Bilstein front sport shocks, both have failed
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 2
From: Montreal
Bilstein front sport shocks, both have failed
Has anybody experienced any premature failures from Arnott's Bilstein front sport shock kit?
I had a pair installed along with Arnott Gen 1 bags around 8 months ago. All of a sudden, the car started driving like a boat (very bouncy), with no damping on rebound of bumps. My mechanic confirmed that both Bilsteins had somehow failed. Aside from the occasional pothole, which I always try to avoid, the car was never driven hard, never abused.
Arnott will refund me, but I'm wondering, aside from the expensive OEMs, are there any better shocks for the C5 allroad in the same price range as the Bilsteins? Do you think I just got a bad batch?
(I'm willing to pay a bit more if they will last longer than the disapointing Bilsteins.)
Thanks,
Dan
I had a pair installed along with Arnott Gen 1 bags around 8 months ago. All of a sudden, the car started driving like a boat (very bouncy), with no damping on rebound of bumps. My mechanic confirmed that both Bilsteins had somehow failed. Aside from the occasional pothole, which I always try to avoid, the car was never driven hard, never abused.
Arnott will refund me, but I'm wondering, aside from the expensive OEMs, are there any better shocks for the C5 allroad in the same price range as the Bilsteins? Do you think I just got a bad batch?
(I'm willing to pay a bit more if they will last longer than the disapointing Bilsteins.)
Thanks,
Dan
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
Bad batch, or bad installation... I've had mine for over 4 years now. I had the 'clunk' in the beginning because of the poor design adapters(the sleeves that go over the struts). Arnott sent me the revised design about half a year later. No problems since then.
If you find other struts you still need some kind of adapters to seal-fit the air springs. That's why you either go OEM or Bilisteins ...
Some people complained about Bilisteins leaking oil. That's what it may have happened with yours. They say it could be because the allroad is heavier than the a6 or a4 that these Bilisteins were designed initially for...
If you find other struts you still need some kind of adapters to seal-fit the air springs. That's why you either go OEM or Bilisteins ...
Some people complained about Bilisteins leaking oil. That's what it may have happened with yours. They say it could be because the allroad is heavier than the a6 or a4 that these Bilisteins were designed initially for...
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 2
From: Montreal
Thanks for the info indoor. I'll probably give it another try with a pair of Bilsteins, unless I can find a reasonable deal somewhere on OEMs.
It was probably a just bad batch, and there has been some extreme cold here in Montreal this winter so maybe that's a factor. I don't think it was a bad installation; my garage is a specialty Audi/VW garage and had done tons of work on many allroads.
Thanks,
Dan
It was probably a just bad batch, and there has been some extreme cold here in Montreal this winter so maybe that's a factor. I don't think it was a bad installation; my garage is a specialty Audi/VW garage and had done tons of work on many allroads.
Thanks,
Dan
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: Finland
Guys, Arnott Bilsteins are not made for Allroad. It's a standard A6 shock with an extension on top. Instead of Bilsteins, I have installed original models from here: http://www.air-suspension-shop.com/A...rs-4Z7413031A-
They are surprisingly good for value and working well after 20.000 kilometres. Couple of friends have been satisfied as well.
Torsti
They are surprisingly good for value and working well after 20.000 kilometres. Couple of friends have been satisfied as well.
Torsti
Has anybody experienced any premature failures from Arnott's Bilstein front sport shock kit?
I had a pair installed along with Arnott Gen 1 bags around 8 months ago. All of a sudden, the car started driving like a boat (very bouncy), with no damping on rebound of bumps. My mechanic confirmed that both Bilsteins had somehow failed. Aside from the occasional pothole, which I always try to avoid, the car was never driven hard, never abused.
Arnott will refund me, but I'm wondering, aside from the expensive OEMs, are there any better shocks for the C5 allroad in the same price range as the Bilsteins? Do you think I just got a bad batch?
(I'm willing to pay a bit more if they will last longer than the disapointing Bilsteins.)
Thanks,
Dan
I had a pair installed along with Arnott Gen 1 bags around 8 months ago. All of a sudden, the car started driving like a boat (very bouncy), with no damping on rebound of bumps. My mechanic confirmed that both Bilsteins had somehow failed. Aside from the occasional pothole, which I always try to avoid, the car was never driven hard, never abused.
