bilstein shocks are pissing me off

[turnandburn]

I have an 07 Tundra with the TRD offroad package, that come with bilstein shocks front and back. The problem im having is that on the rear shocks the upper PLASTIC cover that protects the shaft keeps falling down and exposing the shaft. I took it back to Toyota at 1300kms and they replaced the whole shock. I thought that maybe i had a garbage shock from the factory, but no They both keep falling down every F ing day now and is really starting to get on my nerves. I took it bakc to Toyota and they told me that they are getting packed with mud, causing them to fall down and that there is nothing they can do about it. Funny thing is that when the cover is down around the bottom of the shock, of course its going to fill up with mud. So they cleaned it out pushed it back up and sent me on my way. I drove home witch is about 1hour away, all pavement and both covers had fallen down. I will be taking it back to Toyota to see if they will replace them with a different style of shock but am not going to hold my breath. If they won't I will just replace them my self. I was wonding if anyone has had this problem before, and if i have a good reason to be pissed off, or am i just picky? Other than that little problem the truck has been perfect.

Tyler

[Deznutjob]

Originally Posted by turnandburn

I have an 07 Tundra with the TRD offroad package, that come with bilstein shocks front and back. The problem im having is that on the rear shocks the upper PLASTIC cover that protects the shaft keeps falling down and exposing the shaft. I took it back to Toyota at 1300kms and they replaced the whole shock. I thought that maybe i had a garbage shock from the factory, but no They both keep falling down every F ing day now and is really starting to get on my nerves. I took it bakc to Toyota and they told me that they are getting packed with mud, causing them to fall down and that there is nothing they can do about it. Funny thing is that when the cover is down around the bottom of the shock, of course its going to fill up with mud. So they cleaned it out pushed it back up and sent me on my way. I drove home witch is about 1hour away, all pavement and both covers had fallen down. I will be taking it back to Toyota to see if they will replace them with a different style of shock but am not going to hold my breath. If they won't I will just replace them my self. I was wonding if anyone has had this problem before, and if i have a good reason to be pissed off, or am i just picky? Other than that little problem the truck has been perfect.

Tyler

There is a little lip at the top of Bilstein shock boots where you should be able to use a heavy duty zip tie or some stainless steel tie wire to keep them from sliding down. The hard part may be accessing the top of the shock. If I were off roading all the time I would do something about that before taking it out again. You might cause the seals to leak then the shocks would br crap. Remove the shocks and do what ya gotta do bro. G-Tek!

[turnandburn]

I have thought about that, it can be done but why should i have to do that in the first place, you think for an offroad package they would give you something that would work and not have to be rigged to work. The zip tie will work for awhile, until i go to wash it and the f ing things are down again, and i am back to being pissed again. Simple solution, different shocks. All i wanted to know is if im the only one.

[Deznutjob]

Originally Posted by turnandburn

I have thought about that, it can be done but why should i have to do that in the first place, you think for an offroad package they would give you something that would work and not have to be rigged to work. The zip tie will work for awhile, until i go to wash it and the f ing things are down again, and i am back to being pissed again. Simple solution, different shocks. All i wanted to know is if im the only one.

Dude quit pointin that thing at me! I would contact Bilstein and say, W.T.F? Then get the solution from them so you can stick it in the Toyota mechanic's or service writer's face.BILSTEIN

[turnandburn]

"Dude quit pointin that thing at me!" It took me a little while till i figured it out. lol. Sorry, I cant help it. Thats a good idea, ill see what bilstein has to say.

[RunItHard]

Originally Posted by turnandburn

The problem im having is that on the rear shocks the upper PLASTIC cover that protects the shaft keeps falling down and exposing the shaft.

I've had this problem on a couple of my trucks with boot protectors. On one I used heavy duty zip ties I pulled tight with pliers, and on the other set I actually glued the top of the boot with marine grade Goop adhesive. Both fixes worked for me.

[Deznutjob]

Originally Posted by RunItHard

I've had this problem on a couple of my trucks with boot protectors. On one I used heavy duty zip ties I pulled tight with pliers, and on the other set I actually glued the top of the boot with marine grade Goop adhesive. Both fixes worked for me.

That marine goop is insane! It holds everything and anything. I keep a tube of it everywhere! The best fix actually is to slide the cover down all the way, clean the top 4" of the shaft or piston rod with soap and water and dry it real good, then do about 3 or 4 wraps of a quality 3M electrical tape around the rod about 2" from the top. Now slip the cover up above the tape and tie wrap it. This will prevent the cover from slipping below the wrapping of tape. Give it a shot!

[2008_CrewMax]

Originally Posted by Deznutjob

That marine goop is insane! It holds everything and anything. I keep a tube of it everywhere! The best fix actually is to slide the cover down all the way, clean the top 4" of the shaft or piston rod with soap and water and dry it real good, then do about 3 or 4 wraps of a quality 3M electrical tape around the rod about 2" from the top. Now slip the cover up above the tape and tie wrap it. This will prevent the cover from slipping below the wrapping of tape. Give it a shot!

thats actually a really good idea

[turnandburn]

I will give that a shot today when i hve time. Great idea.

[rtql8]

Just to add some color to this, let me include some perspective from another angle. I am very involved in the offroad 4x4 arena and nobody, I mean nobody with a lot of experience uses or wants to use shock boots. It's a widely agreed upon fact that the boot traps more crap that's detrimentle to the shocks longevity and we all run in the harshest environments without them. The majority, maybe not all, but most of those boots have holes in them in the first place, so why would they design them that way? They may have a cool factor, but functionally they are close to useless. I don't have them on my offroad built Jeep. Never have, never will. Have I taken them off my TRD CM, no, and I'm not much concerned either way as it's a street/tow rig only. If they start to fall off, then they'll get cut off straight away.

[Deznutjob]

Yup I was gonna mention that in my first post but I just thought turnandburn was being picky. I was gonna post some pics of my bootless Fox shox but got into a fix for him instead. I say cut em off!