Questions and contact
- Before installation, we always recommend reading the installation instructions.
- Installation may only be carried out by qualified personnel.
- The material must be checked for completeness.
- Never use an impact wrench to tighten suspension components, as this will result in excessive torque and damage to the suspension cannot be ruled out.
- Never make changes outside the tested area.
- Avoid impermissible combinations (shock absorber, spring and other suspension components).
- Wheel alignment and axle setting must always be taken from the vehicle manufacturer.
Strictly speaking, the expiry date is the storage life date. This must definitely be observed until the first operation, because the air spring is partly pre-filled with a nitrogen filling of 3-5 bar and the air spring bellows are protected against folding / buckling / deformation during storage.
Yes: the BILSTEIN DT is connected to the standard plug connection. The Sport/Auto/Comfort functions can still be used.
The axle geometry values for road vehicles (such as track and camber) are to be set according to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications for series suspensions. An individual adjustment of the axle values is to be carried out specific to the vehicle/driver.
A revision of your high-performance dampers (from BILSTEIN B6 upwards) is possible in our company depending on the type. Please contact our special customer request department: Mail address: ksw@bilstein.de
You can install our cartridge inserts without hesitation. The cartridges are axially tensioned via the cartridge cap nut. The spring strut support tube fixes the cartridge. The tightening torque of the cartridge nut is 130Nm.
The tightening torque of the cartridge nut is 130Nm.
Yes, to tighten the cartridge cap nut you need either BILSTEIN cartridge spanner with article no. for 30 =14-244131 or for 36 = 14-244148 (E-MS 08/6).
We offer special keys with the following article numbers: Diameter shock absorber tube for 30 =14-244131( E-MS 08/7) and for 36 = 14-244148 (E-MS 08/6).
Please DO NOT fill fluids such as oil or antifreeze into the standpipe! This can lead to failure of the shock absorber. The BILSTEIN cartridges are inserted “dry”. Otherwise, there is a risk that the cartridge insert will fill up with the fluid and the damping function will no longer be given, as the shock absorber would hit a column of fluid.
Shock absorbers are not subject to registration if they correspond to the OE functional dimensions. Therefore, you do not need an ABE or a parts certificate. Should you use our shock absorbers in combination with lowering springs, you will need a parts certificate/ABE for the springs, which you can obtain from the respective manufacturer.
The compression stops are factory fitted on this type of strut/cartridge insert. The McPherson spring struts are manufactured as upside-down in the monotube shock absorber. This means that the shock absorber in the spring strut is “upside down”. The piston rod is located inside the shock absorber. The pre-assembled compression stop is also located there. The series pressure stop is omitted.
It is recommended to start with level 5 and to refine the adjustment axle by axle as desired. Start with the rear axle. The settings of the front and rear axles can be different. However, the settings on an axle must be the same on the left and right!
Yes, only a very small proportion of vehicles have shock absorbers without protective tubes installed. Protective tubes ensure that no environmental influences can affect the piston rod and the locking package and influence the service life of the shock absorber. If the shock absorber is delivered without protective tubes, the standard protective tubes (BILSTEIN B1) will fit.
You can request a GOCA certificate from our regional trade partners. These can be viewed via our Retailer- and Expertsearch.
All certificates are stored in the BILSTEIN online catalogue behind the article number. All certificates are linked to the article number.
Our shock absorbers are installed in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer’s installation instructions. For air springs and air spring modules, we offer installation information such as installation videos and installation instructions linked to the article number in the online catalogue.
No, that is a misconception. The compensation in the shock absorber takes place during driving.
No, nothing will happen. However, a vehicle should never be lowered onto a depressurised air spring.
The spring preload defines the firm fit of the spring in all driving situations, even when the suspension is fully deflected. The axial play is checked here. This is an important and decisive point, which is also relevant for the technical inspection.
The BILSTEIN Clubsport suspension offers 100-fold damping force adjustment. By using special racing tuning and uniball bearings, the suspension is designed for racing use. We recommend a range of use of around 80% racetrack and 20% road. The support bearings are adjustable in many ways and allow individual axle adjustment.
Please note the information in the expert report. There you will find the adjustment range of the chassis. This adjustment range is vehicle-specific and is determined and tested by us in extensive driving tests.
The difference between BILSTEIN B6 and BILSTEIN B8 is that the extended length of the B8 shock absorber is shortened by approx. 20mm. This ensures the preload of the lowering spring with the B8. The B6 is used with OE springs.
- B1: OE replacement: Protection kit with pressure stop and protective tube, support bearing, compressor.
- B3: OE replacement spring, coil spring or air spring.
- B4: OE replacement: shock absorber and air spring modules
We offer plug-and-play solutions for a wide range of applications. These are listed at BILSTEIN with the suffix “DT” (DampTronic). Regardless of what the vehicle manufacturer calls its electronic suspension system, the correct assignments can be found in the catalog.
Yes. These are the BILSTEIN Clubsport suspensions.
You can find all BILSTEIN articles in our online catalogue.
Please contact your dealer as usual.
BILSTEIN B4 shock absorbers are manufactured and offered according to OE specifications, so that the OE driving characteristics (ride height and tuning) of the vehicle are retained. The choice of OE replacement shock absorbers must be narrowed down in accordance with vehicle specifications.
The BILSTEIN B6 and B8 shock absorbers have their own tuning, determined in road tests, which follows the BILSTEIN philosophy of “comfort and sport”. Due to their standard functional dimensions, both shock absorbers are height-neutral and registration-free. Due to the shortened extended length, the BILSTEIN B8 shock absorber is equally suitable for both OE springsand lowering springs up to max. 50mm.
