Leaky 5100's

How reliable are 5100's ? How long do they usually last with moderate off road use ? seems like a lot have been returned due to oil leaks. I was debating ordering these until i read the negative reviews.

Do you have them and would you recommend them ?

 

They're not great shocks, but they aren't expensive and they're the cheapest means of lift available which makes them popular.

They have a warranty, but Bilstein doesn't really give a damn about it and you're always going to end up paying out of pocket for a replacement no matter what.

So.. they're decent. Most don't have problems, some do. When they do, you buy another.

 

Sounds risky

 

I've had my 5100s on for a few months now, maybe 7k miles. I've done quite a bit of off-roading, I go out almost every weekend. I do mostly moderate rock crawling stuff. I never do 'go-fast' off-roading. My shocks have held up great, no leaks.

That said, I know of a couple guys I wheel with that have 5100s and have had them start leaking (one guy blew his rears out completely) and they were both always going fast over washboards and ruts. If that's your thing, then go with performance shocks (Kings, Icons, Fox, etc.).

 

Icon has as many issues with oil leaks, if it helps.

 

Kings/ADS/Fox.. and Icon a distant second.

 

I've got a busted one to send back right now off the wife's Tahoe!!! I've had 3 sets before these with no problems but this one only lasted 10k miles and is shot

 

I'd keep it..

Their warranty is pretty limiting, and they have the options to deny warranty coverage, to replace the shock for you, or pro-rate a replacement that you buy directly from them and then they ship back to you.

Once you pay shipping for the shock to go to them and either get declined coverage (most likely according to reviews) or you get a pro-rated discount on a replacement, plus shipping cost from Bilstein to your house for the new shock, you'd have spent more than the cost of a new shock.

Which is why the warranty is written like it is, Bilstein doesn't lose any money and reserves full control.

 

These would be going on a new 2017. I wanted a small lift nothing crazy. Seems like going the 5100 rout may just be a headache / downgrade

Might just do a .5 top plate in the front and .5 shims in the rear for now. has anyone done this ? Does it sit level ? how is the ride quality? small blocks shouldnt hurt much