Bilstein 5100 *rear* shocks - product quality?

(tried to post this in the Suspension forum, but didn't get enough response to have a definite answer)

Hi All,

Lifted my truck with .85 setting on new 5100s. I did not get the rears, thinking of getting them now and installing at home. I read a few stories here about them leaking soon after installing. Anyone here have been their set for a while with positive results? Please comment.

Thank you in advance,

 

I'm not 100% on what your asking, but I've had them on all 4 corners (I'm on my second set) for ~10 years now, and love them. They definitely improve ride quality over the stock Bilstiens.

 

Thank you. My question is - do they last. Saw some complaints on this site about them leaking early, especially the rear ones.

 

I've had mine on for 10k miles and have hit shit in the desert at 60 mph and beat the hell out of them and they are still holding up

 

The set I just replaced were on the truck for ~8 years, and there actually was a small wet spot on one of the rears after they were removed, but I never noticed any issues over the time span they were on the truck. I would recommend them all day.

 

I have them on the front with OME 883 coils and love them . Have had them for 2 years with no issues. I did have problems with the rears leaking . Two sets . I finally replaced them with Bilstein 4600 hd. Have had them for a year with no problems. My thoughts on that are that I was not lifted in the rear and I think that had something to do with why they leaked . Just my 2 cents! I would definitely recommend bilstein .
Nice looking truck !

 

No different than any other shock.

Some go bad prematurely.

 

I had a front leak after only a few months. The ride wasn't any better or worse than the OEM shocks they replaced. Put a set on the wife's 4Runner recently. No leaks yet.

 

Had the rears put on my 2005, never leaked... and 5100s are now on my 2010, along with the front 5100s. No problems I know of. The stock, yellow Bilsteins (rears, with under 80,000 miles were leaking and shot). The 5100s are much, much more of a shock than the yellow ones.

 

Thank you all, makes me feel more confident. How does changing the rears affect the ride? No lift in the back, OEM 4-leaf suspension.

 

Unless you're replacing blown shocks I doubt you'll notice much of a difference. It's basically a stock replacement shock. Nothing magical about it.

 

I didn't notice any difference between the 5100's and the 4600hd in ride and handling . When I replaced the leaky 5100's I put the 4600hd side by side and they where the same size and langht. I think the valving is just a little different is all . But not anoght to feel the difference.

 

The 5100s are noticeably bigger shock, more dampening effect. I am not a racer with my truck so, in daily use, no difference except my stock rears were blown, so in my case big improvement!

 

My rear 5100s started leaking 6 months after I installed last year. I emailed back and forth with ToyTec about a warranty repair and swap but it would require finding another shock temporarily for the rears so the bad ones could go back to Bilstein for inspection then they would send replacements. That was too much of a hassle so I bought 5160s and have not had any problems with them.

 

Interesting. What do 5160's do different? They look a lot more complicated...

 

They have a separate oil reservoir which is overkill for my use but it looks cool.

 

So, if you get the rears, you'll likely not have a leak issue, but keep the OEM shocks just in case you do have a problem and need to send the 5100s back for a swap.

 

I like the ride of my truck and it has good on road manners for a 3" lifted truck with 285/70r17s but I can't tell you if it rides different from OEM because of the order of progression that my build took.

I minorly notice concrete seams on the interstate and I love to hit speed bumps with speed in parking lots because the suspension just absorbs the bumps.