Bilstein Shocks and Stabilizers

Whether it be race cars to prerunner trucks to new vehicles rolled off of the assembly line, you're bound to find Bilstein shock absorbers in any vehicle division in the world. After many years in the automotive segment manufacturing various products, in 1957, the first mono-tube gas pressure shock absorbers went into standard production on Mercedes Benz vehicles built by Bilstein. This was the beginning of Bilstein turning themselves into a world renowned shock absorbed manufacturer. Today, Bilstein still produces OE shocks for numerous vehicle manufacturers, but has further pushed the limits with full race ready shock and coilover kits that are used in numerous complete aftermarket suspension kits. What all this translates into is assurance that upgrading your truck with a set of Bilstein shocks and/or a steering stabilizer is a smart long-term investment in ride quality.

Bilstein gives a host of options for nearly every vehicle depending on lift height, vehicle use, and budget. Below are some of the most popular series of shocks that Bilstein produces and what makes each different.

BILSTEIN 5100

By far, our most popular series of Bilstein shocks would be the B8 5100 series. These shocks feature a 46mm monotube design that ensures consistent, fade-free performance in all conditions. The included hardware is OEM certified that delivers long-term integrity and ease of installation. The shock body is zinc plated for resistance against harsh elements, and finally, they’re available in various lift heights for numerous applications.

BILSTEIN 4600

The 4600 is a great option from Bilstein that is found as a factory OEM shock on numerous vehicles around the globe. The B6 4600 delivers optimum grip and enhanced lane stability in day to day and extreme situations. These feature high gas pressure and a longer service life even when pulling trailers or driving off-road.

BILSTEIN 5160

The B8 5160 shock features a 46mm monotube design similar to that of the 5100’s, but in a remote reservoir style for increased off-road performance. This shock series features self-adjusting deflective disc valving that reacts immediately to surface changes, enabling maximum vehicle control.

Videos

We get a lot of calls and e-mails each day with various product, vehicle, and installation questions. Some are completely off the wall and can even catch us off guard at times, but many others are fairly routine, so we thought we'd post some of the most popular questions regarding Bilstein products that can hopefully be a good resource for you.

Q: Will replacing my stock shocks with Bilstein improve the ride quality?
A: In most cases, yes. While only replacing the shocks and not the coil springs, leaf springs, etc. will deliver only a modest improvement, the increase in ride quality is noticeable in our experience.

Q: Where are Bilstein products manufactured?
A: Everywhere! Well, maybe not everywhere, but Bilstein operates at ten locations around the world and specifically manufactures in six different countries, from America to Great Britain and China.

Q: Which series of Bilstein shocks are best for me?
A: That depends on how you're using your truck, what complementary suspension components you have, and your budget. Overall, we've found that the 5100 series is a great "middle-ground" shock upgrade that can work with either a completely stock truck or one with modest to moderate suspension upgrades and still deliver an improvement in suspension performance. For those looking for a more dramatic improvement, we would suggest the 5160 remote reservoirs. But for those that are happy with the stock ride quality and merely looking to replace, the 4600's are a great option.

Q: Is Bilstein part of Thyssenkrupp?
A: Yes, Bistein belongs to Thyssenkrupp AG

Q: How long has Bilstein been in business?
A: Bilstein was founded in 1873 by August Bilstein.

Q: How long has Bilstein manufactured shock absorbers?
A: BILSTEIN developed the first gas pressure shock absorber in 1954. It has been active in original equipment since 1957.

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