Bilstein Shock Question For U Guys

EURO M3 CSL · Post by **EURO M3 CSL** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 10:46 pm

I have a question regarding about bilstein shocks. My father purchased a set of bilstein shocks for an old 1975 530i a while back. Maybe roughly 30 years ago. Unfortunatly the rear rubber bushing that connects the shocks to the rear swing arm is badly deformed and cracked. I called up bilstein themselve that they said they do not, and will not do any replacement on the shock as it is not covered in their lifetime warranty. I would like to ask if this is true or not? I need to fix that part as the shock is jumping up and down when going over bumps. Please let me know what you guys think i should do. Its intresting as bilstein still make shocks for this car but they refuse to fix the cracked bushing. What u guys think i should do? Any help is appreciated! thanks

Btw, 30+ years and no leaking so far! WHOOT.. just a cracked lower bushing

garethashenden · Post by **garethashenden** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:09 pm

It is my understanding that they will rebuild them for you. I'm not sure how much they cost.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:17 pm

I have seen 2 piece replacement shock mounts before. Not in a long while, but I've seen them. That would seem to be the solution if you can find them. That or maybe some other kind of rubber bushing, the washer should hold them togther pretty well. McMaster Carr usually has all sorts of stuff like that if you cant find it in the automotive world.

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Thu Jun 09, 2011 5:59 am

The way I understand it, is for you to have Pops verify that he's the original owner of the shocks with the receipt before the lifetime guarantee comes into play.
But, the bushing may not be covered. It's not the shock, it's the mount.
Good luck,,,,Greg

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Thu Jun 09, 2011 11:09 am

I spoke with Bilstein a while back.

They explained that the lifetime warranty is for the original buyer. If you can prove that your father is just that, they should fix it.

Otherwise, my understanding is that they will rebuild the shock, but you pay for it. I believe that a rebuild is about $75 per unit.

EURO M3 CSL · Post by **EURO M3 CSL** » Thu Jun 09, 2011 10:06 pm

Blaise wrote:I spoke with Bilstein a while back.

They explained that the lifetime warranty is for the original buyer. If you can prove that your father is just that, they should fix it.

Otherwise, my understanding is that they will rebuild the shock, but you pay for it. I believe that a rebuild is about $75 per unit.

Yes my dad is the original buyer and he still has the receipt for the purchase. If they do refuse to fix it, is there any other shock that would fit? According to RealOEM, the springs used on the 75 goes up to 79' E12, so would the later year shocks fit? apparently bmw changed the shock after 2 years and im curious to know of later years would fit?

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Thu Jun 09, 2011 10:56 pm

As far as I know the bodies are the same, but I see a different spring in Realoem and I know in the big blue book they show several different springs, though I don't recall the dates at the moment. In other words, I am fairly sure later shocks would work, but you would need later springs, which I'm sure are available used for less than new prices. In other words, options are out there but they might take a little work.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=33&fg=45