Rebuilding Bilstein suspension

Mr Ree · Post by **Mr Ree** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 10:44 am

Hi guys.

I have TRD (bilstein) suspension in my JZA80, and have always had a clunk from the rear, which I presumed was the sway bar end links, but a while ago, I swapped in some standard bilsteins from an RZ, and the clunk was no longer there.

Now I have refitted the TRD shocks and the clunk is back so Im guessing they are either due for a rebuild, or the force they exert on the rear arms/sway bar is far more than the factory suspension, and this is causing the clunk.

Who has had their Bilsteins rebuilt in NZ, where did you take them to, and how much did it cost, please?

Thank you

Grrrrrrr! · Post by **Grrrrrrr!** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:27 am

Haven't used him yet (new struts from Mark were too cheap to bother with a rebuild) but http://www.bilsteinmotorsport.co.nz/ would probably be a good bet quality wise.

GDII · Post by **GDII** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:27 am

You should be able to pick up OEM Bilsteins for a good price off Mark.

Are you saying your TRD suspension has Bilstein shocks in them? Which are different to OEM struts?

2jayzgte · Post by **2jayzgte** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:37 am

GDII wrote:You should be able to pick up OEM Bilsteins for a good price off Mark.

Are you saying your TRD suspension has Bilstein shocks in them? Which are different to OEM struts?

The grey TRD Shocks for the Supra are made by Bilstein.

Reith I don't even know if they are rebuildable.I've never heard of anyone having to get them rebuilt and if you do keep us posted.

Mr Ree · Post by **Mr Ree** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:57 am

GDII wrote:You should be able to pick up OEM Bilsteins for a good price off Mark.

Are you saying your TRD suspension has Bilstein shocks in them? Which are different to OEM struts?

I already have a set of the standard Bilsteins that are matched to a far softer spring combo. From memory they are only $155 each to replace, but yes, the Grey TRD suspension has bilstein shocks and are valved alot firmer to suit the rediculously stiff springs they are matched to.

RobertC · Post by **RobertC** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 12:14 pm

you might have the exact specs already but if not

damping force at 0.3m/s of piston speed

Front shock absorber 4292/1029N Fixed rate Made by BILSTEIN

Rear shock absorber 2538/637N Fixed rate Made by BILSTEIN

Front Lowering Spring K=107.8N/mm

Rear Lowering Spring K=92.1N/mm

touge_ae101 · Post by **touge_ae101** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 12:41 pm

Bilstein guy sounds interesting. have heard about him but never used them. he used to work for autolign and got trained in Germany etc for rebuilding bilsteins so will no doubt be a quality job.

alternatively autolign rebuild bilsteins through their sister company racelign. good job and turn around at a reasonable price. iirc price for rebuilding/revalving bilsteins was around $170 a shock which i think is reasonable.

Mr Ree · Post by **Mr Ree** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 1:04 pm

RobertC wrote:you might have the exact specs already but if not

damping force at 0.3m/s of piston speed

Front shock absorber 4292/1029N Fixed rate Made by BILSTEIN

Rear shock absorber 2538/637N Fixed rate Made by BILSTEIN

Front Lowering Spring K=107.8N/mm

Rear Lowering Spring K=92.1N/mm

Are those for the TRD suspension, or the factory yellow Bilsteins, please? Also, what springs are those specs for, as I believe there were a couple of different options

Thank you for your input

RobertC · Post by **RobertC** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 1:11 pm

Those are for the TRD suspension kit.

Can't find any reference to different spring rate springs.

http://www.trdparts.jp/english/parts_sus-set.html

Post by **Distrb** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 8:13 pm

touge_ae101 wrote:alternatively autolign rebuild bilsteins through their sister company racelign. good job and turn around at a reasonable price. iirc price for rebuilding/revalving bilsteins was around $170 a shock which i think is reasonable.

this is what i did when i had bilsteins shortened and revalved. sorted it through Autolign in Petone.

Perhaps contact them and see what can be done. is entirely possible the ones you have arent serviceable.

Looonie · Post by **Looonie** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 8:41 pm

http://www.supraforums.com/forum/showth ... ion-thread

Pretty sure I can source you new HD series Bilsteins (as mentioned in that thread to be same as TRD ones) for about $250 each.

Would have to confirm with my supplier, if you're interested, flick me a PM.

Mr Ree · Post by **Mr Ree** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 10:03 pm

Thanks for the offer, do you know how much the HD version differ to the typical yellow bilsteins found in the RZ's?

2jayzgte · Post by **2jayzgte** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 7:35 am

Mr Ree wrote:Thanks for the offer, do you know how much the HD version differ to the typical yellow bilsteins found in the RZ's?

Reith why not just send the TRD shock away to the Bilstein guy in Auks see what he say's.I'm sure it can't be that expensive.

That Supra forums article is a good one I've been sold on TRD suspension for years > that throw together aftermarket stuff.

Mr Ree · Post by **Mr Ree** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:31 am

TBH, I dont really fell like wasting money shipping them around the country to be looked at. Ill send some photos of them first, to see if they can/cant be rebulit and go from there.

I love the feel of them, and the car handles great (for a fat whale) I just cant help but think that the "clunk" would be nicer if it wasnt there lol

jbod · Post by **jbod** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 3:24 pm

George stocks do a good job

OMG so shiny! · Post by **Dell'Orto** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:37 pm

Stocks do Koni, not Bilstein though

jbod · Post by **jbod** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:42 pm

Correct tho I understand they have access to billstein parts. Is it a coilover being repaired here or a sealed gas shock?

OMG so shiny! · Post by **Dell'Orto** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:45 pm

I daresay they'd just outsource to Autolign

jbod · Post by **jbod** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:54 pm

Most probably right! Procure the parts for the work. I thought they were quite good didnt charge for every last nut and bolt and the chap (who i forget his name now) was very helpful.

Mr Ree · Post by **Mr Ree** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:13 pm

They arent an adjustable "coilover" as such, but are an adjustable platform system, with 3 grooves cut into the body of the shock, and a small circlip that sits in them that you can move up or down to adjust the height.

Im fairly certain they can be rebuilt, I will have to take a closer look in the weekend as its something I have never paid attention to in the past.