Bilstein TC Sport Struts blown after 15k miles

[gforce1108]

Little background - stock struts/shocks replaced at 100k with Bilstein TCs with original springs.

Those were replaced at 200k with Bilstein TC Sport Strut/Shocks and a set of Jetta 1.8T springs (not GLI). Handled great but it rode too high for me (should have left it this way probably) so I installed a set of Eibach sport springs (1" lowering?).

Within 15k miles combined 1.8T+Eibach they were completely shot. I pulled them out to replace with Koni Oranges. There is no rebound dampening left at all on the Bilsteins. The only thing I think I did 'wrong' was to reuse the stock bump stops. I now have GTI bump stops installed. I would think this would have caused a ride problem, but prevented the struts from bottoming out?

I guess I should check on the warranty on them?

 

[BobnOH]

That's a rough deal, the billies are supposed to be the good ones.
Definitely check for warranty

 

[gforce1108]

That's a rough deal, the billies are supposed to be the good ones.
Definitely check for warranty

I was very happy with the first set - just want to make sure I didn't cause them to fail. Hopefully the Koni orange set hold up... Didn't read great things after I bought them.
At least I got to use my new toy - which will be better once I get it mounted to the wall:

 

[jptbay]

Holy mackerel! That's a nice compressor for home use.

The paint jumps right off the orange Koni's. They are not the same quality as the more expensive options from Koni. I have sent 2 sets in for warranty that were completely blown never mind rusted, but its a waste of time.

Love my FSD's though. Paints holding up great in the rust belt and they still perform beautifully.

 

[oilhammer]

The Branick strut compressors are great, used one for decades.

Ours is bolted to a wall, but I also used one that we made an adapter for to fit in an engine stand which worked well, too.

I've installed countless Billy shocks and struts over the years. The TCs I put on my Golf at around 390k miles, and at 503k miles now they still look and feel the exact same to me. And I have hauled trailers and somewhat heavy (for a Golf) loads many, many times. I have stock AWP GTI springs in mine. Stock wheels/tires.

I cannot say I have ever seen any of them "fail". I have seen a few higher mileage/older HDs start to leak juice, and I have seen a few of the OEM Billy shocks leak/fail on some Toyota and GM products. But again, they were pretty old and/or higher mileage. Heck, I am so happy with the brand I put a set on my Ford!

 

[gforce1108]

I found out yesterday that the Bilsteins have a lifetime warranty so they are going to get shipped back for evaluation... I have a set of Koni Yellows in the box still for my Passat. I just couldn't get myself to spend that much money on the Jetta. The Jetta has become more of a play toy and probably averages one day a week commuting and with 215k miles it's hard to justify the added cost of performance suspension.

As far as the strut compressor - I've been using those cheap threaded rod style for the last 25 years or so. I do probably average 5 strut/shock jobs a year and got tired of dealing with that unsafe crap... The Branick was the only one I saw that was worth the money. It certainly wasn't cheap - but the safety benefits make up for the cost. That and 1 finger spring compression!