Continuing the topic "100 Series Cruiser suspension changes"

After 61452 klm with the Billstiens I have to report that what began as what I felt where pretty good shocks have turned out to be somewhat disappointing. In fact I would go as far to say that the OEMs are far better.

Most of the Billstiens fitted (4) are leaking oil and just the other day a noise from the rear suspension. On investigation the rear RH Billstien had parted company with its mounting.

What I discovered.







I was able to tidy up the threads and refit the mounting.



Clearly the renowned Billstien Shock absorber is not suitable for Aussie conditions.

bugger mate was that the result of some of the recent roads or a more long term thing

Posted By Geriatric Gypsies on 04 Feb 2012 09:37 PM
bugger mate was that the result of some of the recent roads or a more long term thing

Since they were fitted we have been to King Ash Bay to Burketown (Savannah Way), Cobold George, Cape York and Yorke Peninsular. Speaking of unsealed roads to tracks the rest on the black top.

It was the result of the shaft unscrewing itself from the mounting, not suitable for Aussie conditions. Was it not tightened enough from new? Takes a lot of force to unscrew the shaft, the assembly in the unit turns easily enough but where does the leverage come from to unscrew it?

Bloomin' 'eck ... glad I haven't got Bilsteins. what did you replace them with?

Scol.

Posted By Scolers on 05 Feb 2012 08:36 AM
Bloomin' 'eck ... glad I haven't got Bilsteins. what did you replace them with?

Scol.

This just happened. Haven't replaced them with anything, the bottom photo is the broken shockie after I fixed it. It went back on the truck.

Hope it works out for you.

scol.

Posted By Scolers on 07 Feb 2012 09:57 AM
Hope it works out for you.

scol.

I was thinking for awhile that there was something not right with the rear, was a bit bouncy. With that shocky back where it should be the change is very noticeable. Will be changing them all soon though.

Merv thanks for the report on the Bilsteins.  It is obvious it is not just the one failure and I would not regard the distance nor where you have been a major contributor. Of interest in June 2007 you suggested I stick with the standard suspension and I have done pretty much that with 90,000 klm everything seems to be going ok and it is well matched to van. . I do a little offroad work without the van so 18 months ago I put polyaires in and they are fine although with the van on I only run 10 PSI or the rear rides too high.  Now in August last in company with several other vehicles I completed the Canning Stock route with a friend in an identical 100 series to mine.  As the Canning is heavy on suspension we were all required to take a full set of replacement shocks.  So some went out and put new aftermarket on.  We were all heavily loaded but outcome was

100 series I was in 1 new TJM shock failed after 5000 klm replaced by OEM shock that had already done 110,000 klm and got us home OK
Prado 3 new ROX shocks failed with less than 5000 klm.  All replaced with orginal tired OEM shocks with no extra problems
100 Series one original tired OEM failed. Replaced by new OEM no problems  

So the moral of the story seems to be stick with OEM that seems well matched to vehicle and in the case of the 100 Series are quite favourably priced and very simple to install with their self locking sytem that avoids the need to try and compress whilst fitting  

Thanks for that Daz. It pretty much says it all. I'll be going back to OEM's.