Arnott will refund me, but I'm wondering, aside from the expensive OEMs, are there any better shocks for the C5 allroad in the same price range as the Bilsteins? Do you think I just got a bad batch?
(I'm willing to pay a bit more if they will last longer than the disapointing Bilsteins.)
Thanks,
Dan
AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I thought I had a bad tie rod end or ends or yet another bad control arm, but that was not the case. Turns out the front Bilsteins I got from Arnott in 2012 are shot.
I should have known from the handling but I never did bounce the fender, but when my mechanic showed me it was obvious -- the nose bounced up and down 4 or 5 times.
I just got off the phone with Arnott who is out of Bilsteins for the front and does not expect to have any for at least 12 months. The guy said this was maybe the second time he has seen these come back...but that doesn't seem plausible given all the posts about these shocks rattling and/or failing and their disappearance from inventory. Sounds like they may be getting re-worked.
Arnott is going to credit me for the purchase price once i return the shocks to them, which is a PITA but better than nothing.
I followed the link above looking from OEMs and found nothing.
So is it full-price OEM or nothing?
I should have known from the handling but I never did bounce the fender, but when my mechanic showed me it was obvious -- the nose bounced up and down 4 or 5 times.
I just got off the phone with Arnott who is out of Bilsteins for the front and does not expect to have any for at least 12 months. The guy said this was maybe the second time he has seen these come back...but that doesn't seem plausible given all the posts about these shocks rattling and/or failing and their disappearance from inventory. Sounds like they may be getting re-worked.
Arnott is going to credit me for the purchase price once i return the shocks to them, which is a PITA but better than nothing.
I followed the link above looking from OEMs and found nothing.
So is it full-price OEM or nothing?
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: Finland
Better shocks
JR, I hope the link works now. I'm not a salesman of these guys. But I'm very happy with their products. I've had their front shocks for 15000 miles and still going strong. http://www.air-suspension-shop.com/A...sign-1999-2005
In here, OEMs are 450 euros each. These identical ones are 145 euros + shipping.
I don't recommend to buy Arnott's Bilsteins since they are not made for Allroad. They are just normal A6 shocks with an extra socket on top.
So your choices are:
1. OEM
2. http://www.air-suspension-shop.com/A...sign-1999-2005
3. Arnott Bilstein
Torsti
In here, OEMs are 450 euros each. These identical ones are 145 euros + shipping.
I don't recommend to buy Arnott's Bilsteins since they are not made for Allroad. They are just normal A6 shocks with an extra socket on top.
So your choices are:
1. OEM
2. http://www.air-suspension-shop.com/A...sign-1999-2005
3. Arnott Bilstein
Torsti
I thought I had a bad tie rod end or ends or yet another bad control arm, but that was not the case. Turns out the front Bilsteins I got from Arnott in 2012 are shot.
I should have known from the handling but I never did bounce the fender, but when my mechanic showed me it was obvious -- the nose bounced up and down 4 or 5 times.
I just got off the phone with Arnott who is out of Bilsteins for the front and does not expect to have any for at least 12 months. The guy said this was maybe the second time he has seen these come back...but that doesn't seem plausible given all the posts about these shocks rattling and/or failing and their disappearance from inventory. Sounds like they may be getting re-worked.
Arnott is going to credit me for the purchase price once i return the shocks to them, which is a PITA but better than nothing.
I followed the link above looking from OEMs and found nothing.
So is it full-price OEM or nothing?
I should have known from the handling but I never did bounce the fender, but when my mechanic showed me it was obvious -- the nose bounced up and down 4 or 5 times.
I just got off the phone with Arnott who is out of Bilsteins for the front and does not expect to have any for at least 12 months. The guy said this was maybe the second time he has seen these come back...but that doesn't seem plausible given all the posts about these shocks rattling and/or failing and their disappearance from inventory. Sounds like they may be getting re-worked.
Arnott is going to credit me for the purchase price once i return the shocks to them, which is a PITA but better than nothing.
I followed the link above looking from OEMs and found nothing.
So is it full-price OEM or nothing?
Last edited by Torsti Tenhunen; Mar 23, 2014 at 11:46 PM. Reason: Added a comment
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