this weekend. Out of the box, each had small blobs of red grease around the base of the sliding shaft and more red grease on the shaft. I took that to be normal; in fact, if I remember correctly, the instructions provided with the shock cautioned against removing this grease. Like Dickster said, they're gas filled - if they leaked, they'd leak gas and once the gas was gone they'd just collapse. Mine worked fine once installed - red grease notwithstanding, they maintained full pressure and actually lifted the car about 3/4". If it were me, I wouldn't worry about it. You could always call Bilstein, too - they are supposed to be good on customer service.

Argo
88 Targa

john walker's workshop · 08-05-2002, 06:43 AM

gas shocks also have a fluid fill.

jabb · 08-05-2002, 06:53 AM

The Bilsteins have a GAS charge like 200psi that cushions the oil.

jkeyzer · jkeyzer's Garage

I haven't installed them yet, they are sitting on my garage floor. I took off the dust covers to inspect them (they are next weekend's project) when I noticed the fluid. I compressed the shocks and when the plunger came back out again it there was more red fluid around the base along with some darker grease. I'll call Bilstein and see what I can find out.

I installed the rears this past weekend (took all of 3 hours including getting a 22mm socket I didn't have) and it could not have been easier. I'd rate it a 2 out of 10, only slightly more difficult than changing wiper blades or filling the car with gas.

jkeyzer · jkeyzer's Garage

Bilstein says it's normal.

PS - I was not supplied with a tool to tighten the threaded disc on the insert. Any suggestions?

Joeaksa · 08-05-2002, 10:25 AM

Had the same problem and contacted Bilstein and they say that the real test of the shock is a compressed measurement of the unit and as long as it passes that test then its OK.

Re the wrench, you should contact Bilstein and they will send you one for free. You really need it to properly install the shocks and torque the nuts and they were great to work with and sent me one out immediately.

Also they said that they provide the wrenches with every set of shocks and should be sent out with them but that many of the wholesale people forget or in the case of one company in San Diego just do not care...

Joe

dickster · 08-05-2002, 10:39 AM

gas huh? has oil in it. learn something here everyday!

i used a pipe wrench with a cloth wrapped round the disk.

not the pro way of doing it.

jkeyzer · jkeyzer's Garage

Update, the company I bought the shox from is sending me a wrench. I guess you just have to know to ask for it in this case.