2010 Liberty GT Bilstein OEM shocks replacement?

[ilib11]

Hi!
2010 Liberty GT sedan, auto, 180K. Got an irregular clanking sound from left side, not specific to rpm or brakes applied, most noticeable on low speed, in turns and/or on uneven surface.
A reputable service very thoroughly investigated and came to conclusion that it is a shock absorber.

It is a yellow one (Bilstein), original part numbers are

20310AJ063 shock absorber right
20310AJ073 shock absorber left

Looks like the OEM parts are not available and Bilstein web site does not have any suggestions too.
What would be the best replacement?

Appreciate your thoughts,
ilib11

[LibertyTragic]

Cheapest option would be to find a second hand set at a wreckers.

Otherwise, consider replacing with coilovers if you are into the modding side of things. Gives you the option to lower the vehicle properly. Just note there are some sacrifices with this route such as increased NVH and you need to choose carefully if you want to maintain comfort.

[ilib11]

Hi LibertyTragic,
Thank you for the reply!

I started looking for the options around re coil overs and also try to summarize what I would like:

do Not want:

1. Make the car lower. It low enough for me as I have it now. BTW, is Liberty GT lower than an ordinary Liberty from the factory?
As a reference, I have the following measurements for 225/45/R18:
Front: 39cm from wheel axle to the fender edge, 8cm from top of the wheel to to the fender edge
Rear: 37cm from wheel axle to the fender edge, 6cm from top of the wheel to to the fender edge

2. Make it significantly more noisy inside. A bit of noise is ok - like as of now, I can hear difference of the types of asphalt I drive on.

3. Make is extreme harsh. Current stock Bilstein feels ok, but I probably would not want a "harder version"

would be good:

1. "better handling" over the stock option

2. have an adjustment options for strut parameters without taking it off the car




I have now looked at the following:
1. New KYB Suspension Strut - Excel-G - 339238/339239 as advised - but KYB website does not have an option for Liberty GT, these 339238/339239 are for for 3.6L.
Also found in Internet a saying that KYB means "Keep Your Bilsteins"

2. MCA suspension - I considered their Pro Sport but they look pricey and I do not know if they are noisy or not

3. Bilstein set PN: BTS5081J from https://www.rhdjapan.com/bilstein-coilover-suspension-br9-bm9.html - google search by partnumber reveals:
"Only for turbo. Down rate: BR9 front: 30mm, rear: 20mm, BM9 front: 30mm, rear 10mm. Spring rate: Front 3.2kgf/mm, Rear 4.0kgf/mm." Not sure what does it mean - do they
make the vehicle lower than our stock version?

4. USA market (Rockauto) has MONROE 72684/72685 struts , SACHS 315814/315815 struts and MONROE 272684 /272685 strut and spring and mount
Not sure what they are but they are cheap there! Less than AU$200 per strut/spring/mount set.

5. There are Cusco Touring A struts marketed as OEM replacement for Liberty GT and Street A coil overs - does anyone know if they are any good? Would Cusco struts work with stock Bilstein springs?

Regards, ilib11

[bigBADbenny]

Re-pack the front struts with grease?
Its a known Bilstein issue.

[ilib11]

Grease would not help - it is a short term fix unfortunately. There are sleeve bearings that worn out, not the grease.
A rebuild is possible, but it is an experiment by itself, it may or may not work and would take time. I need the car running. So probably will replace the struts and then try to rebuild Bilsteins for the sake of experiment.

That is what I found:

Apparently Bilstein use SKF bearings - uses SKF — PCM 404420 E sleeve bearing with PTFE layer like this

SKF — PCM 404420 E

11.jpg (23.51 KiB) Viewed 2389 times

here

bilstein

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Available here https://au.rs-online.com/web/p/plain-bearings/2372263
Substisution - ISB KU4040SF1SN, it is twice longer (40mm). It has been reported that longer bearing is better, also people use two sets of original 404420 E instead of one, ( i.e. up to 4 pcs total per 1 shock absorber). Longer version of SKF is also available: PCM 404440 E.

For top sealing - original Bilstein is E4-B36-800A size 39.9*45.8*5.5/7.2RM F01, HINO seal 9031040001 or TOYOTA LEXUS seal 9031040001 with some manual adjustments are reported as a substitution. 
For internal rubber shock bumper - RBI O14201 or Honda 52722S5A004


Regards, ilil11

[RX25SE]

Have you investigated the Koni option?

