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Is the shock absorber available?

Our order centre can answer this question.

Our hotline numbers for dealers/garages:

Germany: +49 (0) 2333-791-4444

Europe: +49 (0) 2333-791-4630 or 4634

Overseas: +49 (0) 2333-791-4403 or 4684

Information about availability and current prices can also be obtained via Teccom!

Consumer hotline number:

Germany: +49 (0) 2333-791-4444

Outside Germany: Please contact your national sales agent.

What does the shock absorber cost?

Price information for dealers and garages can be obtained from our order centres (telephone numbers see Question 1).

Consumers can obtain the current prices from their dealer. You can also contact us by telephone: +49 (0) 2333-791-4444.

Where can I obtain the latest data?

From the website: www.bilstein.de - the catalogues are constantly updated.

Where can I get hold of a catalogue?

The latest versions of the catalogues are available here or ask your dealer.

Can I order from you via Teccom?

Yes, we have been available via Teccom since 1st July 2001 (not accessible to consumers).

How long is the BILSTEIN warranty?

We generally give two years' warranty on all products.

Are there discounts available?

Please check with your dealer for individual campaigns or all-in packages.

How long does delivery of the shock absorbers take?

We deliver our products to dealers and garages in Germany within 24 hours, i.e. goods ordered by 3.30 p.m. are delivered the next day!

Where can I buy BILSTEIN shock absorbers outside Germany?

The current list of national dealers is available  here.

What difference is there between BILSTEIN B6 Sport and BILSTEIN B8 Sprint shock absorbers?

The BILSTEIN B6 Sport is a mono-tube gas pressure shock absorber designed to dampen wide-ranging vibrations very precisely. Where an oil shock absorber produces an oily foam and creates a spongy driving feeling after a very short distance, the BILSTEIN B6 Sport remains constant, precise and stable. The BILSTEIN B8 Sprint is a mono-tube gas pressure shock absorber specifically designed to be used with lowered vehicles with shorter stroke. It also offers the same advantages as the BILSTEIN B6 Sport shock absorber.

Which shock absorbers do I need for my vehicle?

Repairs that reflect the current vehicle value:

BILSTEIN B2 Oil: For a worn or faulty original shock absorber - the same driving stability as on a new car.

BILSTEIN B4 Gas: For a worn or faulty original shock absorber - the same driving stability as on a new car. The BILSTEIN B4 Gas is a replacement part in Original Equipment quality and is available for almost any car.

 

Optimised suspension:

BILSTEIN B6 Sport: For a wider range of applications - with full payload and also at extreme temperatures - for consistent driving performance in town, on country roads and motorways, on short and long distances. The BILSTEIN B6 Sport is a high-performance shock absorber for normal and off-road vehicles.

BILSTEIN B8 Sprint: The BILSTEIN B8 Sprint was designed for lowered vehicles. This shortened high-performance shock absorber is the complement to suspension optimisation.

BILSTEIN B12 BTK: For optimum driving dynamics - the ideal blend of lowered springs and shock absorbers for first-rate fun at the wheel.

BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10: Threaded chassis (shock absorbers and springs) with individual lowering and an additional nine/ten times damping force adjustment - can also be re-set with the units in situ for compression and rebound phases.

BILSTEIN motor sports/customised suspension units: Single units made to the driver's specifications and to meet motor sports demands.

On which type of shock absorber is the damping force greater?

The BILSTEIN B6 Sport and BILSTEIN B8 Sprint have a higher damping force than the BILSTEIN B2 Oil and BILSTEIN B4 Gas shock absorbers. Elaborate driving trials are used to determine the damping force for each individual vehicle to ensure optimum driving performance on the road.

What is the difference between the 'black' BILSTEIN shock absorbers and the 'yellow' ones?

The 'black' ones are the BILSTEIN B2 Oil and BILSTEIN B4 Gas units which are used to replace faulty shock absorbers to regain the original driving performance. They are the classic, economical replacement part. The 'yellow' BILSTEIN B6 Sport and BILSTEIN B8 Sprint are our sporty shock absorbers. These products are designed for use in a wider range of applications, more sporty driving, lowering or for enhancing suspension.

How do you ensure that driving performance is optimised by the BILSTEIN shock absorbers?

New shock absorbers - whether they are black or yellow - are tested and tuned by our experienced suspension engineers in elaborate driving trials. Only when optimum performance has been achieved are the shock absorbers approved for series production.

