Shocks for my big dodge - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 06-29-2011, 10:45 PM

I have a set of Bilsteins on my 3/4 ton 2wd dodge with cummins. they lasted about 50,000. The factory shocks were crap from the get go. After 40K after market shocks became available and I got Ranchos, which lasted about 35K miles.

I am pretty disappointed in the bilsteins life. Autozone offers gabriel. Anybody had better luck with the gabriels or anythign other than bilsteins or ranchos on trucks?

This changing shocks every 50K is getting old!

retmil46 · #2 06-29-2011, 11:21 PM

Tell me about it - the factory shocks on my 05 Jeep Liberty were crap as well - every Liberty forum has the common complaint that the factory shocks were shot by 30K to 50k miles - more of that wonderful bean counter engineering that DaimlerChrysler was (in)famous for.

I've always had good results with Monroe shocks. Just about every vehicle I've had, has at one time or another ended up with a set of Monroe shocks, and I've never been disappointed with the results.

On my first 87 300D, I replaced the 18 year old factory shocks with a set of Monroes front and back, and I was quite pleased with the way the car rode and handled.

2 weeks ago, I got around to replacing the factory shocks on the Liberty with Monroe quickstrut assemblies in the front (new strut and coil spring) and new shocks in the rear. I gained back between 1/2 to 1 inch in ride height in the front. Driver and passenger side front are now equal height as well - since new with the factory shocks, drivers side had always been noticeably lower and everyone just said "that's the nature of the beast" - bullcrap, it was nothing but cheap factory shocks and springs. Ride and handling are noticeably improved as well.

If they can handle this 4300 lb brick of an SUV, I'd say they'd probably give good results on your pickup as well.

******** was having a Memorial Day sale, and I picked up 2 quickstruts and 2 rear shocks for $360. At that, Monroes are usually considerably cheaper than some of the other name brands - but made by the same company that also makes Ranchos. So even if they don't last any longer than the others - 50K miles - you'd still be getting the same service life for considerably less coin.

aklim · #3 06-29-2011, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I have a set of Bilsteins on my 3/4 ton 2wd dodge with cummins. they lasted about 50,000. The factory shocks were crap from the get go. After 40K after market shocks became available and I got Ranchos, which lasted about 35K miles.

I am pretty disappointed in the bilsteins life. Autozone offers gabriel. Anybody had better luck with the gabriels or anythign other than bilsteins or ranchos on trucks?

This changing shocks every 50K is getting old!

I thought Bilsteins are warrantied forever?

rscurtis · #4 06-30-2011, 10:16 AM

I recently installed Bislteins on my '03 Dodge at 65K miles. The originals still had a little life left in them and weren't leaking. I actually sold them on ebay. I don't think a 50K life for shocks is out of line- they're a wear item just like tires and brakes.

retmil46 · #5 06-30-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rscurtis

I recently installed Bislteins on my '03 Dodge at 65K miles. The originals still had a little life left in them and weren't leaking. I actually sold them on ebay. I don't think a 50K life for shocks is out of line- they're a wear item just like tires and brakes.

Might well be the case these days, especially with a heavier vehicle.

Just seems that back in the day, having to change out shocks was a rare event in the useful life of a vehicle. My 87 Subaru wagon went for over 100K miles before requiring a new set of shocks - but then it barely weighed over 2000 lbs sopping wet, and that was the era before bean counter engineering became commonplace.

Even the Monroe website is recommending replacement every 50K miles these days. If the shock manufacturers have went to BCE as well, such that a 50K mile service life is now the industry norm, then why bother with the expensive high-end shocks and pay for the name, which will be worn out at the same point as a much less expensive set of Monroes?

aklim · #6 06-30-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retmil46

Even the Monroe website is recommending replacement every 50K miles these days. If the shock manufacturers have went to BCE as well, such that a 50K mile service life is now the industry norm,

then why bother with the expensive high-end shocks and pay for the name, which will be worn out at the same point as a much less expensive set of Monroes?

Like the shocks on my Vette which are Bilstein, they are not warrantied past what the manufacturer does. However, if you bought a set of Bilsteins, they will be warrantied for life. You can send the factory ones back for rebuilding which gives them a 90 day warranty.

Well, when your Monroes wear out, what do you do with them? Besides toss them in the garbage? When my Bilsteins wear out, I send them back for replacement. I had crankcase ventilation blowing on the shock and it caused an issue. Somehow, the shock started to leak. Bilstein replaced it without a word.

t walgamuth · #7 06-30-2011, 11:55 AM

Yeah, I can't find my receipt for the bilsteins.

aklim · #8 06-30-2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Yeah, I can't find my receipt for the bilsteins.

Did you buy them from Joe Blow or can you get the guy who sold it to warranty it for you? I kept my receipt since it was bought on the net and they sent me an email receipt

Pooka · #9 06-30-2011, 12:45 PM

Back in the 60's you replaced shocks every 10,000 miles. Sears sold several grads of shocks: cheap, middle of the road and lifetime. The only difference in middle of the road and lifetime was in the price since you were really buying an extended warranty with the lifetimes.

However they did warrant them for life, and if Sears installed them there was free installation for life. I had Sears put a pair on an old Oldsmobile Convert I had and they replaced them for free about every 12,000 miles for 22 years.

I don't know if they still do this, but if so it might be worth looking into.

Hatterasguy · #10 06-30-2011, 01:13 PM

I'd expect everything on a modern vehicle to last at least 100k miles. I have 82k on the original shocks on my Chevy and they are fine.

Oh wait I see the problem, its not a Dodge, forgot which trucks we were talking about for a minute.

Bilstein has a lifetime warranty, call them up they should replace them if they start to leak.

MTI · #11 06-30-2011, 01:32 PM

The Bilstein warranty is for defects in workmanship and materials, not lifetime wear:

Krupp Bilstein of America warrants its gas pressure shock absorbers against defects in workmanship and materials for as long as you, the original purchaser, own your car. If at any time after purchase or installation, the shock malfunctions and Bilstein determines it to be defective, we will either replace it or repair it. There are only a few specific exceptions to this warranty. They include:

- original equipment shock absorbers - which are warrantied by the original equipment manufacturer,
- improper installation,
- racing, driving competition or off-road use,
- use on modified or other than Bilstein-recommended vehicles.

t walgamuth · #12 06-30-2011, 09:00 PM

The oe equipment ones were worthless from day one. hit a bump on the highway and the front tires would start dancing and the front end would drift sideways for an unsettling moment until the shock would arrest the dancing.

t walgamuth · #13 06-30-2011, 09:00 PM

No Gabriel experience on big truckies?

Hatterasguy · #14 06-30-2011, 10:08 PM

Why don't you upgrade to a more heavy duty off road style shock, maybe with remote reservoirs? Or go to a dual shock set up?

Bilstein makes some impressive off road shocks when you get above there regular street models.

mattmacklind · #15 06-30-2011, 11:45 PM

I just put on Monroe Monomax shocks on my 96 GMC 1500. I love them. not particularly value prices, but awesome ride.