Warning to Third Gen. Users of the 2nd Gen. 5100's!

Back in June of 2016, I was part of the frenzy that bought the 2nd Gen. Bilstein 5100, off of the Jet.com website, at a sizable discount. I am now regretting that purchase. After about 10,000 miles, I noticed some type of substance that was dripping off of the LCA. I took it into the shop where I had them installed and they confirmed that the front driver side strut was leaking. I called Bilstein Warranty department and I was told they would not warrant the strut! The warranty was invalidated because of the incorrect application; installing them on a 3rd Gen.

I decided to do a little research and I found some interesting information. On June 16th, the "official" release from Bilstein came out that the Gen 2 5100's were the correct model for the 2016 Tacoma (see #152, of this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/5100s-for-2016-3rd-gen-tacos.432980/page-8).

The following day, I purchased a set of four shocks. However, on June 22, the Bilstein website changed and the page that listed the 24-239370 (front) and the

$91 24-186728 5100 Series Shock Absorber

24-186728 (rear) as the correct fitment for the 2016 Tacoma was no longer available.

Now I have to contact them again, but with this new information. We'll see if I can get some type of restitution, since my purchased was based on their own erroneous information. Even if they agree to replace the bad unit, I still have issues. If they replace it with the correct model, I would still need to replace the other one, too, so I have a matched set. In an ideal situation, they would replace all four, since they are responsible for me making the wrong purchase. I doubt that will happen, but I can only hope we can work out some type of acceptable agreement.

Has anybody else had problems with the 2nd Gen Bilsteins on their 3rd Gen truck? If so, did you get them replaced under warranty?

 

Sounds like just buying a new one would be easier than worrying about the leaking one. 5100s are cheap

 

The link on post #152 is dead.

 

This gon be good

 

Corporations are not stupid and they never admit to liability that’s why they put we are not responsible for typographical errors.

 

While that is mostly true, fortunately many of them are staffed with people who can make discretionary decisions, which is what is needed here. I can see them doing the right thing if the OP has supporting docs.

 

I would probably say the right thing to do would be 1 new 5100 if under warranty. I would not expect 4 new shocks, but I guess it doesn't hurt to ask

 

The link is dead because they removed the page. However, I took screenshots of the page before they took it down. I referenced #152 because it shows, on that date, there was a link on the website.

A typo is transposing a couple of numbers in an ad. I believe this was a deliberate action by Bilstein. The application guide for the strut already existed. It was a conscious act to add the 2016 truck to that guide. Once they realized their error, they removed the reference. By then, the damage was done.
It will be interesting to see what kind of customer service/goodwill I receive.

 

This is one of the reasons I decided not to put Gen2 6112s on my Gen3...

 

Welcome to the world of Bilstein warranties.

I’ve posted about them a few times..

 

Isn't the suspension basically the same on the two generations? What would make a shock only suitable for one or the other?

Shocks leak, especially cheaper ones like 5100's. I doubt the application had anything to do with it.

I say they owe you a new shock, but expecting 4 new shocks when 3 aren't leaking? Not likely.

 

Really interested in the outcome of this. I've heard stories of Bilstein saying it was "normal" for their shocks to have some leakage. Here's another thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bilstein-5100-seepage-leaking-hydraulic-fluid-fountain.418230/

I've had 5100s on my first gen for about a year or so with no problems so far... Guess time will tell. Funny thing is I had originally gone with a set of Rancho QuickLift leveling shocks up front. I started to hear a little squeaking and sent them an email asking if there was something I could do about it. Next thing I knew I had an email telling me they were sending out a new set of shocks for free. Never asked me anything. Showed up at my door in less than a week. I hope Bilstein does as well as Rancho.

 

Hey homeboy, Bilstein is in Poway. Why don’t you just head over there with your screen shots and tell them what’s up.

Show em this thread too where you’re accusing them of deliberately misleading their customers and then trying to cover it up.
And demand they replace all 4 shocks, install them for you, and buy you lunch while you wait or else you’re going to blow up Their shi on the Internet.

 

a blown shock at 10k no matter on a 2nd gen or 3rd seems a little ridiculous especially a bilstien product.

 

The offense you seem to be taking here is unwarranted. If they listed it on their website before realizing that was wrong, and that listing caused a person to purchase a product, he would be well within his right and reason to ask that it be replaced.

 

This post is not about warranting leakage. The issue is that they are telling me my warranty is void!

LOL! First off, I am not saying there is a cover-up or anything nefarious going on. For 99.9% of the cases, Bilsteins would be correct in stating it is a wrong application of the strut, since only a very small percent of those who bought this strut ever saw the 2016 inclusion.

 

What did the four shocks cost you in June of 2016?

 

A lot less than today's replacement cost! front pair: $137; rears: $105. For comparison, the front strut is $96 each on Amazon.

The real cost is substantially more, when you include the cost to get them installed.
The Truck Shop said it would cost me $245 to R&R the one strut ($115 for the strut). And they have some of the best prices in town.

 

since the suspensions are so similar, I'm guessing they included 2016 until they could finish R+D and start producing a 3rd gen specific model number.

It would be interesting to know the actual difference. It's probably minuscule.

OP go buy another 2nd gen shock and put it on. Then take the blown one back in a month with your recent receipt and tell them it blew and you want a refund. Tell them you got tired of them leaking and went another direction.

 

If I remember correctly that's pretty close. They haven't gone up much in price. Guess that means they haven't got much better either...