Bilstein leaks

6112/5160 combo with Dakar’s. Had it 2 years, maybe 50k road miles. Midas oil change and tire rotation and the guy told me all my shocks are leaking. He showed me darker/stained area of oil I assume around the bases of each. Honestly idk if it’s actually leaking… saw no actual leaking other than what he pointed out. I’ve sprayed a lot of anti-rust stuff throughout the life of the truck so not sure if it’s just that he’s seeing? But he also said my tires weren’t that even on wear due to shocks not working right.

question is, how is this possible, and what are my options? Truck seems to ride the same it always has. Would this be a warranty thing? I just dropped a lot of money on this 2 years ago so wondering if he’s trying to make it worse so I’d buy shocks from him.

 

Clean the shocks and monitor them for the leaks. That combo should last more then 50k but its strange all 4 would be leaking at the same time. Do you off road the truck at all?
Do your tires seem to be wearing odd? Have you checked the alignment? Highly doubt you could warranty claim anything after 2 years and 50k.

 

looks like this. I remember spraying fluid film on the shocks to clean them so not sure if that’s what he’s seeing. Tires have ok wear, nothing crazy. I’m getting the sense this guy is trying to upsell.

 

Midas oil change? Those people are always looking for something to sell

 

He then tried to get me to

he tried to get me to get all new pads and rotors too. I do need them soon, but yeah this place is like that which is why I’m asking everyone here

 

I don’t off road… maybe once a year on dunes at the beach. He said the rears would need it first and suggested they aren’t long enough but headstrong/Marie said they should be fine with Dakar mediums

 

I would tell them to go pound sand. 4 leaking shocks at the same time and yet you cant even see them leaking? Ya upselling like crazy to try and make up for the shutdown we had.

 

and you dont need rotors at 50k either unless you have some brake pulsating going on.

 

Yeah thanks guys. I also meant to ask... lets say all of my shocks are leaking a little. Wouldn't I feel it in the ride as well? And wouldn't I see oil stains in my garage from them leaking? All the guy pointed out was that there was a little oil/dark/dampness surrounding the body of the shocks, which may or may not be my fuild film I used when cleaning them a few times in the past year or two. Wonder if there is another way to know if they are leaking or not?

Also, I can't afford replacing my shocks right now, as 2 years ago I dropped 3k on everything. Can you still ride around if they are leaking? The thing is, the truck still feels like it did from day one of the install so I'm still iffy on if all my shocks are magically "shot".

 

Does the pic I posted look OK?

 

another photo. Other side pretty much looks the same.

 

I wouldn't worry about it

 

Mine look like that with 50k on them. I’m not worried about it. The shocks are pretty cheap themselves already and super easy to install yourself. I’ll probably replace at 100k

 

As suggested clean ‘em up and keep an eye on them yourself. I recently had my oil changed at a quick lube and they told me I had a bad power steering fluid leak. It was fluid film I had applied earlier this year.

 

Your good

 

Thanks. Sounds like maybe the guy saw the darker stains and mistook for leaking? If my shocks were in bad shape are there any tell take signs? Good to hear they look ok.

 

Yeah is this common to have guys totally try and rip you off?

 

What happens if you ride on leaky shocks for a while? Granted I’m not even sure if mine are all leaking anyways

 

Sounds like you're not much of an automotive DIY'r.

Which, BTW, there is no shame in, regardless of how much some of us promote and enjoy it.

What I would suggest is making the effort to find a quality independent shop with a long term staff and reputation for honesty.

Let them do your work, not the guy that just got canned from Mickey D's because he couldn't fry 'em fast enough.

PS, being in salt country, you have protected your frame from corrosion with a quality product, correct?

 

My last Midas experience is decades ago. They were known for trying to sell you stuff you don’t need. I avoid those kinds of places. Only on rare occasions will I go to the local quick lube for an oil change. And they too love to come walking into the waiting area with peoples air filters in their hands trying to make and add on sale. Find a reputable privately owned shop and take your business there.