Broken Bilstein 5100 from highway driving?
 

Hey everyone, hope you're all doing well. After a couple weeks of very loud creaking and squeaking from what seemed to be the right rear of the vehicle, a routine trip to Ford resulted in the diagnosis of a broken, front right, Bilstein 5100 shock. Now, when I say broken, it's not cracked or otherwise visibly damaged (the plastic dust boot piece has been off for months). Ford didn't tell me much more than "it's defective, good luck."

I replaced the stock shocks with these because of their reputation of longevity and quality. What can cause one of these to go bad if they've never seen anything else aside from pavement?

Thanks in advance,
Anthony

Thats kinda scary since there are alot of people with them now. How long was it on your truck and did you buy them brand new or used ? Do you have any pics by chnace. As for it breaking I am not sure but I would also like to know.

Don't they have a warranty?

If its defective will bilstein replace it or no?

This was something I was hoping to never hear, Looks like they only have a 90 day warranty... lame.

If the noise is coming from the rear and they diagnose the front, i'd be a little suspicious. especially since if the shock isn't visibly broken. did you ask them how they confirmed their diagnosis?

I think it's lifetime for the original purchaser based on what I'm seeing. Certain models used in offroad/racing applications seem to have the 90 day warranty. From Bilstien's website:

GENERAL WARRANTY DETAILS
ThyssenKrupp 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.
* Bent or broken Rods showing abuse or abnormal wear

Bilstein's liability for a defective shock absorber is limited to replacement of shock with a new or reconditioned Bilstein shock absorber. Rubber mounting hardware and labor charges are not covered by the warranty.

Note: Other exclusions may or may not apply in certain states or rare circumstances. Proof of purchase is required to process warranty.

For additional information about our warranty, please contact our Warranty Hotline by phone at 1(800) 370-9522 or email at warranty@bilstein.com.

Push the front of the truck up and down really good then stop. If it springs up and down on it's on after you stop then it's a bad shock. I doubt it being a shock with out you knowing it.

Bilstein replaced one of my rear shocks because it was leaking. I just called and they charged $55 to my credit card and returned it when I sent the old shock back. I have the 5100 leveling set. You must send them the original receipt.

I get them last March and I've maybe put 20k miles on them.

You have to send it back and they have to verify that it's defective, which means I have to buy a new one first.

They said they lubed everything in the back up and when the noise continued, they lubed the shock and it stopped.

This is first I've heard of 5100 problems. Hop it was just a freak thing cause I use the heck out of mine. I've got about 20K on mine without incident,

well in your first post you said the dust boot had been off for a few months, that may of caused dirty to get in the shock and make it fail

also i would get a frieand and do a bounce test on all for coners

Everybody told me that plastic piece wasn't important.

I've had my front struts installed for 1yr and 1 week, rear shocks 1yr and 4 months, no issues what so ever, but before i installed them I did notice the poor welds on them.

I'd never install a shock without the dust boot. They are there for a reason.