Rebuild Bilsteins

[dzim]

I am thinking about having the Bilstein shocks from my 94 ZR-1 rebuilt. If you have had this done, I would like to hear your comments, both good and bad. Where is this done, how much does it cost, how long does it take, etc?

Thanks,
Dale Zimmerman
Lincoln, NE

[GOLDCYLON]

I am thinking about having the Bilstein shocks from my 94 ZR-1 rebuilt. If you have had this done, I would like to hear your comments, both good and bad. Where is this done, how much does it cost, how long does it take, etc?

Thanks,
Dale Zimmerman
Lincoln, NE


Bilstein does the rebuilding service. A few folks here have had the Moracca valving done which is great for those who like to autocross. Keep in mind what you send in is what they will rebuild and return. They do not repaint them clean them up or add new decals. They simply rebuild the shocks. Im sure others will chime in as well.

[Kevin]

i've been considering getting a spare set of shocks to have rebuilt

[Daniel_Mc]

Hey Dale,

I did this back in 2007 on our 89 track car it took about 3 weeks if I remember correctly. I had the shocks custom valved for the Moraca (sp) setting and rebuilt. All the internals and rods were replaced but the outside will look the same. I am very happy with the results and I have had zero issues with them since rebuilding. I think I paid 60 to 80 per shock for the rebuild but again I can't really remember.

Hope this helps,

-Daniel

[vilant]

I bought 4 new Bilsteins for @ $800 shipped. It's cheaper to have them rebuilt, but I didn't want to have my car out of commission for several weeks.
Daniel, was it $60-$80 each with or without shipping them to Bilstein? Thinking about having my old ones rebuilt as spares. :cheers:

[mike100]

I had mine done a year ago. It was $100 each for the rebuild. The price was the same for either stock or custom valving.

I got new decals on mine. Probably the job took 2 weeks or so at the time I had mine done, but I work nearby and just dropped them off and left a phone number. What I requested was 20% more compression and 30% more rebound and that worked out pretty well, but if I had a second chance, I would have been more aggressive with the front shock valving (the LT5 is still heavy-no way around that).

[Fully Vetted]

Please explain the Moracca valving.

[Daniel_Mc]

...Daniel, was it $60-$80 each with or without shipping them to Bilstein? Thinking about having my old ones rebuilt as spares.

DRM shipped for me so I did not get charged for the shipping. At the rate people dump the FX3's I have considered picking up a set and having them as spares as well. It's not a bad idea at all IMHO.

Please explain the Moracca valving.

David it is a bit stiffer setting than the stock but it adds to the high speed stability of the car. You are welcome to drive the Rippie car with them on it and see for yourself. :cheers:

-Daniel

[GOLDCYLON]

Please explain the Moracca valving.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI9qIxu0l_4

Pretty much your choices with Bilstein are “Sears Point” and “Moraca”for the revalve. As you can see in the video its all about what you want and what they have tested.

[dzim]

Thanks for all the feedback. I also paid the $800 for new Bilsteins and have installed them on my ZR-1. If I have the old Bilsteins rebuilt, it would be to have a spare set available.

I also own a 1994 LT1 coupe with the FX3 suspension package. Would the shocks from my 1994 ZR-1 work on my base coupe?

Dale Zimmerman

[GOLDCYLON]

Thanks for all the feedback. I also paid the $800 for new Bilsteins and have installed them on my ZR-1. If I have the old Bilsteins rebuilt, it would be to have a spare set available.

I also own a 1994 LT1 coupe with the FX3 suspension package. Would the shocks from my 1994 ZR-1 work on my base coupe?

Dale Zimmerman

Yes both 94s will interchange

[vilant]

DRM shipped for me so I did not get charged for the shipping. At the rate people dump the FX3's I have considered picking up a set and having them as spares as well. It's not a bad idea at all IMHO.
-Daniel
Ok, thanks. I'll have to call Bilstein and see if they will pay to ship them back to me once I ship them out (I'm guessing they include return shipping in the cost of the rebuild, but we'll see).:cheers:

[Fully Vetted]

Ok, thanks. I'll have to call Bilstein and see if they will pay to ship them back to me once I ship them out (I'm guessing they include return shipping in the cost of the rebuild, but we'll see).:cheers:

If you will, post what they say and the number to call. This is on my project list for this winter.

[vilant]

If you will, post what they say and the number to call. This is on my project list for this winter.
Ok, I called Bilstein here's their address and number.
AFTERMARKET & MOTORSPORTS HEADQUARTERS - WEST
ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America
Poway CA. 92064
United States
Tel.: +1-800-537-1085
Their website:http://www.bilstein.com/
I spoke to Juan (he's the one who rebuilds the shocks) their prices just went up within the last 6 months. It is now $145/ea to rebuild a shock, which also includes relabeling but not repainting (they'll clean it up the best they can). One thing that is not included is if the rod was damaged (he explained that if the internal rod seals were bad and moisture got in there they have to be replaced) a new rod assembly is an additional $65. Return shipping is not included. It really may be cheaper to buy a complete new set than have 4 rebuilt after shipping costs. But if you want to retain originality there's a definitly a cost to it. It's possible they may lower prices for a group buy. If there's interest, I'll look into it.:cheers:
P.S. If you want to rebuild, fill out the work order form (it's a downloadable PDF) from the U.S. site. There is also a 10-13 week turnover time.

[Fully Vetted]

Thanks for the info. So, now we're looking at $650+ with shipping. And that's assuming no rods need to be replaced. AND a 3 month wait.

Youch!

