Bilstein 5100 series shock position (1 Viewer)

[bellaire35]

hello,
I am going to install Bilstein 5100 series shocks to the front of my 40.
The question: which direction should the "boot" be pointing...
Facing up towards the engine?
Or facing down toward the ground?

I have seen them installed both ways....which is correct?
J

 

[Weber Sarge]

Face them so the label is oriented correctly to read it ....
Sarge

 

[bellaire35]

Sounds simple. Thank you

 

[Downey]

Throw the boots away, they trap and hold water, which causes the shafts to rust, the rust then goes in and out of the top seal wiping out the shock- - -boots destroy shocks.

P.S. Unless you are in So Cal where we get zero rain/moisture.

 

[Tancruiser]

The labels are not on them so you can apply them any way you want , now its complicated I put mine on boots up only I did not put boots on now it's really getting interesting.

 

[bellaire35]

Interesting! I have seen Many with the boot and without. Seen them installed with piston pointing up and down.

 

[bellaire35]

Throw the boots away, they trap and hold water, which causes the shafts to rust, the rust then goes in and out of the top seal wiping out the shock- - -boots destroy shocks.

P.S. Unless you are in So Cal where we get zero rain/moisture.

Well were I live in Costa Rica we average 12 feet of water a year so I will leave those off. Thanks for the tip.

 

[honk]

Throw the boots away, they trap and hold water, which causes the shafts to rust, the rust then goes in and out of the top seal wiping out the shock- - -boots destroy shocks.

P.S. Unless you are in So Cal where we get zero rain/moisture.

Maybe so Jim, but the bull**** down there runs deep enough to ruin shocks, rain or no rain.

 

[bellaire35]

this makes sense, my problem solved:

or emulsion shocks (like Bilstein 5100 series emulsion shocks which are nitrogen charged), its generally a requirement that they are mounted can-up. If you don't, you'll starve the seal of the floating piston, but keeping them mounted can-up keeps the seal flooded at all times.


For the most part - hydraulic shocks (those without gas inside) need to be mounted can- down. If you mount them can-up, they will eventually fade causing the initial first movement of the shock to be far less effective. Usually the seals will start to loose their effectiveness and you may get some leaks and then air gets sucked into the chamber causing an even less effective shock control.

 

[CHCP]

I have HFS shocks on my 2.5" lifted FJ40. Sometimes hitting bumps cracks the back. I looked at CCOT where I bought them but the product specs are scant. Do you know if these shocks are also nitrogen charged? The can is down in their (CCOT) HFS Suspension show truck. But with my can down the steering drag link hits it and is probably bent by now. I see that the Bilstein front shocks look to be a smaller diameter but if the can is up then the drag link shouldn't hit

 

[Tancruiser]

I have mine boots off and can down and no issues besides I just like the way it looks.

 

[bellaire35]

I been running cans up based on how the bilsteins design. No issues and feel confident I can't he max life out of them. Not cheap shocks so prefer to install for max life potential.
CHCP
I would reverse your shocks to can up and problem solved.

 

[Tools R Us]

It depends on the design of the shock. Most twin tube type shocks need to be mounted can down, most single tube shocks can be mounted either way. Bilstein shocks are single tube so can be run either way, user choice. Can down increases unsprung weight, can up reduces it, slightly, likely not a big deal on a FJ40.

 

[CHCP]

So are HFS shocks single or twin tube type shocks? I've never heard of unsprung weight concerns, can you explain this some more? Thanks.