Can I compensate for wear and tear on the BILSTEIN shock absorbers by 're-setting' them?

No, because that is not necessary with BILSTEIN units. The working piston on a BILSTEIN high-performance shock absorber has a larger diameter (36mm or 46mm) and so there is virtually no loss of damping force, even after extended use. This means that re-setting is unnecessary. However, should you wish for a customised damping force adjustment, then go for our B16 PSS9/10 complete suspension unit. This permits a nine-/tenfold adjustment of the damping force during compression and rebound, even later, with the units in situ.

What type of gas do the gas shock absorbers contain?

BILSTEIN gas shock absorbers contain nitrogen.

Are the BILSTEIN B2 Oil pressure and BILSTEIN B4 Gas pressure shock absorbers not too hard?

The original BILSTEIN B2 Oil and BILSTEIN B4 Gas units were developed as replacement parts for standard shock absorbers. They have the same damping force as the original parts. If the driver finds them firmer (or harder), that is because with time this driver has got used to a steadily poorer and more spongy driving performance with the faulty units. That is why some drivers find the change from a spongy driving feel to the new, original performance uncomfortable, even though it is not the fault of the shock absorber, it is just that the original driving performance has been reinstated. Precise damping transmits road unevenness more noticeably, but substantially increases the road holding of the wheels.

Does my new shock absorber wear as quickly as the original?

No, BILSTEIN's black units are designed in such a way that they have a longer service life whilst delivering the same performance.

Standard shock absorbers constantly lose damping performance and after a certain time they are worn out. BILSTEIN's black units do not have this marked wear curve; they maintain a constant damping performance for longer before they reach the end of their service life.

Do BILSTEIN's black units have an endless service life?

No, even BILSTEIN's black units suffer from wear and tear, so they do not last forever. The technology in them means, though, that their performance remains constant for much longer than original shock absorbers.

Can I achieve shorter braking distances with a mono-tube gas pressure shock absorber?

Yes, because the mono-tube gas pressure shock absorber provides much better ground contact between the wheels and the road, so braking distance can be minimised.

Down to which lowering level can the BILSTEIN B8 Sprint shock absorber be fitted?

Down to 50mm. The ideal depth for driving dynamics is however between 30mm and 40mm; any lower and the driving performance becomes poorer again, unless a major adjustment of the entire vehicle is carried out.

Down to which lowering level can I go with BILSTEIN B6 sports shock absorbers (not shortened) in conjunction with shorter springs?

Down to 30mm. That is what is typically offered for new vehicles straight from the factory. Any lower and a shock absorber with a shortened stroke has to be fitted, so that the spring tension - which ensures the required distance between the car body and the wheel - is maintained, whatever the driving situation. Otherwise the spring may slip out of its fitting and the vehicle will abruptly go out of control.

Can you shorten my shock absorbers for me?

Yes, our yellow sports shock absorbers can be shortened and the characteristic curves modified. Please contact our Customised Suspension Solutions department about this on the hotline number: +49 (0) 2333-791-4444.

Do the shortened shock absorbers have to be approved as a modification?

No, the General Type Approval does not cover the shock absorbers. Only if the zero position of a vehicle is changed does this need to be approved. A typical change to the zero position would be if different springs were fitted, as is the case, for example, if the vehicle is lowered.

Can I achieve asymmetrical lowering with the BILSTEIN suspension i.e. a wedge shape?

The vehicle is lowered mainly via the springs and not the shock absorbers. These have to be selected according to the lowering requirements. Otherwise the remaining spring travel is insufficient and the shock absorbers will be damaged. Asymmetrical lowering is possible using specially selected shocks or with BILSTEIN's threaded chassis B14 PSS or B16 PSS9/10. The threaded height-adjustable systems enable you to adjust the individual height for each axle. You can achieve a pure wedge shape with our BILSTEIN B10 suspension kit.

Do BILSTEIN shock absorbers push the car up?

The greater extension force of BILSTEIN gas pressure shock absorbers will at the most raise the vehicle slightly, compared with worn-out original shocks.

Down to which lowering level can I go with my vehicle with BILSTEIN B14 PSS or BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10 threaded chassis units?

Down to 60mm with some vehicles, although the ideal depth for driving dynamics is between 30mm and 40mm. You can find the maximum lowering figure for your vehicle in the expertise given in our online catalogue.

