Shock refurb

[GDL]

I'm looking to get my two front shocks refurbished.


On PH I found a recommendation for KBSS Ltd. in Leicestershire
Apparently they are the official Bilstein agent in the UK.

Rang them for a quote - explained they were the adjustable ones for a 3200.
"yes sir, no problem £80 each + VAT"
Normally 2 week turnaround, but if you prebook them in they will do them faster

Seems remarkably good value

Anyone have any experience of them?

Cheers

Gordon

 

[boomerang]

Hi Gordon,

Did them once at David Askew, very good results too.
Thought it did cost a bit more though, but i am not certain.
Seems a real bargain to me and would even concider to do the rears as well!
Think your car will feel like new if the rest of your suspension is ok.

 

[goatherder]

Hi,

This has caught my eye - after spending a lot on new parts recently I would be interested to hear more about shock refurb options. Emblem pointed out that one of my rear shocks was a little messy and may need attention soon (but I don't fancy buying new!)..

Can anyone recommend someone in the south who can do a good refurb on 4200 shocks?

 

[GDL]

Got the shocks back from Bilstein today. Posted to them Tuesday after the bank holiday.

Wouldn't recognise them given how grotty they looked when sent.


New splines / cogs or whatever on the top (and they turn soooo easily)


The scratches on the bottom were there when sent


Can't wait to get them on the car and get rid of the dreaded ERROR
Imagine it - no warning lights at all!

And all for £80 each (+£12 for the return postage) all plus vat - about £202 all up.

Cheers

Gordon

 

[GDL]

Oops, contact details if anyone is interested

Bilstein Suspension
Unit 3, Swannington Road
Broughton Astley
Leicestershire
LE9 6TU

Tel: 01455 283407

 

[dem maser]

gordon did you have another set in the meantime??

 

[conaero]

Nice work Gordon may e this is where David Askew gets them done?

And yes, saw you at Ace a few days ago, how does that work? Do you have a spare set?

 

[GDL]

I bought a second hand set from a car with only 28k miles - had them swapped but one of them was too stiff on the adjustment.
I tested it with the actuator before having them fitted and it worked (the ERROR light went out) - but on the car no joy.

So now I have my originals back and will soon have them on the car I will have the others spare.

Though I'm a little miffed that I paid the breaker for 2 shocks only to find one didn't work properly the whole deal still cost me less than one new one.

I have corrected my earlier post - the price didn't include postage, an extra £12+vat.
All up cost of the refurb £202 to Bilstein + £11 for my courier to get them there.

It really is a shame that the back ones are not the same, or I would do them as well.

Cheers

Gordon

 

[Gullible]

I understand that the 4200 shocks are adjustable as well as when i did my rear shoes i saw the rear shocks looked a lot like your images.
Can you tell me who adjusts the shocks or is it automatic?
I have a sport button to firm everything up but i sometimes feel that in normal driving the car Kinda "wallows" around a bit and feels a little Unstable when being pushed.
I measures my rears at 4.2 inches of thread showing both sides.
Is there a specific setting and will this affect ride height as much as damping characteristics?

 

[GDL]

Adam,

I can only talk for the 3200, but adjustable in this sense is having the skyhook suspension as a factory option.

You will then have (on the 3200) a sport button on the dash/console.
Selecting sport moves them to the firmer setting. If you don't have sport selected they are set to the softer setting but get firmer as you go faster.

If one of your adjusters is seized then the suspension control unit defaults to firm.

If you look at the top of your front shocks (off side is easier on the 3200) then you will see a small red can (about 50mm high and 25mm across) fixed to the top.
This is the actuator.

Just had a look at the Eurospares parts page and the whole thing looks different on the 4200 - so can't tell you any more.

Cheers

Gordon

 

[Gullible]

What are the threads for on the shocks then? manual adjustment of firmness?

 

[safrane]

Adam,

They are [without seing them] the adjustment for ride hight. My friend David has just lowered his 02 4200 to gransport ride hight with great results. It is possible to DIY this but it is recomended you have a 4 x wheel alighment done after

 

[Danny]

It really is a shame that the back ones are not the same, or I would do them as well.

Cheers

Gordon

Gordon, first of all: thanks for your post. I didn't know that the adjustable shocks could be refurbed at all. I'm not sure what you mean with the above (see quote). Did the guys at Bilstein tell you that they could refurb the front shocks but not the rears? Both are adjustable and both are Bilstein, so why could the rear shocks not be refurbed?

Thanks,
Danny

 

[Danny]

I have called the guys from Bilstein this afternoon and they confirmed to me that both front and rear shocks can be refurbed for the price of 80 pounds + VAT.

 

[Parisien]

Result then Danny.......and a small fortune saved!!!


P

 

[MAF260]

£80 each direct from Bilstein?

That's a LOT cheaper than David Askew! I suggest you also check with them whether they offer any kind of warranty/guarantee as David does not guarantee the refurb.

 

[GDL]

Danny,

my comment on the rears was that they are not physically the same shocks as the front.
If they were then I would use the spare pair I have to put on the car while I got the existing ones refurbed.

As far as my refurbed ones are concerned:
The ride is noticeably softer now (when 1 is seized the others default to sport mode).
No ERROR.

Very happy with the process and the result.

Cheers

Gordon