Bilstein shocks causes blowout?

[arich]

Last Saturday I installed new Bilstein Shocks on the wife's 99 FJ100 (50,000 miles). On Monday morning on the way to work she had a catastrophic blowout. Basically the entire sidewall blew out and there wasn't much left. I recent upgraded to 275/60/18s so the tires were fairly new. Perhaps 2000 miles.

Coincidence???

The new handling on the truck was transformational. MUCH better than stock. The truck is certainly firmer but not the point that I would think it could blow out a tire. The only other factor perhaps was the Northeast weather. It's been around 8 degrees each morning. BUT this should not have played a factor since the truck is kept in a garage.

Anyone have 2 cents to offer?????

 

[jditom]

Not possible unless the shock was installed improperly so that it could not move (I do not know how you could do that). Or a defective shock that was siezed up and was not moving. I think you can jump up and down on you running board to make sure they are moving. This should have been obvious after install since it would of road like s***!

None of the above make any sence IMHO.
And a stiffer shock will never blow a tire.

I would focus on the tire!
Did you have proper air pressure?
Did you hit something?
Was the tire defective?

What tires did you get???

 

[ff347]

"Basically the entire sidewall blew out and there wasn't much left"


Well first, let's be glad she is okay.

Unless the shock was loose and rubbing against the tire(and you would see that now), I really do not see how it would have contributed. I think I would chalk one up to debris and get the road hazard warranty.

I was in the tire business for a brief spell and they "usually" will give some sign of an impending problem.

 

[jahmaka]

Glad your wife is fine.Did you notice a baby head at the side of the tire?

 

[calamaridog]

Is there any chance you damaged the tire while changing the shocks?

Or perhaps you were just unlucky with a bad tire. It happens sometimes.

 

[NMuzj100]

Lots of "stuff" "just happens" when women are driving. They don't relate to cause-and-effect the same way as men.

Perhaps she ran over a twisted piece of metal laying in the roadway and then the blowout "just happened". By this point in the winter there are some wicked pot holes out there too.

 

[sleeoffroad]

Did it blow out at once or did she have a flat and not recognize it and drove on it for 1/2 a mile?

Front or rear?

 

[arich]

My Wife never hits anything

Everyone is right , thank god my wife is Ok and that it blew on a straight road instead of a curve. According to my wife she didn't hit anything. But then again she never does. Nor did she back into that other car in the parking lot and crush the rear bumper .

It was the rear tire and I think the most likely theory I have heard is that she drive on it after it went flat. They were Michelin LTX 275/60/18.

There was no sign of impending doom nor did we but them in wrong. God they're so simple a caveman could do it. That is except loosening and tightening that rear, top bolt.

So anyway it looks like just bad luck. Anyone who is considering this swap would be crazy to consider something else. These shock have transformed this floaty ship into a well mannered vehicle. It doesn't handle like the BMW, but that would be asking too much.

Thanks everyone,
Anthony

 

[jditom]

Everyone is right , thank god my wife is Ok and that it blew on a straight road instead of a curve. According to my wife she didn't hit anything. But then again she never does. Nor did she back into that other car in the parking lot and crush the rear bumper .

It was the rear tire and I think the most likely theory I have heard is that she drive on it after it went flat. They were Michelin LTX 275/60/18.

There was no sign of impending doom nor did we but them in wrong. God they're so simple a caveman could do it. That is except loosening and tightening that rear, top bolt.

So anyway it looks like just bad luck. Anyone who is considering this swap would be crazy to consider something else. These shock have transformed this floaty ship into a well mannered vehicle. It doesn't handle like the BMW, but that would be asking too much.

Thanks everyone,
Anthony

Totally agree! Bilsteins was the best upgrade I have done to the 100 and 80!

I do have a set of your Michelin's with 3000 miles on them if you are interested. Will sell them for $300/set. As you know they are about $1000 new. Of course you just need one.