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Bilstein Shock Problems
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=64196		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  downtowncb [ Sat Dec 17, 2011 3:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Bilstein Shock Problems
I bought a set of front and rear Bilstein shocks about a month ago and installed them on my '05 CRD. I've since discovered the fronts are bottoming out internally and creating a terrible ride. The already destroyed the original rubber bushings, which I replaced with polyurethane. To my knowledge the suspension is completely stock on this. Anyone seen this or have any idea what the hell is going on? I emailed the company I bought them from and got a response that amounted to "that's not possible." I sent them these photos and I'm waiting to hear a response.

I took the spring out to cycle the suspension with just the shock in. This is with the shock completely bottomed out:
Image

With the dust cover off you can see it is all the way bottomed out:
Image

No shock, cycles just fine:
Image

Image
Author:  tommudd [ Sat Dec 17, 2011 4:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bilstein Shock Problems
Thats why I recommend OME on the front of a CRD when asked they seem to hold up better
Plus not knowing how you drive or hit holes / speed bumps/ curbs etc has a lot to do with it.
Also your springs may be weak enough to cause issues as well
again not not knowing mileage on yours hard to say
Author:  downtowncb [ Sat Dec 17, 2011 5:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bilstein Shock Problems
I agree a weak spring would contribute to a poor ride, but the spring is not the issue in this case. I've completely eliminated the spring and proved the shock is bottoming out in a stock application before the suspension even hits the bump stop. This is my GF's DD, not our four wheeling Jeep. It's not like I'm using it to mob over curbs haha. It bottoms out over relatively minor bumps in the road during average, non-aggressive driving. I'm just trying to figure out if the problem is on their end or somehow this CRD is different than others. The control arms are stock, the springs are stock, the yoke from the shocks to LCA is stock... I just can't figure out what the hell it could be.
Author:  downtowncb [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 1:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bilstein Shock Problems
Well I think I found the problem. Been cruising the forum for hours this evening and discovered that my top plate doesn't look like any I've seen on here. Borrowing this picture from OzLtd on here:

Image

Mine doesn't look like this, but has about a 2" depression down the center that the shock bolts to. We've owned the Jeep for a little over a year and never noticed a problem until I got the bright idea to replace the shocks... Looks like at some point in it's past life the CRD had a lift on it that was later taken off, unfortunately the ( * ) didn't put it all the way back to stock. Kinda bumed because the GF has been driving around on the brand new Bilsteins that have been bottoming out for about a month now. Don't think they'll last long after that.
Author:  BugginKJ [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 2:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bilstein Shock Problems
That there in your hand is a top plate some one installed to give it some lift.
Many subjects on it floating around.
Author:  tommudd [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 3:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bilstein Shock Problems
IF it has a 2 inch or so depression in it then it sounds like it had a Daystar spacer lift on it before, that would explain everything why the shock is bottoming out.
You will need to find some stock OEM plates and now of course new front shocks as well.
I never thought of anything like that since I "assumed" that it was stock and always had been :oops:

of course maybe the CRD top mounts are different anyone have a picture of one handy???
Author:  RED_KJ_666 [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 3:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bilstein Shock Problems
tommudd wrote:
IF it has a 2 inch or so depression in it then it sounds like it had a Daystar spacer lift on it before, that would explain everything why the shock is bottoming out.
You will need to find some stock OEM plates and now of course new front shocks as well.
I never thought of anything like that since I "assumed" that it was stock and always had been :oops:

of course maybe the CRD top mounts are different anyone have a picture of one handy???


I don't have a CRD top plate picture but I'd also put money on those top plates being Daystar Units. :2cents:
Author:  downtowncb [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bilstein Shock Problems
BugginKJ wrote:
That there in your hand is a top plate some one installed to give it some lift.
Many subjects on it floating around.


That's not my picture, just borrowed it to reference the top plate bolted to the top of the shock, not the plate the individual is holding. The shock post on that stock unit sticks up above the plate, mine is recessed about 2" into the plate.

tommudd wrote:
IF it has a 2 inch or so depression in it then it sounds like it had a Daystar spacer lift on it before, that would explain everything why the shock is bottoming out.
You will need to find some stock OEM plates and now of course new front shocks as well.
I never thought of anything like that since I "assumed" that it was stock and always had been :oops:

of course maybe the CRD top mounts are different anyone have a picture of one handy???


Same assumption I made... In the time I've owned it I never found any indication it had ever been lifted so I assumed what I was working with was all OEM. Ya, I'll pick up some new plates this week. We're taking this on a 1K mile trip this Friday down to visit family in Reno for Christmas so I need to remedy this before then.
Author:  spitfire36o [ Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bilstein Shock Problems
tommudd wrote:
IF it has a 2 inch or so depression in it then it sounds like it had a Daystar spacer lift on it before, that would explain everything why the shock is bottoming out.


+1. I hit the same issue when putting an OME lift on my CRD after i bought it used. I had to order 2 new upper mounts
Author:  spitfire36o [ Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bilstein Shock Problems
i just looked at this again. Are those the stock bump stops?
Author:  tommudd [ Fri Jan 06, 2012 5:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bilstein Shock Problems
Yes thats another issue he needs to address SOON
Author:  At The Helm [ Fri Jan 06, 2012 7:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bilstein Shock Problems
I don't think he has any lift, just the daystar plates and no spacer. He wouldn't need extended bumpstops then.
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