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5100 snap ring failure

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by Kojack, Jan 10, 2020.

  1. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:26 AM
    #1
    Kojack

    Kojack [OP] New Member

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    So I’m at the shop having the 5100’s installed. Tech completes it and does a full alignment and as he is backing the truck off the lift, the drivers side snap ring that holds the lower shock hat fails and it slides all the way down the shock destroying the snap ring a ruins the mount.
    Has anyone ever heard of this happening? I had 5100’s on my ‘04 for years and never had an issue. F02A7E03-34E6-4D5B-B59B-7562E96924F5.jpg06F04BCE-815C-4206-AC1D-B64CD2155AE6.jpg 36819ECD-F2C7-40E9-927F-8142E31B3CC3.jpg0F093674-8F55-4C23-9ACA-EC17FBD0C9D1.jpg
     
  2. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:29 AM
    #2
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    ive never heard of those failing like that. i wonder if it wasn't fully seated in the groove before he put the spring on :monocle:

    best to call bilstein and see what they say
     
  3. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:30 AM
    #3
    TrooperDC4x4

    TrooperDC4x4 New Member

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    Since it happened so soon I would guess the snap ring wasn't fully seated in the grove and gave way. Lucky you weren't on the freeway.
     
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  4. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:31 AM
    #4
    10TundraSR5

    10TundraSR5 Happy Tundra owner

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    Curse you Perry the Platypus!
    Damn! I hate to hear that. I had 5100's installed on my truck last month and this has always been my fear. Possibly mfg defect???? Have you contacted Billstein yet? I'm curious as to what they say. I haven't seen any threads about this for the past year or so I've been a member so I'm hoping its just a fluke.
     
  5. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:32 AM
    #5
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    just by seeing how the snap ring is deformed i really have a feeling the snap ring wasnt full seated in the groove. which would fall on installer error.. but anything can happen.
     
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  6. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:32 AM
    #6
    WestexSBK

    WestexSBK New Member

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    This. They did not fully seat the snap ring.

     
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  7. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:34 AM
    #7
    HappyGilmore

    HappyGilmore Ex 1st Gen Member

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    My vote is on mechanic error as well.
     
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  8. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:37 AM
    #8
    Kojack

    Kojack [OP] New Member

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    I actually moved the snap rings before I brought the truck down and it was fully seated. I double and triple checked it yesterday and this morning.
     
  9. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:37 AM
    #9
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    besides it not being seated properly, it’s also possible they didn’t install the perch properly. Sometimes those guys will have it flipped the wrong way and it doesn’t encapsulate the C clip. I’ve seen it more than once on the site. Haven’t seen a failure but I’ve seen them installed incorrectly.
     
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  10. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:38 AM
    #10
    MS22

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    The snap ring could've been installed upside down. Yes I did it.
     
  11. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:38 AM
    #11
    TrooperDC4x4

    TrooperDC4x4 New Member

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    I would not reuse that shock on the setting the ring popped off of. It could be rounded off and fail later.
     
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  12. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:39 AM
    #12
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    The snap ring or the spring cup?
     
  13. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:39 AM
    #13
    Kojack

    Kojack [OP] New Member

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    I used my snap ring pliers and just moved it up the shock. It never flipped.
     
  14. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:41 AM
    #14
    TrooperDC4x4

    TrooperDC4x4 New Member

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    op do you have a pic of how the other side is installed?
     
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  15. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:46 AM
    #15
    Danman34

    Danman34 New Member

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    That’s pure error on the techs end.
     
  16. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:48 AM
    #16
    Kojack

    Kojack [OP] New Member

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    9AC986D2-A8C3-427F-ADD5-CFB9B0F2596F.jpg
     
  17. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:57 AM
    #17
    TrooperDC4x4

    TrooperDC4x4 New Member

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    Those spring cups are installed in the correct orientation so snap ring should have been encapsulated correctly.
     
