Bilstein dampers

[p.mole1]

Can you get these rebuilt? I have checked Bilsteins web site but I couldn't seem to find anything

[TomB]

Yes, you can.  Have a look in the archives (using Google Lotus7club: bilstein rebuild) and Im sure you find something.  

[garybee]

I disassembled a broken one recently and was very surprised by the state of the insides (very clean, no noticeable wear despite being 16 years old).  I'd be interested to know if these are pre-charged or if the pressure in the gas chamber is raised purely by the reduction in volume during assembly (you have to push a cap down the cylinder to fit a retaining circlip).  There doesn't appear to be any provision for charging the gas chamber (valve etc.).

[p.mole1]

Thanks, I'm sure they are gas charged as one of mine is very hard to compress and it returns to it's original position after being compressed

[DJ.]

I found a leaking damper last winter and as they had done 42000 miles, I decided to do all four. I repeatedly tried phoning Bilstein UK and would be put through to the service department only forit to ring and ring.

 

I never got a price for rebuilding them, but decided in the end to buy four new dampers as unless they charge well under £100 per damper, by the time I added postage both ways, the saving wouldn't be more than £20 a damper.

 

I can definitely feel the difference!

 

Duncan

[Nigel B]

I believe Bilstein have a place in Leicester that rebuilds dampers. 
 

https://www.bilstein.com/uk/en/blog/welcome-technical-centre-uk/

Here, I think. I've never had it done myself, but it's often mentioned when the subject is discussed.

[revilla]

I took mine there a few years back. Very good service. I think they cost £80 but it was a while back. I needed some additional platform circlip grooves machining in the bodies too and they did them while I waited ... and watched. Real old school machinist broken off what he was doing on his digital lathe (hand making McLaren dampers!) to do them for me. Can't fault them.

[p.mole1]

Thanks I'll give that a try

[Tazio]

BILSTEIN TECHNICAL CENTER UK

Unit 7 Vitruvius Way, Meridian Business Park
LE19 1WA Leicester, England
PHONE
+44 116 289 8345
FAX
+44 116 289 9021
MAIL
sales@kruppbilstein.co.uk *
WEB
bilstein.com

I've had a few done £80 each plus vat, if they need to replace the chrome rods for pitting or wear, they are about £20 a pop Dave is the Workshop Manager, and can do a quick turnaround. 

[Wrightpayne]

I had mine rebuilt there last year - great service!

[p.mole1]

Thanks everyone,

Do you know where I can get replacement springs? I am looking for 200lb springs for the front. I notice that the Caterham springs seem to Eibach

[elie boone]

There is a club discount with DFaulkner springs. Since march i try to buy bushes from Bilstein with no luck but there was a intermediate company that would charge me 4 times the price of Bilstein ! I'll try my luck later in the year if things are back to normal.

[garybee]

The bushes on the body end of the damper look difficult to replace.  It's not a straight bore but a lot narrower in the centre than the outer ends.  

[p.mole1]

 Thanks Elie, Caterham sell the rubber bushes but I think they are £12 each !. From memory I think the bushes are quite easy to fit. The steel bush just pops out then is just a case of pushing in the bush with a vice and a bit of soap. I am sure you can get bushes from the likes of Powerflex or one of the other manufacturers. 

[Wrightpayne]

Bushes were changed in mine as part of the refurb at Bilstein.

Ian

[elie boone]

A Bilstein for a live axle uses different bushes than the one from a DD.