A bit pricey (well worth it IMO) and may require fitting the Koni inserts to a set of standard shocks, then fitting to your car with your springs. I know with GenIV there is no Koni option to replace the Bilstein, due to the 'upside down' arrangement of the Bilsteins struts.

I have had Koni's before (3 cars) and rate them above the Bilsteins.

[ilib11]

Thank you, RX25SE!

I made a quick search and could not find any Koni for Gen V ....Will look yet another time.

[RX25SE]

I see what you mean! I had a quick look and nothing came up for GenV, only GenIV?

[ilib11]

I even could not find the Gen 4 ones....

BTW, had a chat with Bilstein Australia - they could potentially do reconditioning the front shocks. If they are NOT they are crimp sealed like the rear shocks. This service is $705 inc gst per pair. I am trying to get more details from them.

I also try to figure out if our Bilstein suspension is already shorter than a standard one. Looking on the vehicle photos, ordinary Liberties look sitting higher. May someone help with measuring their Liberty from a wheel axle to the edge of the fender please - I have figures for my car would be good to see what others have.

Front
wheel centre -> fender edge: 39 cm
wheel top-> fender edge: 8cm

Rear
wheel centre -> fender edge: 37 cm
wheel top-> fender edge: 6cm


Would it be OK to go 3 cm lower from my current settings - as per the picture? Or will the tyre hit the metal on bumpy roads? Appreciate your opinion on that, please share!

measurement

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Regards, Ilib11

[bigBADbenny]

Grease would not help - it is a short term fix unfortunately.

If so: the Bilstein re-pack threads here and there recommend adding grease nipples to the strut housings so the grease can be topped up as required.

An option to get you by eg if you're getting new dampers, eventually.

Great work finding the specific bearing info!

Koni's are awesome (we have them in our prefl 2.5i) and have been done on a GenV here, but as mentioned they require a set of KYB strut housings: an easy pick from your local self serve wreckers... Would gen4 KYB front strut housings work? Potentially: if the lower knuckles, spring perches etc are compatible...

I'll try to find that post.

[ilib11]

Yes, there is a suggestion to add grease nipples to the strut housings..... I tried to dig out the results of that - yes, grease will muffle the clunk sounds for a while but will not eliminate them as the sounds come from worn out bearings where the shock strut cartridge have a room to play. And long term your grease you keep adding just goes down inside the strut case and eventually fill the bottom part of the strut case.

[bigBADbenny]

According to what source?

Regarding your lowering question, if you’re on stock tyres & rims etc, your clearance after lowering should be fine, since the stock vehicle must comply to be able to run tyre chains, meaning ample clearance all round.

You might require KCA326 Rear Control Arm Upper - Inner Bushing Kit, to correct rear camber: if (like a Gen4) lowering results in excessive camber.

Be sure to reset every lateral arm bolt at static height, on ramps or over a pit, after lowering the car: to prevent the bushes from chewing out from torsional loading.

[ilib11]

Update from Bilstein Australia re Rebuild the front struts:

This service is $705 inc gst per pair. They shall be as per the photo below ( as they said NOT crimp sealed where the chrome tube meets the lower body and they checked the photo attached)

Send them as stripped down as possible to both save on freight cost for you and also we charge a fee if we have to remove top mounts and spring etc.
Whether you take them off and send them to us, or you give it to a mechanic is up to you.
Our turn around ETA at the moment is 2-3 weeks from the time we receive them.

Bilstein Suspension Australia P: 02 9516 1182 | http://www.bilstein.com.au 407 Princes Hwy, Sydenham, NSW 2044 (access via Hilton Ave)

Address to send the struts to: ATTN: Engineering 455-463 Princes Hwy, Sydenham, NSW 2044. Please make sure you include your contact details on or in the box.

Bilstein

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[ilib11]

Thank you , bigBADdenny !

Re According to what source - there were posts I found form people who tried the grease nipples and they did not work long term, I think it lasted for 2-3 k only, with some pictures of excessive amount of grease on the thin rod with rubber bushes (the side which bolted to the bottom end of the strut).

Thank you for advise on lowering - I do not know that amount of details for sure. So probably better for me to stay away from lowering.

Regards, ilib11

[bigBADbenny]

That’s great about the rebuild service, iirc koni’s will run you c$1600, before the strut mods… anyone know a more inexpensive source than eBay?

If Bilstein offer a sport damping option: avoid it: too harsh