Liberty Shocks - Whats the go?

by **specwarop** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:06 pm

Hey all,

I have a 2006 Liberty 3.0R-B and after 130,000km its time to replace the factory bilsteins.

Now not long ago I noticed you could get standard replacements on ebay, that were new or close to new, for about $500...
But I cannot seem to find these anymore.

So what shocks do you guys use now. I only have a budget of about $750, and whilst I know this is not much, I am not after anything super high performance.
Just something that will be as good as the original bilsteins, or better. Also would entertain the idea of coilovers if such a thing exists, at that price, and are quality.
Part numbers would also be handy if possible.

Also, where do you source them from? I am very keen on the internet purchasing.

Kind Regards

by **seanmau5** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:13 pm

I'm pretty sure that all the eBay Bilsteins which were available through Wheelpower Claremont are all gone.

You'd be able to get a second hand set of BC coilovers for about $700-$800. I'm not sure what other manufacturer's struts people use.

by **BillyCorgi** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:43 pm

Yes,
I had some tyres fitted by Claremont about August last year and they confirmed they had all gone.
They were left over from the TBSTI conversions.
AGR tyres at Sefton were also selling the Spec B wheels
They have all gone as well.

by **specwarop** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:45 pm

Damn, I guess people realise as they are selling very second hands sets for the same price now on ebay...

by **specwarop** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 11:07 pm

What good options are there for us poor people?

by **JimSchntz** » Tue Feb 18, 2014 4:02 pm

Why don't you get the struts re-built? One place in Melb quoted me about $200 a corner

by **Robbks** » Tue Feb 18, 2014 4:04 pm

As above

Contact Heasemans Suspension who are Aus Bilstien agents for a rebuild price.
they can do custom valving to suit stiffer springs too if you wish

by **specwarop** » Tue Feb 18, 2014 4:17 pm

Even $800 seems a lot for shocks....

by **swingn** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 10:30 am

For reference, a new set of Bilsteins & springs (Eibach) are worth around 2K.

Rebuilding would set you back somewhere around $600 - $800 in total... If you go down this option, you could look at getting them custom valved to suits your specific needs. Mind you, if you're anything like me, you won't know where to begin when giving the place instructions

Not that I'm a huge fan - Albeit they've come along way over the years - for around 1K you could get yourself some BC coil overs. If you were happy with the Bilsteins & you're only driving on the street, I'd suggest this would be a good option / upgrade for you.

As usual, although your wallet may have a baring on what you can do vs what you would like to do, when these circumstances come up you're better off making the right choice & spending the extra coin. For instance, if you were intending on doing a but of track work in the future, you'd probably be better off getting some Tein coil overs. Will keep you happier in the long run

by **specwarop** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 8:18 pm

Where does one get the BC Coilovers? Are the Kido coilovers worth looking at?

by **shav** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:23 pm

specwarop wrote:Where does one get the BC Coilovers? Are the Kido coilovers worth looking at?

Zerosport Coilover thread & prices
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=16719

Kido Coilover thread and prices
viewtopic.php?f=63&t=12777

BC Racing coilover thread and prices
viewtopic.php?f=69&t=24075

by **bigBADbenny** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:32 pm

If you do get the billies revalved just ask for standard, street or comfort as anything else may be too firm aka track oriented

by **specwarop** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:41 pm

Ok thanks for that much appreciated.

I am going to look at my current Billies and determine if they even need replacing first.
After seeing people sell Bilsteins on ebay for $500+ and the items are used (in one case up to 180,000km), I wanna check if i cant get some life out of mine still.
Can I just do the age-old bounce test, and then check for leaks?

Regards

by **Gomez** » Sat Feb 22, 2014 2:32 pm

There is a set of 2nd hand Pedders coilovers on the for sales section for $800, that could be an option, Subaru once quoted me $1500 for new front bilstien shocks, needless to say I laughed at the guy....

by **shav** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 7:51 am

Gomez wrote:There is a set of 2nd hand Pedders coilovers on the for sales section for $800, that could be an option, Subaru once quoted me $1500 for new front bilstien shocks, needless to say I laughed at the guy....

for a few hundred more over the Pedders, you may as well get BC BR's brand new with warranty.