Bilsteins on 2019 SD

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Feb 14, 2022 | 07:11 AM

LEMII

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Dec 2019

Posts: 226

Likes: 76

Bilsteins on 2019 SD

I replaced the stock shocks on my 2019 F-250 4WD Diesel with Bilstein 4600s and the steering stabilzer with a Bilstein 5100 over the weekend. Took me about four hours, with a break for breakfast in middle. Hardest parts were removing the nut from the top of the front driver's side shock (I couldn't get a socket on it and had limited movement with a standard box-end wrench) and removing the tapered pin on the stabilzer (had to put a little heat on it to break it loose since I didn't have a ball-joint tool). The rear shocks were easy-peasy.

I also rotated the tires while I was at it - man those 20" wheels are heavy! I screwed up some of the lug nuts with my impact cause I think I had the wrong size socket on initially that added some time to the overall job.

I can't say I notice a real difference, perhaps a slight improvement on the ride, but nothing significant...then again I only have about 18,000 miles on the truck since I bought it new in November, 2019.

Feb 15, 2022 | 11:09 AM

Baja Fog

Mountain Pass

Joined: Feb 2021

Posts: 166

Likes: 66

From: Loveland CO & NTB NC

Thanks for this. Without a significant improvement in ride, I can't see adding the Bilstein's at this point. Thanks for the heads up. I'm taking her in for Death Wobble!!! tomorrow. I expect the dealer will inspect it, charge me $200.00 and tell me it's all my fault and want to rebuild the front end at my expense

Feb 15, 2022 | 11:37 AM

knaffie

Mountain Pass

Joined: May 2020

Posts: 204

Likes: 115

From: Zephyr Cove, NV

Shock reviews are always so subjective. For every person that says one particular shock model made a tremendous difference and makes their truck ride so much better, there is always another person that says it made no difference at all.

Thanks for the honest feedback.

Feb 15, 2022 | 03:17 PM

drgdlr

New User

Joined: Apr 2021

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

I just replaced my stock stocks, which were dry rotted @ 60k with 4600s. Ride quality is still harsh (read: its a F250) but it is not jarring me now. Much more responsive and not as firm which is acceptable.

Agree with above post 100%, shock reviews are subjective, but so are expectations. Cant expect a F250 to ride like a caddy with a $300 adjustment

Feb 15, 2022 | 04:05 PM

RMVA

Freshman User

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 40

Likes: 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEMII

Who did you buy them from? They may be tuned poorly. Bilstein customer service is pretty good, call them to find a shop near you that can tune them right.

Feb 15, 2022 | 04:44 PM

Ltripreno

Mountain Pass

Joined: Feb 2018

Posts: 106

Likes: 6

From: Reno-Tahoe region

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baja Fog

I took my 2018 to my dealer for death wobble. It was "fixed", I hope, at no cost to me. It is a factory recall to replace steering stabilizer.
Good luck!

Feb 16, 2022 | 08:11 AM

LEMII

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Dec 2019

Posts: 226

Likes: 76

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMVA

Who did you buy them from? They may be tuned poorly. Bilstein customer service is pretty good, call them to find a shop near you that can tune them right.

I didn't know these shocks could be tuned. How is that done?

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Feb 16, 2022 | 09:19 AM

knaffie

Mountain Pass

Joined: May 2020

Posts: 204

Likes: 115

From: Zephyr Cove, NV

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMVA

Who did you buy them from? They may be tuned poorly. Bilstein customer service is pretty good, call them to find a shop near you that can tune them right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEMII

I didn't know these shocks could be tuned. How is that done?

I'm 99% sure you can't tune or service the 4600 or the 5100. It comes with the valving that's appropriate for your application and that's what you get. When the shock is worn out, you throw it away. The first shock that you can take apart in Bilstein's lineup is the 7100.

https://www.bilstein.com/us/en/product/bilstein-m-7100/ "BILSTEIN M 7100 shock absorbers are completely owner rebuildable."

Another article confirming. https://www.shocksurplus.com/pages/b...ormance-shocks "Another distinguishing factor of the Fox 2.0 is its ability to be rebuildable and rechargeable (nitrogen gas), this makes any Fox shock a lifetime shock that can last the life of any vehicle. Along with the benefits of the Fox 2.0 over Bilstein 5100, comes a big price difference. Typical Fox sets are in the $500-600 / set range, while Bilstein 5100 sets come in around $300-400, a significant difference and deciding factor for most."