Update: Bilstein D916/917 Experience in CRD

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 16, 2009 12:08 pm

Anyone tried the Bilstein D916/917 HOs in a KJ CRD?

I've used Bilsteins in countless street and racecars for decades, but they don't always get the valving quite right.

UPDATE: 01-23-09

Nobody has responded who has tried them.

Bilstein tech rep claims that the type of strut/shock body used does NOT allow revalving and they do not have another model available for the KJ.

However, the valving is reportedly 20% firmer than OEM, though he did not have specifics for bump and rebound. (My guess is they may be 20% stiffer on rebound and 5-10% stiffer on bump.)

In any case, there only seems to be one OEM part number for both front and rear for the '05 CRD, so though we seem to have stiffer front springs than gas versions, the shocks are probably valved the same.

As such, I plan to go ahead with the 916/917 set and will report.

BTW, for my application/use, I was fine with the OEM shocks up to about 30k. Bilsteins, in my experience, last virtually forever unless you hurt them, so if they just don't deteriorate like the OEMs, I'll probably be happy. (I have had them on my '99 VW Passat for almost 250K and they are still going strong!)

DOC

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:05 pm

I assume they are replacement struts/shocks for a "stock" CRD???

The problem I have with them...is there is no separate listing for the CRD. The CRD is heavier especially up front. They are basically giving one part number for all 4WD Jeep Liberty Models.

I would therefore say that they did not real testing or special valving for a CRD.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:15 pm

Darby,

Hard to imagine that you could be wrong. I'd also bet a lot that no testing was done by Bilstein on a KJ CRD. However, my only problem with Bilsteins on over 30 vehicles is that sometimes they have more damping than suits my taste. So, a shock that I might find is stiffer than I like on a gas KJ might be just right for me on a CRD.

BTW, anyone know if the part #s for OEM struts/shocks are different for the CRD vs. gas V6?

Thanks,

DOC

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:42 pm

I just realized I have an OEM parts list for a 2005 KJ on a CD.

What I found is that there is only one part number listed for the front struts and one for the rear shocks.

Anyone have different info?

Thanks,

DOC

jinstall · **Posted:** Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:06 pm

I am going Koni adjustables when it comes time.

Next is the front pads and rotors with DBA 4000 rotors and Ferodo pads.

tonycrd · **Posted:** Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:06 am

Here's what the '02 parts manual says:

Only ...2 partnumbers? Am I imagining things or....RANCHO SHOCK?

Hmm, guess you learn things every day: see page 1

http://partsyouneed.net/v/vspfiles/pdf/shocks-struts.pdf

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 17, 2009 4:23 pm

Tony,

My Parts CD for 2005 lists only:

Front: 52088650AF

Rear: 5208873AE

Given how good my experience has been with Bilsteins over the past 37 years and how little it will cost to get a full set of what they have to fit the KJ CRD, I'll probably go with them, but I'd love to hear from someone who has actual experience with the listed Bilsteins on a KJ.

Thanks,

OC

tonycrd · **Posted:** Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:07 pm

Doc, the Bilstein shocks for the KJ haven't been around for that long. That's probably why no one has them.

I looked into them but they seem to be stock replacements.

I finally went for the KONI adjustables.

But for the price of a set of KONI's you can get Bilsteins for the rest of your KJ's life so...go for it.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:48 pm

Tony,

Looks like Bilsteins are about half the price of Konis for a full set.

I've tried adjustable Konis on three vehicles and could never get them in the damping range I was looking for.

Very little experience with Ranchos, just once with 9000s on the rear of a 3/4 ton diesel Suburban. Couldn't get those to the right balance between bump and rebound. (When the rebound was about right, there was too much bump.) Most "single adjustable" shocks only adjust rebound, but Ranchos adjust both at the same time like old air over oil twin tube Konis. However, that was really always intended to compensate for wear over the life of the shock, really not to allow real damping adjustment. Modern gas shocks don't tend to deteriorate much over time. They work pretty much the same until they fail.

So, I guess if nobody turns up who has experience with the KJ Bilsteins, I'll take the plunge and report.

