Notices
Excursion - King of SUVs 2000 - 2005 Ford Excursion
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Bilstein lifespan?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 11:20 AM
  #1  
H1449-6's Avatar
H1449-6
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 584
Likes: 14
From: Austin, TX
Bilstein lifespan?

I think my Bilsteins are in need of replacement after about 40K miles. Does this seem right?
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 11:41 AM
  #2  
aklim's Avatar
aklim
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
Club FTE Silver Member

Do you have the purchase receipt? If you do, you can get a new one. BTDT
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 03:04 PM
  #3  
Tylus's Avatar
Tylus
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Veteran: Navy
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,607
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
Club FTE Silver Member

that is kind of a loaded question

do you tow alot?
haul alot of weight around?
ride around empty?
are your roads crappy?

what kind of tires are you running and at what pressure?


quite a few factors to consider. If your roads are crappy and you tow/haul often, you can expect a shorter shock life. Especially if you run E rated tires with high air pressure.
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 07:54 PM
  #4  
Curt's05's Avatar
Curt's05
Wiser by FTE
15 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 48
Club FTE Silver Member

would the short life span be true for the ranchro rs9000's?
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2011 | 07:56 PM
  #5  
H1449-6's Avatar
H1449-6
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 584
Likes: 14
From: Austin, TX
Originally Posted by tylus
that is kind of a loaded question

do you tow alot?
haul alot of weight around?
ride around empty?
are your roads crappy?

what kind of tires are you running and at what pressure?


quite a few factors to consider. If your roads are crappy and you tow/haul often, you can expect a shorter shock life. Especially if you run E rated tires with high air pressure.
Good questions. I don't tow very much at all, and the truck rarely has more than two adults and two kids in it. I am running Goodyear Silent Armor Pro Grade at 65# and the roads in Texas are generally pretty good.

I will see if I can dig up the receipt for these and get a replacement.
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2011 | 04:46 PM
  #6  
Elmo154's Avatar
Elmo154
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
What a pain!

I hope mine don't go at 40,000. Somebody say is isn't so!
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2011 | 04:55 PM
  #7  
Snowseeker's Avatar
Snowseeker
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
Well I'm glad I didn't do shocks yet! I was leaning toward bilsteins and have been looking to get new shocks within a month. I'd like to hear some more stories and mileage on bilsteins now!
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2011 | 04:57 PM
  #8  
aklim's Avatar
aklim
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
Club FTE Silver Member

I did the CCV on my truck and routed it to the rear. The fumes were blasting at the shock on the rear passenger side and when I noticed oil leaking out of it. I cleaned the shock but no luck. Still leaked. Call Bilstein up and they told me to go to Autozone and get a new one. Long story short, my mistake was paid for by the warranty.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 19, 2011 | 05:39 PM
  #9  
Snowseeker's Avatar
Snowseeker
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
My factory 170K mile shocks haven't and don't leak at all but I believe the inner seal for the valving is shot. Are the bilsteins working properly at least all the way up till they start leaking?
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2011 | 07:25 PM
  #10  
Curt's05's Avatar
Curt's05
Wiser by FTE
15 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 48
Club FTE Silver Member

My drivers rear was shot @ 75k, that's when i upgraded
 
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2011 | 02:12 AM
  #11  
AlaskanEx's Avatar
AlaskanEx
Bleed Ford Blue
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
Club FTE Silver Member

ugh...this reminds me how bad i need to replace my stock shocks....
 
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2011 | 03:03 AM
  #12  
tims01's Avatar
tims01
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 1
so far i have 160.000 miles on my oem bilstien roadmasters ones yaya i know im a slacker
 
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2011 | 07:33 AM
  #13  
fatswany's Avatar
fatswany
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Briggsdale, CO
"ugh...this reminds me how bad i need to replace my stock shocks.... "

Same boat my friend, went to Sturgis last weekend, some of the roads I take through WY made me feel like I was on a drunk bucking bronc......
 
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2011 | 01:22 PM
  #14  
njneer1's Avatar
njneer1
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 1
From: Southwest VA
Club FTE Silver Member

I have Bilstiens and hate them....too stiff on my Ex ....too soft on my 4runner......I wont do them again
 
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2011 | 03:43 PM
  #15  
Snowseeker's Avatar
Snowseeker
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
The adjustable 9000's are sounding pretty good. Couple hundred more is a small price to pay for a good adjustable ride for many years to come.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:51 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE