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Hi,
Unless you have better luck that most of us, you might be beating a dead horse.
Only Bilstein will take responsibility and then from a squeaky high volume dealer.
I don’t know if IPD would be considered one at this stage of the game.
Hi
Check for some kind of production numbers to put into the mix.
Bilstein should know how long they can sit on a shelf plus a life expectancy.
Personally, I have had KYBs sit on my shelves in the original boxes for probably too long but they still work.
All gas shocks should keep the tires rolling round without tread wearing in any unusual way.
You want stable movements and some life.
If they gurgle when pushed back and forth they are shot but it hard to test them not mounted.
Drive and ride them and look for leakage is about the only way to decide for sure.
Any bouncing or vibrations or shaking told you that. Sounds like their blown.
There are many brands out there but if they make their to fit American cars from the factory you probably don’t want those.
I think Monroe and Gabriel are well known today but their the same ones that put out facsimiles or factory junk.
In years past or domestic three of the USA have always put junk under them IMO.
30,000 miles was about all you could get on those oil only shocks back up the 70 & 80’s.
GAS over OIL came on later cars around then very slowly.
European competition from “Citroen” made that happen in the USA, slowly.
I never priced other shocks as the KYB seemed very reasonable to me with some reputation like the 240’s.
Simple device concept but the Japanese gave into better machining or quality control.
I mean, how much should better sealing and some nitrogen gas cost?
The air around us is 80% it’s just not so compressed. 😵💫
I shopped around as prices will vary from those who gouge for trying to “up sell” to emotions.
Same thing happens in funeral parlors.
Ever wondered why they were named “parlors.” Because that Name is also used for rooms for … milking cows. 👀 🤫. They like calmness. 🥱
Retailers be 👀 for those with gleaming stars in the eyes or a holy grail for better performance something?
Car salesmen are trained in exploitation.
Both of those qualities seem to go hand in hand. IMHO.
SAME goes for those with overly thrifty mindednesses.
Get what you pay for if you mind the middle.
I Try to buy in the middle of the road valued items and not follow gimmicks and any fads.
Microsoft bit me good enough 25 years ago.
Probably why I liked Volvo 240 so much.
The company did their shopping well on them
Maybe they were Bilstein or French brand shocks.
That was in the years past, I think they have had several problems with production in countries, as many companies have. Appears they are not the same quality anymore.
My other cars have KYBs in some places or are still original but I only buy used cars. Some really bad struts came from a tire shop I think. No name but they were made down in Venezuela!
This opinion has showed up in many posts with fitting properly to out right failures like yours.
I have a 1978 GT with 350k mikes on my original components under the front.
Sure they are worn or even shit and things squeak from old bushings.
I hear them when I drive around in my backyard over gopher mounds but the tires still evenly.
It’s not a daily driver by no means with up to 20 or less mile trips at a time.
I have replacements ready but the car never seems to rise to a level of needing immediate attention.
I’m just to lazy to care a whole lot as we have both aged.
If and when I do work on the struts they will be KYB. It has rears shocks from so long ago I cannot remember when I changed them.
I think one of the original rears of unknown brand, may have leaked oil some 25 or 30 years ago.
My KYB’s on the rear are still good.
As they do not work with so much geometry as a front end.
Both are made to control up and down dampening and that’s about all in reality.
I don’t get the big deal for the average consumer driving.
Buying a vehicle warrants it lasting many of thousands of miles.
Shock absorbers should have that achievement laid to rest!
Anyways, those are my feelings and yes, I know I wasn’t all that shocking! 🌝
Phil
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