Which springs do you recommend?

We recommend BILSTEIN complete suspension units. These have undergone extensive driving trials and are perfectly tuned. If a complete suspension unit is not available, please contact our staff on +49 (0) 2333-791-4444.

Is the BILSTEIN B6 Sport shock absorber harder than the BILSTEIN B2 Oil or the B4 Gas shock absorber?

Basically the BILSTEIN B6 Sport shock absorber is designed for sporty drivers, as it provides firmer damping and thus better road holding.

What are the benefits of gas pressure shock absorbers versus oil pressure shock absorbers?

Right from the moment you set off, the mono-tube gas pressure shock absorber maintains a stable characteristic curve versus an oil pressure unit, because in the mono-tube gas pressure shock absorber the oil and gas are separate, so the oil cannot foam up. The mono-tube gas pressure shock absorber can be fitted regardless of position and thanks to the large effective area of its working piston, it provides more precise damping and greater damping forces than an oil pressure unit.

Can I replace a worn standard shock absorber with a sports shock absorber?

The black BILSTEIN B2 Oil and B4 Gas shock absorbers are equivalent in performance to the standard units in a new car. They raise driving safety and track stability back up to standard level. BILSTEIN B6 Sport shock absorbers have a greater damping force. With older cars, this compensates for a certain fatigue in the suspension and substantially improves driving performance, without being uncomfortable. Driving safety and track stability are perfectly tuned in elaborate driving trials.

I find my sports suspension too hard and would like something more comfortable!

It may be that your suspension unit is not properly tuned for your vehicle. BILSTEIN shock absorbers and complete suspension units are tested and tuned by our suspension engineers in elaborate driving trials to achieve a sporty but comfortable driving performance.

I have had new shock absorbers fitted and they seem to be knocking.

The reason why new shock absorbers can be felt knocking is often that the springs are too weak or too short. Not enough attention is paid to wear and tear on the springs in this context. For optimum road holding, shock absorbers and springs have to be seen as one. In the replacement sector, BILSTEIN has the B3 coil springs in Original Equipment quality. From BILSTEIN's point of view, the BILSTEIN B12 Tuning Kit, as well as the BILSTEIN B14 PSS and BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10 suspension units are the ideal combination, where the springs are tuned to suit the shock absorbers and form part of the set.

The BILSTEIN shock absorbers (BILSTEIN B8 Sprint) with rebound are still too long!

In this case, please contact our Customised Suspension Solutions department on the hotline number: +49 (0) 2333-791-4444.

What is a rebound?

A rebound is a sleeve pushed on to the piston rod between the damping piston and the tube seal. It shortens the stroke of the extending piston rod by the length of the sleeve.

The spring travel limiter or pressure stop in the strut cannot be shortened!

Through the mono-tube/inverted design of our struts, which mean high driving stability, the spring travel limiter is at the bottom of the system and accessing this is an elaborate process. If you have further questions on this subject, please speak to our service team on +49 (0) 2333-791-4444.

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Can the spring travel limiter or pressure stop in the shock absorber be shortened?

The spring travel limiter or pressure stop on the shock absorber can be taken over from the original unit or it can be replaced by a special bumper stop. A shorter spring travel limiter means a longer compression path which then does not allow the legally prescribed ground clearance. If the limiter is left off entirely, there is a danger with the BILSTEIN units that the piston hits the base valve and destroys the shock absorber.

Do BILSTEIN tuning shocks have a longer service life?

Yes, thanks to their technology, BILSTEIN tuning shocks have a longer service life. With the mono-tube design, the piston cross-section is larger than on other shock absorbers, reducing valve fatigue.

What is a BILSTEIN B12 Tuning Kit suspension unit?

A BILSTEIN Tuning Kit suspension unit is the ideal combination of a BILSTEIN shock absorber and a set of sport springs, as tested and approved by our suspension engineers. This unit is supplied as a complete package consisting of 4 shock absorbers respective springs.

What is the difference between a BILSTEIN B12 Tuning Kit suspension unit and the BILSTEIN B14 PSS/BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10 suspension unit?

The BILSTEIN B12 BTK suspension unit is a shock absorber and spring kit for lowering your vehicle by about 30mm. The B14 PSS and B16 PSS9/10 suspension kits are threaded chassis systems, which allow the height to be individually set. In addition, with the BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10, the rebound and compression phases can be hardness adjusted in parallel in nine/ten stages.

