Bilstein 5100 sprung an oil leak?!?!

I'll be the first to admit I know next to nothing about shocks. All I know is that about 6.5 years and 58k miles ago I put Bilstein 5100's on all four corners of my '02 Tacoma and they've performed flawlessly ever since.

Today I had a load of wood on the back of my truck - it was loaded down, but definitely not the heaviest payload I've ever had on the back. When I got home and walked around my truck I noticed a spray of what appeared to be dirty oil on the concrete. A quick look revealed that fluid had apparently sprayed out of the top of the rear/passenger side shock. I thought these were gas shocks???

Can someone please school me on what the hell happened to that shock? And, is it a safe assumption I need to replace the rears?

 

They are, fluid-filled gas shocks... Regardless, they don't blow often but they do like any other shock can, pretty sure you could get it replaced w/reciet, go back to where you got them or contact Bilstein corp. direct

 

Thanks, I'll dig in to see if I can get a replacement. I had no idea there was an appreciable amount of fluid in a gas shock. I guess I need to seek out some Google education...

 

Happened to me once... very long time ago, I think with the original shock? Walked out of work and there was a small puddle under the rear shock. I could push that corner of the truck down with my hand.

 

You know, I was looking to see what a set of replacements would cost and I noticed one eBay ad stated that these shocks (5100 series; F4-BE5-D559-T0 & F4-BE5-D560-T0) are not intended for a Tacoma at stock height, only those with a 1"-2.5" rear lift. It's been awhile, but I don't remember that being a stipulation when I purchased and installed them. Does that sound right to you guys? If it is true, could that have contributed to the early failure?

 

You must lift, you so strong

 

Yup its fucked and its upside down but that doesnt really matter on this style of shock it just bugs me that the letters are upside down

 

Maybe... but I think you're flirting with the wrong guy.

 

Your the one who could push your truck down with 1 hand, and its a joke

 

hahahah.... you joke, I joke, we all good.

But a lotta people can say, you can bounce the rear corner of a first gen a good 12 inches with a broken or missing shock.

 

I bet my s10s shocks were blown and tbh it made for a really squishy ride lol kinda fun on intersections lol like a half ass long travel

 

That's odd, I put the replacements on in the same orientation as the OE shocks?

 

I literally bought a new suspension with bilstein 5100 Less than a month ago and my front driver side shock started leaking oil immediately. I contacted headstrong off-road and they said they may or may not be covered under warranty. So I have to buy a new shock, pay for it to be installed again and pay to have the old one shipped so they can test it and maybe reimburse me. Such a headache..