Our BILSTEIN B12 Pro-Kit suspension is a sports suspension kit consisting of 4 shortened BILSTEIN B8 shock absorbers and correspondingly tuned Eibach lowering springs. This suspension is aimed at drivers who want a sporty look and tuning, but without having to accept any major loss of comfort. The shock absorbers are not subject to registration; the springs have a corresponding certificate.
The BILSTEIN B14 PSS is a coil-over suspension that allows individual height adjustment with a tested adjustment range. You therefore have the option of adjusting the height of the vehicle to your individual requirements within the specified adjustment range. The characteristics of the suspension are tuned to be more dynamic, as it is aimed at drivers who want an increase in driving dynamics.
In addition to the height adjustment of the BILSTEIN B14 PSS suspension, the BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10 coil-over suspension also offers you the option of 9/10x manual rebound and compression adjustment (hardness) when installed. This allows you to adjust not only the height, but also the damper tuning to your individual preferences. Due to the parallel hardness adjustment, the rebound and compression stage are adjusted synchronously to each other, so that the desired tuning is achieved quickly and effectively.
Our BILSTEIN B12 Pro-Kit/Sportline suspension kits are sports suspension kits consisting of 4 shortened BILSTEIN B8 shock absorbers and correspondingly tuned Eibach lowering springs. These suspension kits are aimed at drivers who want a sporty look and set-up, but without having to accept any major loss of comfort. The shock absorbers are not subject to registration; the springs have a corresponding certificate or ABE.
The BILSTEIN B14 PSS is a coil-over suspension system that allows individual height adjustment with a tested adjustment range. You therefore have the option of adjusting the height of the vehicle to your individual requirements within the specified adjustment range. The identification of the suspension is tuned to be more dynamic, as it is aimed at drivers who want an increase in driving dynamics.
The BILSTEIN B4 shock absorbers are manufactured and offered according to OE specifications, so that the OE driving characteristics of the vehicle are maintained. The selection of OE replacement shock absorbers must be narrowed down in accordance with the vehicle specifications, as the interaction between the suspension components, e.g. shock absorber, suspension spring, strut bearings, is coordinated.
BILSTEIN B3 springs are manufactured and offered according to OE specifications, so that the OE driving characteristics of the vehicle are maintained. The selection must be narrowed down in accordance with the vehicle specifications, as the interaction between the suspension components, e.g. shock absorber, suspension spring, strut bearings, is coordinated.
The BILSTEIN B3 springs in reinforced version are only to be used for vehicles with the corresponding equipment! Incorrect/different applications can have an unfavourable effect on the ride height and functionality.
The BILSTEIN B14 PSS is a coilover suspension that allows individual height adjustment with a tested adjustment range. You therefore have the option of adjusting the height of the vehicle to your individual wishes within the specified adjustment range. The characteristics of the suspension are tuned to be more dynamic, as it is aimed at drivers who want an increase in driving dynamics.
In addition to the height adjustment of the BILSTEIN B14 PSS suspension, the BILSTEIN B16 PSS9/10 coilover suspension also offers you the option of 9/10 manual rebound and compression damping adjustment (hardness adjustment) when installed. This allows you to adjust not only the height, but also the damper tuning to your individual preferences. Due to the parallel hardness adjustment, rebound and compression stage are adjusted synchronously to each other, so that the desired tuning is achieved quickly and effectively. Please note that the damping force setting must be adjusted identically for each axle.
Detailed information on BILSTEIN EVO suspensions can be found at the following link: https://performance.bilstein.com
Passive dampers are designed for one characteristic and cannot adapt dynamically/actively to different driving situations.
Active shock absorbers can realise different characteristics either independently or by means of driving modes that can be selected by the driver (e.g. comfort or sport).
No, because conversion to gas pressure shock absorbers would generally have been possible when the classic car was built.
We offer our BILSTEIN B16 ridecontrol coilovers as an iRC solution for specific vehicles.
As a solution, we offer our BILSTEIN B6 high-performance shock absorbers, which also reproduce their performance and damping characteristics better than the OE shock absorbers for payload and trailer operation. These are tested and tuned in extensive road tests according to the BILSTEIN philosophy.
As a solution, we offer our BILSTEIN B6 high-performance shock absorbers, which also reproduce their performance and damping characteristics better than the OE shock absorbers for payload and trailer operation. These are tested and tuned in extensive road tests according to the BILSTEIN philosophy.
Reconditioned/repaired old parts contain used shock absorbers with uncertain mileage and possible damage. In addition, the solenoid valves are partially decommissioned, turning active modules into passives. BILSTEIN air spring modules, on the other hand, are 100% new parts that correspond to the original parts.
Yes. This is the link to the current workshop training courses for which you can register: https://workshop.bilstein.com/de/trainings-schulungen/
We offer the training courses free of charge for our workshop and trade partners.
Unfortunately, we cannot process your complaint directly, as your contractual relationship is usually with a dealer. Please contact your dealer/workshop with the product and the corresponding proof of purchase. He/she will contact us immediately to clarify your complaint.
Please contact: marketing.bilstein@thyssenkrupp-automotive.com
Yes, BILSTEIN belongs to thyssenkrupp AG.
Yes. You get all information here: http://bilstein-motorrad.de/
BILSTEIN, now thyssenkrupp Bilstein GmbH, was founded in 1873 by August Bilstein.
BILSTEIN developed the first gas pressure shock absorber in 1954. It has been active in original equipment since 1957.
We will gladly answer your questions
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