sjanes

My Bilstein sport shocks now have about 150 track days + 15K street miles on them. Although they aren't showing any signs of leaking, I'm wondering if they could use a rebuild (and maybe a custom valve setting as well). For you guys that use these type of shocks, how long between rebuilds do you go, or do you just wait until the shock leaks or something?

MJR911

Wait til its dead. Enough other things to maintain on these cars wihout replacing things that work fine! Now if you were upgrading to huge torsion bars, you'd benefit from some custom valving.

sjanes

I already have 23/30 torsion bars, but the stock 'sport' shock valving. Does a shock wear out over time, or just die (i.e. leak)?

Matt Marks

Can't speak to life of the shocks (I have about 100 track days and 20k street miles on mine), but when the time comes, Bilstein of america will re-build them for $75 each + washers/seals etc. For an extra $25 per shock, they will turn them around overnight.

<edit - forgot to mention that you can have them valved to your spec at the same time and with little extra cost>

Edward

Shocks degrade sloooowly over time, and more often than not don't leak. Chances are you won't notice the deterioration until they are pretty well shot, or until replaced with new (or rebuilt) ones. At your mileage/use, I'd bet they're just fine. OTOH, with 23/30 TBs (and by your avatar it seems you're running 17s which are heavier than 16s), you probably would benefit from custom valving. If all seems well and you don't "need" to fix anything, leave all alone. But I'm willing to bet you'd get better suspension performance by revalving to custom suit your TBs and wheel combo.

Edward

sjanes

Thanks. I think I'll check out my custom valving options to see whats available.