BTW, I'll be comparing them to OEM with about 50K on them. None appear to be leaking, but the rears have lost a lot of bump damping so the rear suspension now hits the bump stops after rather modest bumps. I also have found that what ultimately limits droop in the rear suspension of a KJ is what is essentially the upper control arm, hitting the frame right next to the rubber/metal joint (not a good situation). So, as the rear shocks lose rebound, you start to hear banging in the rear when metal control arm hits the metal frame when you reach full droop. (Some sort of limit straps should be added.)

Later,

DOC

jinstall · **Posted:** Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:26 am

If you really want to spend the cash then contact Koni directly or if you really want ot spend cash contact Penske and they can build you whatever it is you are looking for. I have had Bilsteins built for the race car through H&R, I paid but I got what I wanted also.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:10 am

A yes, Jin,

You' re the enlightened one who drove his KJ around the Nurburgring on the door handles and lived to tell about it! (And they didn't suspend your FIA license pending in-depth psychological testing?)

And, even YOU haven't tried Bilsteins on your Jeep yet.......... As I said in my prev post, I guess I'll just take the plunge.

I have Penske 8100s on two of my vintage Formula Fords and Koni 2812s on a Club Ford, so I am very familiar with the racing application side. However, I'm surprised you suggested Penskes since they require replacement of the shim stack, among other things, every 1000 to 1500 miles, not exactly practical for the street.

In any case, if I need to go with a shock with custom valving, Bilstein does do this for us remarkably cheaply. And, I do have access to a shock dyno so I might have a remote chance of getting it right on the first round trip to southern Cal.

However, I was hoping to get feedback from a few folks to go by so I could fairly confidently just bolt them on and move onto other things in life. (It's my wife's Jeep, for chrissakes.)

Thanks Again to Everyone for your input.

DOC

chrispitude · **Posted:** Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:59 am

Doc,

I wonder if it's worth working out a deal with Bilstein where you work with them to get the valving right for the CRD, then they introduce a part # for these vehicles?

- Chris

jinstall · **Posted:** Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:07 pm

Hey I was just giving suggestion. I have worked with H&R Germany directly. You can also try to contact AST NA. I have worked with Yvonne from H&R Germany to get my suspension rebuilt in Germany. Since Bilstein builds the dampeners and H&R produces the springs in each others suspensions kits, you can contact either one. Bilstein/H&R service is great as long as they let you know they were shipped and UPS dosen't show up at your door with a COD and expect you to have cash on hand. Penske stuff is too rich for my pocket so I stay with H&R/Bilstein for the race car and I am looking at Koni for the Jeep. Since you have a shock machine then you shouls have a better ability to dial in what the KJ needs and help the rest of us get something better.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:09 pm

See update of original post..........

calamaridog · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:05 am

I'm looking forward to some pics and impressions when these are installed.

Like you, I have favorable experience with Bilstein products over the years.

tonycrd · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2009 8:19 am

Keep us informed Doc!

Side note: in order to adjust Koni shocks....for the front you need to take the coil of..every time...

UFO · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:14 pm

Just because the CRD is a little heavier in front, the percentage increase in front wheel weighting due to the diesel engine is what? 5%? Even if 10% more (unlikely), the shocks can deal with that, especially a Bilstein that is undoubtedly higher damped than factory.

Thanks for the word of confidence for Bilsteins in a TDI. I will be replacing my factory dampers with Bilsteins (TCs) soon, and I only want to do this ONCE.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:01 pm

UFO,

For your Golf or Jetta TDI, I would suggest consulting with Neuspeed. There may be many Bilstein choices and they will have them all. (They are the only ones who offer multiple snap ring grooves for the front shocks for a B5 Passat to allow adjusting the ride height.)

The most important thing is to get a shorter length than OEM if you ever may be going with springs to lower the ride height. "Sport" shocks will usually work fine with OEM springs, but not vice versa.

DOC

jinstall · **Posted:** Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:01 am

2009 Jetta TDi can be built into the Cup Series race cars from parts from VW, I so almost traded the CRD for one just for this reason. They use Bilstein dampeners and Eibach springs, at least the one at the Washington Auto Show did when I got to get in it and look around on it.

calamaridog · **Posted:** Fri May 08, 2009 5:17 pm

I'm currently using the Bilstein strut with OME heavy coils on a v6 gasser. The ride is very good.

Update: Bilstein D916/917 Experience in CRD

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