Another Failed 5160

My second 5160 has just failed, 2.5 years and that’s it! Just outside of the 2 year warranty. Towing (well under payload) washboard gravel roads and very light 4 wheeling, CB shackles 5/8” lift. Nothing crazy and no abuse, daily driver.

My conversation with the service rep at Bilstein was interesting, he agreed that changing to the 5100’s was a good decision.

So, I just put on a replacement 5100 and will order a second to replace my warranty covered 5160, cause you know that will probably go at any time.

Also, picking up a couple of items today at a local Toyota dealership, found out that their parts department and service department do not want to sell Bilstein, too many warranty failures. Elka is what they recommend now.

This is my experience with the 5160’s.

 

See any salt? Mine have taking a beating and are still going strong after 5 years and 60k+ miles.

 

I've had Bilsteins on three different rigs and they've taken everything I've thrown at them. They're definitely a value based option, but still great for the right use case

 

I wish they made them for the 3rd gen Tundras

 

No salt, Alberta Canada.

 

I have had Bilsteins on Toyotas since 2002 and never had problems. In Fact, my 2002 Tacoma was 16 years old when I sold it with the original Bilsteins (TRD Offroad version) and it was still in good condition.
My 2018 Tundra (TRD Sport) had 126,000 miles and the current owner added at least 20,000 more miles that I know of.

OP mentioned washboard gravel roads. My experience with other vehicles, not the Bilsteins specifically, is that washboard is a shock killer.

 

Shaft cleanliness is a must

 

No issues with my 5160s, but I'm a pavement princess..
I first had 5100s, they seem to ride the same.
Probably should have kept them and saved the money for something else.
But I had to be the cool kid to match my 6112s...

 

I’ve had 5100s on the 4R for over 50k light wheeling and heavy town pothole action, and I kinda like how they ride compared to the 5160s in the truck that have seen 30k of heavy wheeling with no issues

 

Maybe clean them off once or twice a year.

 

That's Canada clean

 

Unfortunately haven’t been off roading since the fall. Daily city driving, I’d be at the car wash hourly to try and keep them sparkling. Just how it is here for winter. May 1, we have a heavy snowfall warning for the next 24hrs.

 

Invest on a shocks boot and some zip tie