toyota's williness to replace stock bilsteins ?

[timmer]

I got a long warranty with my 08 TRD but Im wondering how bad the stock bilsteins have to be to get toyota to replace them. I figure that few if any even try to get them replaced free of charge. and those who do are likely turned down unless they are truly f00ked.

Have any of you folks out there had your stock bilsteins replaced under warranty?

How bad off where they?

I understand that Bilsteins bought through a regular parts place have a lifetime warranty. It would be cool if someone could post the warranty page from your factory 5100's

I dont know what type of warranty downsouth has on their special build 5100"s

from what I can gather the stock bilstein's start to breakdown between 11,000 and 36,000 miles. I figure faster under off road use.

I wonder how those of you who have the earlier year 2nd gen taco's still feel your stock bilsteins are holding up.

I know some of you feel they are going away rather quickly.

would those of you who have a vast amount of experiance give the rest of us an Idea of what to expect or look/feel for when our stock bilsteins are going away and we should attempt to get them replaced?

All opinions , comments , and facts appreciated, as long as they are duly catagorized

timmer

[chris4x4]

The OEM Bilstiens are not a good shock. A step above stock Tokicos? Barely. If or when you decide to replace them, the 5100 series shock offers superior dampening. So do the RSX, and 9000 from Rancho. The OEM shocks heat up FAST when pushed and loose all dampening. Personaly, OEM shocks now days are such garbage that they are the first thing taken off the truck and replaced when I get it.

[timmer]

Hate to be a nitpicker but...

<"Originally, an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) was a company that supplied equipment to other companies to resell or incorporate into another product using the reseller's brand name.<snip> More recently, OEM is used to refer to the company that acquires a product or component and reuses or incorporates it into a new product with its own brand name">

so you are saying that you are of the opinion that bilsteins are no good?
as neither of these definitions fit because the shocks are clearly labled and marketed as Bilstein. what I think you are trying to opine may be an assumption on my part or a simple miscommunication on our part..

Are you of the opinion that the shocks bilstein supplied to toyota that bear the bilstein name & that are the original equipment on the TRD taco are in some manner less potent that the aftermarket shocks we are discussing.

I take it you havent attempted to get the originals replaced on warranty at any time?

am I correct in these assertions ?

TIA

timmer

[chris4x4]

Originally Posted by timmer

so you are saying that you are of the opinion that bilsteins are no good?

No. Like I said in my first post, The 5100 series shocks are a fantastic shock. The ones that come on the TRD package are marginal.

Originally Posted by timmer

Are you of the opinion that the shocks bilstein supplied to toyota that bear the bilstein name & that are the original equipment on the TRD taco are in some manner less potent that the aftermarket shocks we are discussing.

Yes.

Originally Posted by timmer

I take it you havent attempted to get the originals replaced on warranty at any time?

No. As mentioned, I replace them at first oppertunity.

[timmer]

thanks for your input chris4x4.

and give that puppy a pat for me

[chris4x4]

Originally Posted by timmer

thanks for your input chris4x4.

and give that puppy a pat for me

Your quite welcome, Timmer. And Molly just received a pat on her head.

[Anthony]

what are the model bilsteins that come on the truck?

[chris4x4]

Originally Posted by Anthony

what are the model bilsteins that come on the truck?

Not sure. You can only get them thru Toyota.
At the bottom of the shock, at least on mine, where it says "Bilstien" just under that there should be a #. Then Under the # it says "Toyota". Which is why I refer to them as "OEM" shocks.

[Anthony]

i always had the impression bilsteins were great shocks regardless, didnt think they made a "cheap crappy" shock.

[chris4x4]

Originally Posted by Anthony

i always had the impression bilsteins were great shocks regardless, didnt think they made a "cheap crappy" shock.

Bilstien makes a great shock, just the ones that come on the TRD model dont hold enough oil and heat up quickly. They dampen how Toyota told them. The 5100 searies Bilstien is FAR superior to the stock ones in every way.

[Ridgerunner]

I am in total agreement with Chris. The "origional" equipment shocks are IMO a 'reasonable mockup' by Bilstein for Toyota-basically just to get shocks onto the damm truck! And by the way Chris was accurate in his reference to those shocks as OEM because they are built FOR Toyota BY Bilstein to be used EXCLUSIVELY for Toyota's trucks only.

[chris4x4]

Originally Posted by Ridgerunner

I am in total agreement with Chris. The "origional" equipment shocks are IMO a 'reasonable mockup' by Bilstein for Toyota-basically just to get shocks onto the damm truck! And by the way Chris was accurate in his reference to those shocks as OEM because they are built FOR Toyota BY Bilstein to be used EXCLUSIVELY for Toyota's trucks only.

Thank you, Captain. ( said in the Mr. Spock tone)

[timmer]

Any way back to the original question.

how willing is Toyota to replace by warranty the stock bilsteins on their TRD trucks?

[chris4x4]

Originally Posted by timmer

Any way back to the original question.

how willing is Toyota to replace by warranty the stock bilsteins on their TRD trucks?

In my experince with the dealers by my house, they arnt. One guy tried to warranty them saying they were too stiff, to which the Service Guy said " its a truck, thats how they ride. Another guy tore one in half when we were 4x4'ing and the Toyota Guy siad it was " abuse". SO, if you think you have something wrong with them, give it a shot. Your dealer may be more likely to exchange them. If not, you wont be dissapointed with the 5100 series.

[mcdufws]

I just had to TSB, can already tell it rides better. The dealer wouldn't install the front 5100's I bought because he said it would "void the warranty on the suspension because it's an aftermarket part" is this true or did he just not want to do the work? also he tried to charge $370 for the parts and said only the labor was under warranty, until I let them know I wasn't paying that and it was all under the TSB.

[chris4x4]

Originally Posted by mcdufws

I just had to TSB, can already tell it rides better. The dealer wouldn't install the front 5100's I bought because he said it would "void the warranty on the suspension because it's an aftermarket part" is this true or did he just not want to do the work? also he tried to charge $370 for the parts and said only the labor was under warranty, until I let them know I wasn't paying that and it was all under the TSB.

Installing shocks isnt going to void any warranty. The guy is an idiot.

[apexbill]

Originally Posted by mcdufws

I just had to TSB, can already tell it rides better. The dealer wouldn't install the front 5100's I bought because he said it would "void the warranty on the suspension because it's an aftermarket part" is this true or did he just not want to do the work? also he tried to charge $370 for the parts and said only the labor was under warranty, until I let them know I wasn't paying that and it was all under the TSB.

So what dealer was it just so we all know who was trying to over-charge you?

[tacomaman06]

Originally Posted by mcdufws

I just had to TSB, can already tell it rides better. The dealer wouldn't install the front 5100's I bought because he said it would "void the warranty on the suspension because it's an aftermarket part" is this true or did he just not want to do the work? also he tried to charge $370 for the parts and said only the labor was under warranty, until I let them know I wasn't paying that and it was all under the TSB.

that guy was taking you for a ride man. they would have to prove that the bilstein 5100's caused a suspension problem for it to void the warranty........seems to me they were just lazy!!


and as far as the bilstein oem shocks....as in the ones on the 06 prerunner i had........i gotta say that even though they were oem, they were way better than any monroe, gabriel, or tokico oem shock i have ever seen and rode on. also gotta agree......the bilstein 5100's are alot better than any other shock i have used as a replacement too.