GT3 - Rebuilding OE Bilstein Dampers

[David Hype]

Hi guys, does anyone have any experience of getting their original GT3 Mk2 (or Mk1 for that matter) Bilstein dampers rebuilt?

My specific questions are...

Is it cost effective over direct replacement with a new set of OE parts?

I would much prefer not to modify my car, but can better be had for similar cost?

If I go the rebuild route what do they actually replace and do they come back `as new` externally too?

Can this service be arranged privately or do you have go through someone with connections?

My rears are slightly weeping (according to my OPC and my MOT chap) the car has done just on 17K miles is this problem a mileage or time based thing?

Thanks in advance...

[anonymous-user]

David Hype said:

Is it cost effective over direct replacement with a new set of OE parts?

yes I would think so. You wouldn't be able to tell the difference between new and properly serviced dampers

David Hype said:

I would much prefer not to modify my car, but can better be had for similar cost?

Not really in absolute terms and certainly not for the same money. Bilsteins are quality dampers, that's why they are OE.

David Hype said:

If I go the rebuild route what do they actually replace and do they come back `as new` externally too?

Internal consumables eg. fluid, seals, valving shims etc. You can also get them rebuilt to a different valving spec if you prefer i.e. softer, stiffer than std.
External mounting bushes too. Externally they will look like they did before the service, but doesn't matter

David Hype said:

Can this service be arranged privately or do you have go through someone with connections?

Not sure, but I think available to anyone

David Hype said:

My rears are slightly weeping (according to my OPC and my MOT chap) the car has done just on 17K miles is this problem a mileage or time based thing?

Most likely from spirited track usage (very hard on suspension components) or from being driven regularly on poor road surfaces. Load rather than time based degradation.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 13th October 10:34

[red997]

Chris @ centre gravity is your man for this - and you'll need an alignment completing when they are refitted; Bear in mind that the spring perches are likely to be seized too

[anonymous-user]

Worth adding that all dampers do 'go off' with usage as the valve shims weaken and the fluid becomes contaminated with dirt. On a professional racing car you would routinely rebuild dampers after every race. A bit overkill for the average punter, but I would suggest an annual damper service on any track focused car is good practice. But people often seem to overlook this aspect.

[DiscoColin]

David Hype said:

{rebuilt dampers} Is it cost effective over direct replacement with a new set of OE parts?

When I had mine done the other year it was <£100 each against £380+VAT per corner for new ones, so - erm: kinda...

They basically rebuild them to as new internals and test them on a shock dyno to make sure that the performance of pairs matches. There really isn't a better way to go. The only catch is that there is generally a backlog. Chris Franklin at Centre Gravity sorted everything out for me and set the car up afterwards - recommended unreservedly.

[thegoose]

I had the dampers from both my race cars sent off to Bilstein and they done to the spec we asked for. It was only about £50 per corner the first time, but it had gone up by 20-30% the next time, early 2009 I think (I never had need to have them rebuilt since, certainly not every race ).

[sportsandclassic]

Morning David,

As said previuosly you can rebuild the existing set and get some new spring platforms put on the dampers.

If you are looking to upgrade the suspension then the KW route is a good choice for a next step up. I don't think 99% of drivers would need anymore from a damper/spring package.

I can certainly recommend new uni-ball mounts in lower arms too! Will get my cars transformation on here soon, just need time to fit my exhaust !

Most porsche specialist's can carry out the work you need, I can think of at least 10 of them with the knowledge and equipment including ourselves.

Good luck with your car.

Mike

[melv]

DiscoColin said:

When I had mine done the other year it was <£100 each against £380+VAT per corner for new ones, so - erm: kinda...

They basically rebuild them to as new internals and test them on a shock dyno to make sure that the performance of pairs matches. There really isn't a better way to go. The only catch is that there is generally a backlog.

+ 1 for my Cup. However took a lot of chasing to get them back for Spa last year......

Chris has a good relationship with them since they are 'just-up-the-road' and they turn them around in less than a week.

[David Hype]

Does anyone have a direct contact at Bilstein, when I try www.bilstein.co.uk I get redirected to Euro car Parts!

Or does one have to be invited in

[Slippydiff]

melv said:

+ 1 for my Cup. However took a lot of chasing to get them back for Spa last year......

Chris has a good relationship with them since they are 'just-up-the-road' and they turn them around in less than a week.

^

This

[anonymous-user]

thegoose said:

I never had need to have them rebuilt since, certainly not every race

I did say professional racing, like BTCC, LM, WRC, F1 etc. Dampers are stripped, rebuilt, dyno tested etc for every race as a matter of course. For club racing I would suggest an annual rebuild. They do go off and you probably wouldn't notice over time until you had them rebuilt.

[bobsan]

Centre Gravity, Chris's prob. got some refurbs in stock, drive in - drive out, complete with new dampers and new geo, leave your old one's there to be refurbed for next person and very cost effective.

[gt3nor]

I'm having mine rebuild as well during the winter.
Searching this forum a while ago I found the following information:

Tread: http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&a...

£65 per demper for GT3

Bilstein Suspension
Unit 3
Swannington Road
Broughton Astley
Leicestershire LE9 6TU

Tel: [phone]

[David Hype]

Thanks gt3Nor, this was very helpful.

Can anyone advise if it best to get two (just rears) or all four done at the same time, as I wrote earlier in this post my car is just on 17K miles from new.

Cheers

[anonymous-user]

Depends on your motive. If it's just because the rears are leaking then just get those done - cheapest option. But if you are concerned over the handling it makes sense to service all four to be sure everything is in order (at least with the dampers)

[Slippydiff]

David Hype said:

Thanks gt3Nor, this was very helpful.

Can anyone advise if it best to get two (just rears) or all four done at the same time, as I wrote earlier in this post my car is just on 17K miles from new.

Cheers

There's a good chance all the spring seats will be seized even at this low mileage David. Stripping the backs off will most likely upset the ride heights and corner weights, so they'll need resetting (which means the front will need adjusting too) If you've the opportunity to take all four off and have them serviced, now is the pragmatic time to do so.

[Harris_I]

The cost difference is small so get all four done. If the rears are weeping, then the fronts are probably baggy and you might exacerbate any imbalance by only refreshing the rears.

Let us know how the car feels afterward.

[gt3nor]

I will get all 4 done, and would recommend you do the same.
If you search the different forums enough you will find that the shocks very often needs rebuilding around 20k miles..... That is the same milage my car has now as well.

[danielw]

Slightly O/T - is it possible or cost effective to get non GT3 dampers rebuilt? I.e. 996 M030 dampers? At £65/corner that is cheaper than buying new.

[gt3nor]

David Hype said:

Thanks gt3Nor, this was very helpful.

Can anyone advise if it best to get two (just rears) or all four done at the same time, as I wrote earlier in this post my car is just on 17K miles from new.

Cheers

Hi David.
I would really appreciate it if you can post where you choose to get the rebuild done, the price, and how you arrange for it in terms of reference numbers, shipping and so on. A nice "how-to" will ensure some more business for the rebuilding business :-)

Thank you.