Lifespan of Bilstein Shocks and what else to replace.

[arich]

My Bilsteins have about 50,000 miles on my 1999. It's been about 5 years. I've noticed that the truck has been getting really sloppy lately.

Wondering if it is one or a combinations of the following.

Shocks 50,000 is their lifespan?
Spring and Torsion bars need replacement ( I have a set of airbags in the garage I want to install)
Sway bar bushings need replacement (this I know for a fact and it's on the agenda)

I have 130,000 miles on it now. Even though I would love to take over my wife's 2011 LC I need to get a couple more years out of this. I only drive it 4 months out of the year and on really rainy days the rest of the year. It feels like I'm driving my sofa. Definitely a lot of side to side wallowing and all around softness.

I have definitely noticed it more since putting the bilsteins on the 2011.

Thanks for your thoughts.
Anthony

 

[2000UZJ]

I've had the Bilsteins 4600's on my 100 for about 40,000 miles. I can't quite comment on your situation (my setup is VERY different from everyone else's). I removed the rear shocks because they were too short for my liking (articulation), and rode like a dump truck. I still have them on the front and after a few dozen jumps and ~75 wheeling trips they are completely toast. The front end doesn't bounce at all, they just lost their firmness, the front end is beyond soft and at times very clunky. I plan on replacing them with Remote Res sometime soon, however for the cost you cannot go wrong. Worn out torsion bars can attribute, but with only 130,000 miles on your rig I would be shocked, give the torsion bars a few cranks and see what the result is.