  18. Jan 10, 2020 at 11:59 AM
    #18
    TrooperDC4x4

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    Bilstein or the shop should make this right for you. thankfully it didn't happen on the road causing a lot of damage to you and/or the truck.
     
  19. Jan 10, 2020 at 12:05 PM
    #19
    MS22

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    The snap ring. I noticed because the ruck sat a little higher
    My fault it was the spring seat that was installed upside down but had to get a new circlip because it got deformed.
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2020
    15whtrd[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Jan 10, 2020 at 12:43 PM
    #20
    WestexSBK

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    That circlip has a much higher rating than the truck could ever put on it. Between the shock and spring dampening it would be essentially impossible for that to fail. 100% impossible just coming off the lift.

    I truly hope they resolve this quickly and get you on the road SAFELY!
     
  21. Jan 14, 2020 at 9:54 AM
    #21
    Kojack

    Kojack [OP] New Member

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    Update:
    The shop that installed said it was on me since I took the shocks to them to install. Bilstein said I am SOL because "That happens when the snap ring is not seated correctly in the shock groove" and they will not warranty it either. So I am out the additional shop time to install another and out the cost of another 5100. A simple $350 install ended up costing me twice that and then some.
    So with that being said, that is the last business that Bilstein will get from me. There are other options that will be considered when these wear out.
     
  22. Jan 14, 2020 at 10:18 AM
    #22
    Danman34

    Danman34 New Member

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    So you’re blaming Bilstein because the shop you hired is incompetent and doesn’t stand behind their work? Ok. Makes sense.
     
  23. Jan 14, 2020 at 10:21 AM
    #23
    Kojack

    Kojack [OP] New Member

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    When I myself, moved the snap ring on the shock, doubled and triple checked, wiggled it and made sure it was seated properly with no gap or movement whatsoever, yes!
     
  24. Jan 14, 2020 at 10:22 AM
    #24
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

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    I would take that reply from Bilstein and bring it to the shop. They agreed to do the install with your parts, it was their mistake with the ring. I would contact the BBB in your area and file a complaint. You have the documentation from the manufacturer stating what/how & why that happened. Maybe write a comment/rating for that shop on Yelp or something.
    You really can't blame Bilstein but I do understand your frustration and probably would feel exactly how you feel.
     
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  25. Jan 14, 2020 at 10:27 AM
    #25
    HappyGilmore

    HappyGilmore Ex 1st Gen Member

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    Im getting confused on who did the work. Did you install these, and the shop did the alignment? Or you brought a fully assembled shock in that you assembled, and they installed? Or did they do 100% of the work and you walked into their shop during the job to double check the snap ring personally?
     
  26. Jan 14, 2020 at 10:31 AM
    #26
    Kojack

    Kojack [OP] New Member

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    I had the shocks shipped to my home. I moved the snap rings then took them to the shop for install. It could be on me but I have installed these more than once myself and know the importance of the snap ring and how to seat it properly. If it is on me, I will admit that but I know for a fact they were installed correctly and seated in the groove correctly.
     
  27. Jan 14, 2020 at 10:36 AM
    #27
    HappyGilmore

    HappyGilmore Ex 1st Gen Member

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    Ok gotcha. Did you move the snap ring, but have them swap the coils? Or the shock was complete with a coil when you brought them in?
     
  28. Jan 14, 2020 at 10:37 AM
    #28
    Kojack

    Kojack [OP] New Member

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    Yes. I moved the snap ring myself before I took it to the shop and they swapped the coil.
     
  29. Jan 14, 2020 at 10:37 AM
    #29
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Well, there’s always King Shocks as an option.

    :thumbsup:
     
  30. Jan 14, 2020 at 10:41 AM
    #30
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Something got screwed up on the coil install.
    On a new 5100, you will find it very difficult not to have the clip seat fully. A used one...I can see this happening.

    Personally, this is not a Bilstein issue, but install issue. The tech may have taken the clip out and reinstalled them for some reason.
     
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