Old Man Emu BP51 Test Trials

I'll keep this short and Simple.

I am running my 2nd vehicle with BP51's (First was a 4Runner).

The Kit is an amazing drive... I can't quite explain how big of an improvement it is over stock suspension BUT...

For My Tundra I have been through 5 different rear shocks and still have one leaking. Basically immediately after install and taking them out on a trip the rear shocks have a leak where the reserve tank attaches to the main shock body.

OME has been amazing with their warranty process but I am getting tired of installing these things.

I am praying that I do one more warranty replacement and end up with two not-leaking shocks.

I have had no issues with the front... everything there has been perfect.

What is your experiences with BP51's... is this just an early run issue???

 

Considering the BP-51 kit. Just curious if anyone else has this leaky rear shock issue?

Also, what has everyone’s experiences been rebuilding these shocks? Have you had to send them back to OME?

 

This guy explains it pretty well around the 12 minute mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZSNYONRYxQ

 

Wow. Faulty design indeed. Kinda weird that the OME folks deny the obvious design flaw when that divot on the shock mount is plain as day.

 

EddieWouldGo; I don't post here often but I feel I had to share my experience. I have the BP-51 ( front and back + dakar leaf pack with greaseable shackles)installed on my 2016 Tundra CrewMax. I discovered a leak on both rear shocks around the swivel fitting that goes from the shock to the reservoir. At first, I thought the front coilovers was trouble free but they both leak from the seal shafts and my 2nd set on the rear are leaking again. Not a happy camper. Not even 10 000kms on the whole set! I live in Northern Alberta Canada so I believe it's all cold weather related issues. ARB has been fantastic for customer service but I hope they find a permanent solution soon. I didn't know Elka have now Toyota trucks line up (not just motorspots)and they are made in Quebec, Canada. It is cold there as well and they used semi synthetic fluid in their shocks. I might steer towards them if my BP-51 keeps having issues.They might be better in that sense but it's too early to know how reliable they are. But no one come close yet to the 3years/60 000kms warranty ARB has... I've read on Land Cruiser forum and the bp51 have unfortunately issues there as well...

 

Thanks for the feedback on those. Doing a little research before a purchase. I've read about a lot of growing pains with those but I've also read ARB has excellent customer service. Not sure I want to deal with downtime though

 

After much research, I actually made the BP-51 my decision on next suspension purchase.
Seems like a great deal and most reviews were positive.
ARB is a great company too.
I hate to hear about these issues.
I’m hoping they come out with a solution before I move in a different direction.

 

I’ve read of lots of these shocks leaking. I’ve dealt with ARB CS and they didn’t impress me one bit. I’ll probably never buy another product of theirs again.

 

Reviving this thread.
All 4 of my BP-51'S have developed nitrogen leaks. Only 2 years old. I anticipated possibly needing to top off the nitrogen periodically but, I'm disappointed it appears the internal seals have failed. I contacted ARB and they offered to rebuild them. However, I would need to ship them at my own expense. Additionally, they quoted a minimum 3 week turnaround time. Am I wrong to think they should cover shipping for items still under warranty? And not being able to use my vehicle for almost a month isn't an option for me.

 

Hey Tundra007, not sure if you’re still on this forum or not. I am in Edmonton, and at the end of my three year warranty with OME BP-51 and have had them leak each winter. My rear shocks have been fine, but not the fronts. Did you switch to another brand? I'm not sure how I’ll proceed but I am disappointed.

 

Restless soulmates: I'm still kicking around. I've worked with ARB on my issues, they had sent me a second set which they build for colder weather. They still end up leaking unfortunately. ARB offered me a full refund after that, which I accept and I re-installed the original OEM shocks on all 4 corners. Not happy that it ended up this way but at least, ARB did the right thing. I was thinking about going with Elka but I haven't pulled the trigger on that one yet. The MT-64 from ARB looks less complicated than the BP-51. I might look at those too when they become available for our gen. If ARB would have screwed me over, this wouldn't be in my mind... So, if I was you I would contact ARB and explain them your situation, see what they'll do for you. Good luck!!

 

Tundra007,

Thanks for the reply. So last year ARB replaced my front shocks under warranty, I just had to pay the install shop for replacement. Now I have the same issue, and they just today declined anymore coverage as they feel it’s too cold here. So I fired back “why does your dealer sell them here”?

I’m not too happy. Can I ask what dealer you used?

Thanks!

 

Restless soulmate,

I went through 4wheelparts online but they had shipped everything to their location in Edmonton at the time. I removed and installed everything myself. I asked them the similar question, as to why they sell their products where we have very cold winters. It seems that they haven't done any R&D for their shocks in extreme cold weather. They never answer that question... Now, they have ARB shock absorbers on the trail hunter edition on the Tacomas, I wonder how they will be... I might have been the first customer from the north where it hits easily -45°C and they tried to fix as I mentioned in my other post, but wasn't a successful unfortunately. Maybe because they knew, they denied you, Idk. Hopefully, they come up with either, better design of seals(packing) and suspension fluid in their shock so they can sustain a wide range of temperatures and not leak every winter.