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Bilstein sport struts review

I figured since not too many people have talked about the Bilstein sport struts I will post how I feel about them.

Basically I was looking for a high performance damper that was well suited for use with stock springs. But I also wanted them to be capable of handling a very mild drop of about an inch with progressive rate springs if I decide to do that in the future. I had KYB AGX's on my other civic and they weren’t really as firm as you would think for high performance shocks so I was looking mainly at Koni yellows and the Bilsteins. I didn't care about adjustability because I had it with the AGX's and only adjusted them a couple times and it didn’t seem to make a huge difference anyway. The reason I decided to go for the Bilsteins over the Konis is because I feel better about the beefy mono-tube design and the huge piston diameter. Plus they are close to the same price and the Bilsteins are easier to install. Knowing that Bilsteins are OEM equipment on many performance cars from BMW and others also weighed in on my decision.

I ordered them and they only had the front ones in stock and the rears where on backorder. So I got the fronts about 2 months ago and had to wait about another month and a half to get the rears. One thing to note is that the Bilsteins come with 16mm crash bolt holes instead of 14mm like on the 01-02 so there is some extra play room for camber adjustment even without a camber kit if you have a 01 or 02. I don’t think it will cause any problems but I just thought I would let everyone know. On the first drive the difference was immediate. They are very firm compared to stock and the car no longer wallows and bounces over bumps in the street like it did with my 125k old stockers (note my stock shocks where still good not leaking, just a little weak). It’s so nice to go over a speed bump and not have the car bounce around.

I can honestly say that my car with stock springs and non performance oriented 195/60/15 tires handles much more confidently. It feels more responsive and the body roll was reduced as well. Buying these was WELL worth the wait and money I had to spend. I would do it all over again if I needed to.

 
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Nice review. Not many people have these.
Pics of install or on the car? What springs are you using?

One thing, you run the risk of camber slipping with the 16mm bolt holes. You have to be sure you tighten the bolts really well. However, if you take a corner too hard, things will eventually slip.

 
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Can they handle a drop though?

 
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I have the B+G full coilovers.....suppose to be the bilstein strut/shock. I friggin love em! Awesome A++ handling.....I beat the every living **** out of em and they're still going.

Blew out my compliance bushings before anything else

 
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Im using stock springs just cause I dont like having to crawl over dips and speed bumps.

Im pretty sure the camber bolts wont slip because there is some play even with the stock struts for minimal adjustment. and if they do I have lifetime alignment so It will be ok. I was thinking if I find a crashed 03-05 ill take the knuckles but untill then im sure its fine.

 
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Ill take some pics when I get home today. They look sick lol

 
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waiting for the pics...i just ordered the tokico blues (front & rear). I just need a camber kit now then i can get the drop.

 
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Good to hear about the Bilsteins. I was wondering about those. It's really helpful for me to hear they work with stock springs, because I have the GC Springs designed for the OEM shocks so I was thinking about getting the Blues, but we'll see now.

 
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I’ve drove cars with the blues and they are pretty good. Much better then stock but its still not firm. The Bilsteins have a much higher dampening capacity and seem to be better built. These defiantly wont work with any sleeved coilovers since the diameter of the shock body is much bigger then stock in both the front and rear.

 
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You should chime into my thread about suspension. I've never done anything with suspension ever, so I'm a real n00b with it. I'm trying to learn before I go or it. And realize I have the wrong parts.

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...ml#post4298810

 
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in for pics. how much did the set cost you?

 
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x2 and how big of a drop can they support?

 
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I wouldnt want to drop the car very low with these maybe like 1.5" or so... Ill give Bilstein a call on monday and get a for sure answer. Pics comming right up

 
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Ok here ya go...

 
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Pics up

 
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Bob,
I'm glad you've decide to join me. Hope the ride in my car was a contributing factor to your decision. Thanks for helping me with clutch job last time. Would you be interested in helping me replace the front control arm bushing with poly ones? PM me it you're intersted.

For those who are interested, I did an initial review two years ago on the Bilstein here: https://www.civicforums.com/forums/4...very-long.html

I've since put over 40K miles on it and they are still working like new. Best shocks I've ever put on a car IMHO.

 
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EX4Dr and dopes... awesome reviews!

Does anyone here have these Struts/Shocks installed on their 2001 or 2002 vehicle?

2001 & 2002 Civic's have 14mm Crash Bolt Holes.

After calling Bilstein, they confirmed that the Struts they produce for our cars are 16mm holes, intended for a 2003-2005 Civic's.

Is there a way around this small issue, if I were to get these Struts/Shocks installed on my 2002?

I'm thinking there might be some kind of Washer or something that can be used?

Has anyone here have any ideas or have encountered/solved this problem?

I've read many posts about people enlarging the hole on their suspension to accomodate the 16mm hole, but not once have I read it the other way around.

Any kind of input would be appreciated.

 
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^ How would a washer help if the holes in your suspension are 2 mm too small? LOL You have a 2002 that has 14mm holes and you need 16 mm holes so the only solution would be to drill them out... correct me if I'm wrong.

 
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Not sure if this is the washer, as I haven't confirmed yet... but if you look at Page 9 of this link http://www.tein.com/tech_info/inst/2a22u.pdf... bottom left... there are 4 washers, Part Number: SAP40-G1985.

I could see those washers working, because if the inner diameter of the washer hole is 14mm, and the remaining 2mm is to sit flush along the inside of the Strut Mounting Bracket hole of 16mm, it should work.

I'm also trying to find an actual picture of the washer right out of the Tein SS-P or SS box.

 
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wrong. he would have to replace the lca. hes looking for washers that fit inside the clevis bracket to minimize the gap in the bracket between 14mm and 16mm. all i can say is call around your tein dealers

 
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My bad, I stand corrected.

 
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14mm bolts with the Bilsteins does work as long as its tightened to spec. Thats the way I have it and I havent lost the alignment. You just have a little bit of wiggle room for different alignment settings. It wont cause any problems. My car is an 01 sedan

 
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Anybody got a link to a decent price? Every bilstein front struts is like double the koni's!!!??

 
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check the forsale section.. exturbo is thinking of selling his