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Hi Challenger Owners,
I have had 3 front strut failures with my Bilsteins, apart from being inconvenient it is also getting expensive. I love the ride and handling of the Bilstein but not the life.
Failure 1. RH after 39,000km and 1.5 years, leaking oil, shaft had bubble under chrome and seal chopped out. Replaced under warranty after a short discussion under goodwill even though they were double the warranty period.
Failure 2. LH after 64,000kms and 4 years, leaking oil, shaft scored on one side, upon disassembly and doing a runout check shaft is bent by 2.5mm. Replaced at my cost.
Failure 3. RH again after 33,000kms and 2 years, leaking oil, shaft scored, so I suspect another bent shaft. Still fitted to vehicle whilst I consider my next move.
Scored shaft.
Spoken to Kierion at Bushskinz and he and his suppliers opinion is that the standard duty Lovells spring is putting a side load on the spring because the top of the spring is not ground flat and it does not sit in the tophat seat squarely and this is flexing the strut. Suggesting changing over to King coils.
Spoke to Lovell's and they have had no reported problems with their struts when fitted with their springs.
Spoke to Brendan at Ultimate, he uses Lovell's springs in their kits. He has not seen this problem before and thinks it maybe either the shocker topping or bottoming out (I have since checked this and they are not).
What to do?
Replace again with Bilstein and change both to King coils?
Replace with Dobinson MRR or Monotubes and Dobinson coils.
Replace with Terrain Tamer Pro-Shock or twin tube and Smart coils.
Replace struts with Ultimate Twin Tube Gas or Lovell's Gas and reuse existing coils.
All options require both front struts to be removed and disassembled so not a cheap or quick job.
When I look at the fitted strut I can see the strut shaft is not parallel to the strut body and it is not sitting centrally within the coil, see photo below;
Has anybody else had a similar problem?
I would be really grateful if anyone with any aftermarket suspension could take a photo and post it, of their left hand suspension at full extension with the wheel off. I need to see the top mount down to the upper control arm.
Many Thanks,
OJ.
I have had 3 front strut failures with my Bilsteins, apart from being inconvenient it is also getting expensive. I love the ride and handling of the Bilstein but not the life.
Failure 1. RH after 39,000km and 1.5 years, leaking oil, shaft had bubble under chrome and seal chopped out. Replaced under warranty after a short discussion under goodwill even though they were double the warranty period.
Failure 2. LH after 64,000kms and 4 years, leaking oil, shaft scored on one side, upon disassembly and doing a runout check shaft is bent by 2.5mm. Replaced at my cost.
Failure 3. RH again after 33,000kms and 2 years, leaking oil, shaft scored, so I suspect another bent shaft. Still fitted to vehicle whilst I consider my next move.
Scored shaft.
Spoken to Kierion at Bushskinz and he and his suppliers opinion is that the standard duty Lovells spring is putting a side load on the spring because the top of the spring is not ground flat and it does not sit in the tophat seat squarely and this is flexing the strut. Suggesting changing over to King coils.
Spoke to Lovell's and they have had no reported problems with their struts when fitted with their springs.
Spoke to Brendan at Ultimate, he uses Lovell's springs in their kits. He has not seen this problem before and thinks it maybe either the shocker topping or bottoming out (I have since checked this and they are not).
What to do?
Replace again with Bilstein and change both to King coils?
Replace with Dobinson MRR or Monotubes and Dobinson coils.
Replace with Terrain Tamer Pro-Shock or twin tube and Smart coils.
Replace struts with Ultimate Twin Tube Gas or Lovell's Gas and reuse existing coils.
All options require both front struts to be removed and disassembled so not a cheap or quick job.
When I look at the fitted strut I can see the strut shaft is not parallel to the strut body and it is not sitting centrally within the coil, see photo below;
Has anybody else had a similar problem?
I would be really grateful if anyone with any aftermarket suspension could take a photo and post it, of their left hand suspension at full extension with the wheel off. I need to see the top mount down to the upper control arm.
Many Thanks,
OJ.
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