With the BILSTEIN B12 tuning Kit suspension unit, can I achieve an asymmetrical wedge-shaped lowering?

The wedge shape is determined primarily by the springs used. The springs supplied with the BILSTEIN B12 Tuning Kit suspension unit are the same length for the front and rear axle. This means that with the B12 BTK suspension unit, you cannot achieve a wedge shape. Should this nevertheless be your aim, we would recommend you go for our BILSTEIN B14 PSS or BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10 threaded height-adjustable systems, where you can set the height individually, according to the adjustment range indicated in the expertise supplied.

What is a threaded chassis?

Threaded height-adjustable suspension units (threaded chassis) have an external thread with screw-type spring cups that hold the springs. This means the vehicle body can be progressively lowered per axle according to the driver's individual requirements. Even after successful modification, the chassis can be adjusted within the permitted range.

What is the difference between the BILSTEIN B14 PSS and B16 PSS9/10?

Bothy are threaded chassis units that can be progressively height-adjusted. The B16 PSS9/10 also permits a nine-/tenfold adjustment of the damping force during compression and rebound, without requiring extra fitting.

What are the benefits of the BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/19 suspension unit?

Individual adjustment of the damping force on the front and rear axle with the unit in situ.

Does the BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10 suspension unit come with springs?

Yes, it is supplied as a complete suspension unit with the respective suspension springs.

With the BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10, can I adjust the height?

Yes, progressively - up to 60mm - via an external thread on the shock absorber.

For details, please check the expertise supplied by the German Technical Inspectorate (TÜV).

With the BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10, can I change the damping force later?

Yes, even when the unit is installed. Both the compression and the rebound, in nine/ten stages. Our suspension engineers work out nine/ten characteristic curves in rebound and compression stages in elaborate driving trials. These settings can be selected in parallel in rebound and compression using the adjuster wheel.

How do you set the damping force on the BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10?

There is an adjustment wheel at the end of the piston rod and you click this to set the rebound and compression phases in parallel. This can be done in a matter of minutes with the unit installed and without any tools.

With the BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10, do I set the height and damping force per axle or all together?

We recommend setting them per axle.

Does the BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10 come with a component expertise?

Yes, it comes with a component expertise.

Does the expertise apply to the entire setting range?

You can find the setting range in the expertise in our online catalogue.

Why is the BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10 suspension unit not available for all vehicles?

The BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10 was developed by BILSTEIN to offer motorists the experience and driving characteristics found in motor sports - at a reasonable price.
The range of suitable vehicles is constantly being extended.

The B16 PSS9/10 suspension unit is far more expensive than competitive products!

The BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10 threaded chassis sets standards in terms of quality, durability and damping technology. Mono-tube gas pressure/inverted technology has been tested in motor sports and experience gained there incorporated directly into standard development. BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10 threaded chassis are 'Made in Germany' - moreover, every chassis is thoroughly tested and tuned by our suspension engineers.

Is there already a BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10 suspension unit suitable for my vehicle?

The latest products are in the catalogue on the website: www.bilstein.de. If your vehicle is not listed there, please ring our service team - perhaps development for that vehicle has just been completed and the unit is now available: +49 (0) 2333-791-4444.

Who should I speak to about customised or motor sports suspension units?

If you want to discuss customised or motor sports suspension units, modifying characteristic curves or shortening shock absorbers, please contact our Customised suspension solutions department, hotline number: +49 (0) 2333-791-4444.

Can I have a rebound retrofitted in my shock absorber?

Please speak to our service team about this: +49 (0) 2333-791-4444.

Can I have gas pressure shock absorbers fitted on one axle if I have oil shocks fitted on the other?

Yes, but this should only be an interim solution. You can only optimise the entire driving performance if you have gas pressure shock absorbers fitted on all axles. Only then will you have the full benefit of gas pressure technology.

After exchanging the shock absorbers, I can hear noises. Where could these come from?

If you are replacing units that are worn, you should also exchange the support bearings as the rubber-metal links go soft or tear. If you didn't hear any noises before, you may hear a metallic knocking sound when the new shock absorbers have been fitted - this is often caused by the support bearings. Also, if the components have been fitted in the wrong order, this can cause noises.
Please contact our service team about fitting problems: +49 (0) 2333-791-4444.