Service/repair Of Bilstein Inserts?

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

Hello,

 

I've got some very sorry-for-themselves bilstein inserts that I would like to look into getting rebuilt and repaired. One of them has taken damage to the bottom threaded end (the threaded part that comes through the bottom of the shock body, with the nut on the end). So I imagine, the end will need to be cut off (6 or 7mm at most) and then the thread re-cut. Presumably I would need the other side done to match so they aren't different lengths? Not sure if thats necesary in practical terms.

They had also both shat out all their oil, so need rebuilding/servicing.

 

Does anybody know where I would be able to take them for this sort of thing? From what I've read online, bilstein themselves are a bit of a pain to deal with when it comes to servicing.

And would I be better off just getting a machinist to recut the thread, then a damper company for the rebuild?

I don't mind couriering them to the company if needs be.

 

Also if anybody knows a rough cost for this sort of thing, that would be great.

 

Thanks in advance

[welshpug 1,646]

bilstein uk would be the first place to ask, some inserts can't be done iirc due to how they are made.

 

which type are they? a few types are available from new stock for not much more than the labour charges to rebuild/revalve.

 

I have some long top spindle gravel inserts that have a little patch of rust on one rod, I think these are £180 odd new :/

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

I'll give them a try, see if they get back to me.

 

I'm not sure of the part number off hand, but can check when I get chance to go down to my unit. They came out of what I beleive to be a skip brown set up.

I've had a quick browse online, and the actual dismantling and rebuilding looks fairly simple, but I dont know if this type can be depresurised and regassed easily without specialist equipment. Or if thats even required with this type of shock.

 

I've seen a couple of pairs on ebay which look like new old stock parts for around the £155 mark, but couldnt come up with much detail on them with the part numbers in the listing.

 

I was hoping to get away with spending slightly less than that if I can

[welshpug 1,646]

ah if they are the standard diameter type for a standard top mount then kam racing have the gravel short top inserts at around £110

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

Aye, I'd spotted those, but was hoping to spend less then than £220 If I can help it!

[205wrc 16]

Last time I had mine rebuilt at Bilstein, they were about £70 + VAT + Parts + postage. £110 new are cheap..........very cheap

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

Was that per corner?

 

Yeah I suspected it might be more cost effective to just buy new, but would seem a bit of a waste to bin these ones.

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Found the same it was cheaper to buy new ones, just got to think of labour and time needed to repair each unit and you can see why really.

[205wrc 16]

Yes. Price was for each strut. Long wait as well as they do a lot of work for the army and they get priority

[allanallen 528 2 Cars]

It's £80+vat now.....

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

Just had a quote from an independent place of £100 per strut. Think I'll sling this idea on the back burner then.