Bilstein 5100 rattle

[Polar61]

I’ve read through some of the older threads on this topic but wondering if any had any new information on Bilstein 5100 rattle. Just got off phone with Bilstein and I think this guy has had this conversation so many times that he had an answer for everything and why “it’s not Bilstein’s fault-it’s thousands of mechanics faulty install. Anyone been through this and has any current info on fix or their experience?

[HeySkippyDog]

What exactly is rattling? Front? Rear? Both?

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[Polar61]

It’s the front strut piston rid rattling. Google Bilstein 5100 rattle and there will be more than you can read. Here’s a link to a thread on this site. In that thread there’s another link to read.

 

[Jh8473]

Did you hammer it on,The ring? Maybe tighten the nut a couple of turns.

[Polar61]

For those who are not familiar with all this I suggest reading link above. A GM certified mechanic installed and followed Bilstein’s instructions. It’s fairly simple. I did it myself on previous Tacoma. This post is in hope that some will reply who have experience with this particular situation. For the record “no” the snap ring wasn’t hammered on and yes the nut has been re-tightened twice. BTW-2018 Silverado Z71 LT Crew

 

[2018GMC]

I had a similar problem. When driving over dips or bumps i would hear a clunking / knocking in the  front end.

 

The nut was tight on the shock rod. The problem was the nut bilstein supplied was bottomed out on the rod. The factory nuts have threads at the top and space at the bottom. I installed the factory rod nuts on the 5100's and its been quiet as stock since.

[Polar61]

On 10/29/2019 at 10:46 PM, 2018GMC said:

I had a similar problem. When driving over dips or bumps i would hear a clunking / knocking in the  front end.

 

The nut was tight on the shock rod. The problem was the nut bilstein supplied was bottomed out on the rod. The factory nuts have threads at the top and space at the bottom. I installed the factory rod nuts on the 5100's and its been quiet as stock since.

So hopefully tomorrow I’ll be replacing Bilstein nut with OE nut. Did you add any extra washers as others mentioned doing? Some had also adding Bilstein nut on top of OE nut as a double nut. Probably couldn’t hurt.

[2018GMC]

So hopefully tomorrow I’ll be replacing Bilstein nut with OE nut. Did you add any extra washers as others mentioned doing? Some had also adding Bilstein nut on top of OE nut as a double nut. Probably couldn’t hurt.

 

Just added oe nut and tightened down. It’s been quiet since.

[Polar61]

Can I ask how you tightened nut? In another thread some were saying with weight on wheels they hammered it down with impact gun. Doesn’t make sense as piston rod would just spin.

[2018GMC]

Can I ask how you tightened nut? In another thread some were saying with weight on wheels they hammered it down with impact gun. Doesn’t make sense as piston rod would just spin.

 

Truck on wheels like normal. Held strut rod top with tiny wrench or use vice grip on top of rod. NOT on the shiny part! Then tightened nut by hand as tight as I could with wrench. [emoji123]

[Polar61]

10 minutes ago, 2018GMC said:

 

Truck on wheels like normal. Held strut rod top with tiny wrench or use vice grip on top of rod. NOT on the shiny part! Then tightened nut by hand as tight as I could with wrench.

Yeah that’s how I tightened when noise first appeared. Crossing my fingers!!!