[Oggie50]

Got Some Sport Bilsteins today. AJUSA.com hooked it up with a 10% discount. Will be putting this on soon. Will post pix up after done.

24-265511
24-065504

 

[lebowski]

Excellent shock. Excellent choice.

But before you put them on, put these on:

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/s...product_info&cPath=23_374_379&products_id=975

At $20 plus shipping for the four, it would be crime not to protect your new Bilsteins.

 

[Oggie50]

Thanks! Was gonna go with c/o's but this will do. I've ridden in a miata with Tein vs Bilsteins sport and Tein Springs. Yes there is an advantage but not for the money you would pay for Tein's. I'm not going to be in competition (for now) and just want the pure sport out of the car. I also got some RB springs, now i need to get some sway bars.

Excellent shock. Excellent choice.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

You don't need dust boots unless you live in a VERY dusty area; sandstorm levels of dust. Modern shocks have advanced seals around the shock shaft to protect it. Notice AFCO/Xida don't have dust boots.

If you want to protect the shocks, buy high quality bumpstops. FM and FatCat are popular.

I liked the adjust-ability of my FM bars. What are your spring rates? That and basic driver preference dictate sway selection.

 

[Zabadee]

Nice Oggie, I just ordered these yesterday. Pairing them up with some H&R's, can't wait until they come in. Enjoy!!

 

[lebowski]

You don't need dust boots unless you live in a VERY dusty area; sandstorm levels of dust. Modern shocks have advanced seals around the shock shaft to protect it. Notice AFCO/Xida don't have dust boots.

I don't buy this argument. Have a look at your old shocks and tell me they don't take a beating under there. There's **** flying all over the place under there, the shocks are getting hammered, and it shows.

Sure the seals are good, and durable, but they're not magic. I look at them as a second line of defense, and they should never have to deal with the coarser rocks and grit. And why wouldn't you fork over a twenty to give the shocks every chance possible to never require replacement while you own the car. If you need any more reasons than those, the Bilstein blue dust covers look good.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I don't buy this argument. Have a look at your old shocks and tell me they don't take a beating under there. There's **** flying all over the place under there, the shocks are getting hammered, and it shows.

Sure the seals are good, and durable, but they're not magic. I look at them as a second line of defense, and they should never have to deal with the coarser rocks and grit. And why wouldn't you fork over a twenty to give the shocks every chance possible to never require replacement while you own the car. If you need any more reasons than those, the Bilstein blue dust covers look good.

The shock deals with fine dirt, water, and a mixture of the two. Yes, the boots protect, but not that much. If you want the shocks to live a long life, avoid rough roads. 10,000 miles of potholes are much worse than dusty water. The shafts on my 89,000 mile stock shocks gleamed. The boots were destroyed, and the car lived in salty Columbus.

Again, you shell out $2k for Afcos, and you don't get dust boots. Because you don't need them. The seals are pretty amazing stuff, but like you said, they're not magic. IMO $20 isn't worth it for some OTS bilsteins. If they do somehow have a shorter life, that means the OP can send them out for a rebuild sooner, and run some serious springs.

 

[lebowski]

The primary killer of shocks isn't seal wear, it's nicks and dings on the shaft. The seals don't protect the shafts; only the boots do. Have a rock ding your shaft, and your shock will leak. OTS Bilsteins are among the best shocks available anywhere at any price. Me, I spend the $20 and smile every time I look under the car.

 

[lebowski]

If you want the shocks to live a long life, avoid rough roads.

You mean like these?

http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/showpost.php?p=659501&postcount=144

But I concede we're talking about two different animals.

 

[ein86]

Again, you shell out $2k for Afcos, and you don't get dust boots. .............................. If they do somehow have a shorter life, that means the OP can send them out for a rebuild sooner, and run some serious springs.

Higher price does not dictate whether or not a shock should come with a dust boot. $2700 worth of Ohlins will get you dust boots. Every Tein from $700 to $2000 will get you dust boots (according to pictures/prices on 949's site). Its cheap protection that will let the OP (or anyone) have a better chance at getting the shocks rebuilt when he wants to as opposed to when the shaft gets damaged, which I'd imagine a damaged shaft will also increase the price of a rebuild as well..

 

[Oggie50]

I'll look into getting some bump stops. Last time I'll talked to the bilstein tech guys they said if they release their shock with a boot then it's needed. Most of Their offroad shocks 5100, 5125, 7100 etc don't use boots unless it's used for extreme offroad / mud. Fox, king don't use them. Inside the bilsteins they use an internal wiper that cleans or wipes the shock for debris. Boots actually traps dirt scratching the surface which will cause more damage and/or traps moisture and rusts the shock. The shock rod is made from harden steel which makes bilstein more superior than any other shock. Another good thing of why i chose bilstein is Since I'm in San Diego and bilstein is in poway I can drop them off to get rebuilt or revalved if I change springs rates and to better fine tune my suspension. Im sure I'm not done with my suspension but it's still within my budget and can grow with my needs I'm not a full on racer but will be hitting up track days and some
Autox/scca events this year.

By the way got a good deal as I used their promo code "toy10" for the 10% off. They are direct with bilstein so there is no middle man to deal with. Ordered them on thursday and picked them up today.

 

[xjdesertfox]

I used to run offroad race trucks. I used to run Kings and sway a ways, never with boots. 80mph+ in the deserts of socal, never once had a problem with running bootless.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

The primary killer of shocks isn't seal wear, it's nicks and dings on the shaft. The seals don't protect the shafts; only the boots do. Have a rock ding your shaft, and your shock will leak. OTS Bilsteins are among the best shocks available anywhere at any price. Me, I spend the $20 and smile every time I look under the car.

Valve failure and internal damage is what actually kills shocks. Those shock shafts aren't made of cardboard. :dunno:

But based on those pictures you posted, I'd consider boots. :mrgreen:

 

[lebowski]

Scott, I am glad to see we have come to a meeting of the minds. Cheers!

Jim

 

[Aus Rotten]

Oggie50, what springs are you gonna use? I put bilsteins on my 94 with threaded sleeves instead of the perches and NB top hats. I will post pics tomorrow. I have Eibach springs on the rear (unknown rate) and cheap ebay springs, (cut a coil and 1/2) on the front. Junk. I'm just trying to figure out what springs will be better than what I have.

 

[Oggie50]

Hey, I got the sport bilsteins and using racing beat springs 54018 & 54019's. Picked up these springs for cheap so I can't complain. I have yet to install these and will take pics when done. I'll plan to do ground control c/o kit and eibach springs at a later time.

 

[Aus Rotten]

[/IMG]

Heres my rears, (Tein not Eibachs) I called Tein, I have 336lb, 70mm inner diameter and 6" springs. You can see how much threads I have left with 6" springs. I need to get some front springs next, Id like to see your set up when done. thanks

 

[Oggie50]

My set up with Racing Beat Springs. I trimmed the bump stops and reused the boots. Haven't had the time to install. Will post up when completed.

 

[GatorXTi]

What are the spring rate limits on the Sports?

 

[silvermazda]

Aus at what height are you?