We should explore the group buy. Count me in if we can get it done.

[ZZZZZR1]

I'm interested in getting a set done and
then redone with Moroccan valving

:cheers:

David

[Scrrem]

I have a spare set I would like to get redone as well.
Rich

[mike100]

Wow...it has really gotten expensive. I will say that a refresh on mine really made the car ride a lot better, but there is a point where one would just go to something aftermarket using the $700 as a down payment against that.

[Fully Vetted]

I think I'd have to buy some cheap aftermarket ones to put on while mine are being rebuilt. Winter doesn't even last 3 months down here. The ECM would throw a code without the FX3 shocks on, right?

[mike100]

I think I'd have to buy some cheap aftermarket ones to put on while mine are being rebuilt. Winter doesn't even last 3 months down here. The ECM would throw a code without the FX3 shocks on, right?

just unplug the fx3 controller and the dash light never illuminates

[Fully Vetted]

Perfect. Thanks.

[dzim]

With a rebuild price of $145 per shock, they have priced themselves out of my market. I have new shocks on my car right now. Guess I will just hang on to the used shocks.

Thanks for sharing all the information.

Dale Zimmerman

[vilant]

I'm headed to the shore for the holiday weekend, I call during the week next week and see if I can talk them into lowering the price for a group, I'll keep ya's posted.:cheers:

[FU]

I'm headed to the shore for the holiday weekend, I call during the week next week and see if I can talk them into lowering the price for a group, I'll keep ya's posted.:cheers:

Keep posted.

[Moonlk]

Had mine done this winter. It was $100 per plus needed shafts $50 each plus $50 shipping each way. Total $700 plus $30 for a can of custom mixed paint to refinish them. Took about 2 months because the shafts were on backorder. If I had known before I sent them in that shafts were needed I probably would have tried to source new ones.

[scottfab]

With a rebuild price of $145 per shock, they have priced themselves out of my market. I have new shocks on my car right now. Guess I will just hang on to the used shocks.

Thanks for sharing all the information.

Dale Zimmerman


Dale be very clear on what you want to them. I had mine rebuilt and I specified "stock". What I got is Moracca. It is still very stiff.
I looked 30min for the receipt. No go but I think I paid $79 ea 10yrs ago.

[GOLDCYLON]

Unless you auto cross I would just buy new

[FU]

I'd be in on a group buy.

[vilant]

Ok, I spoke to Juan from Bilstein again. He is willing to work with us but he has a few concerns. One is the availability of parts, the parts are produced in Germany and they only send over what they can, not what is needed. Another is they may be discontinuing parts for the early FX3 shocks soon, which makes availability even worse. They are also back-logged with hundreds of shocks already, hence the 10-13 week turnover time. What I need now is a list of who wants their shocks rebuilt and how many, and who wants re-valving (Moroccan valves). I'll email him the list and he'll see what he can do, if anything (We may be able to get a discount if we wait until they're slow). So, here's the prices again
Rebuild=$145
Replacement rod assembly= additional $65 (Won't know if you need this until they take the shock apart.)
Moroccan re-valve= additional $25
Shipping to and from will vary= ?
I have myself for 4 rebuilds. Dave A., Dave J., Frank U., and Rich, I need to know how many each and are there any re-valves besides Dave J.. Anyone else interested, now is the time to chime in. :cheers:

P.S. If we can't get a discount, I may bag having them rebuilt. The potential of $840+shipping is not appealing to me especially since I just spent $800 on new ones. But if the price is right, I will, because who knows how much longer they'll have the parts to fix the originals.

[FU]

In for 4 rebuild's if we can get a discount.
******************************************
Can we get a group buy on new if we can't get a discount ?
Doug Rippie come's to mind.

Thanks' and please keep me posted.

[Scrrem]

I need 4 1990 rebuilt and the valving.
Rich

[RHanselman]

I'm in for 4 if we get the discount as well...

[nelson007]

Does anyone know if thet are still available in Germany? I can get to their factory in about 2 hours in Germany by train. My farm is near Augusburg.
Nelson007

[vilant]

Does anyone know if thet are still available in Germany? I can get to their factory in about 2 hours in Germany by train. My farm is near Augusburg.
Nelson007
If they do, they won't for long.

[vilant]

Ok, Juan got back to me. I told him 6 people were interested in having their shocks rebuilt and 2 with Moroccan valves. Correct me if the list is wrong:
Me- 4-shocks rebuilt
Dave Adams- 4-shocks rebuilt
Dave Johnson- 4-shocks with Moroccan valves
Rich- 4-shocks rebuilt with Moroccan valves
Frank- 4-shocks rebuilt
Ron- 4-shocks rebuilt
Here's his response:
Hi Joe,

Based off of this we can offer a 10% discount, please submit (I took this part out, I'll PM you with, the how to get the 10% off).

I also wanted to let you know that some of the earlier corvette dampers are set to deletion and Germany has already ran their last production run. So whatever we currently have in stock will be the last.
Get in touch with me if you guys are still interested, I'll need your email addresses.:cheers:

[Fully Vetted]

Did he say anything about expediting the group buy?

[FU]

PM'ed you with contact address Joe.
Thank's for setting this up for us :cheers:

[Fully Vetted]

PM sent

[FU]

Are these the correct part number's for 94 ZR1 shock's ?
Front 24-020534
Rear 24-020541

What is the correct replacement Bilstein shock number's ?

[dzim]

I purchased new Bilstein shocks for my 94 ZR-1 in March of this year. The numbers were 20-070274 for the front and 20-070281 for the rear.

Dale Zimmerman