Fix It

Bilstein shock absorbers are available in many sizes and stiffness ratings, according to vehicle type and use. These mono-tube, gas pressure shocks self-adjust and maintain their performance rating with age or heat. The stiffness ratings of Bilstein shocks are grouped into five categories, with coded part numbers for each category. The categories are the 5100 series, 6100 series, 7100 series, 9100 series and 9300 series. The 9300 series codes begin with AK followed by four numbers--9312 to 9318. You may also find codes that represent the purpose of shocks, such as "S" or B8 for sports, "HD" or B6 for heavy duty, and "C" or B4 for comfort.

Instructions

5100 Series

1

Read the pix or first three numbers of the code. The codes in the 5100 series represent shocks for pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, including Jeeps and prerunners.

2

Read the four numbers, ranging from 6092 to 6681, which follow the pix of the code.

3

Read the last two alphanumeric digits also called a suffix. You will find a suffix,such as H5 or H7 for the 5100 series.

6100 Series

4

Identify the pix for 6100 series which is B46.

5

Read the four digits that follow the pix. These four digits, 0349 to 1362, represent an 8-inch, 10-inch, 12-inch or 14-inch travel.

6

Identify coilovers in the 6100 series. Look for the pix, B46, followed by numbers ranging from 0204 to 0206, and ending with the letters OR or W.

7100 Series

7

Look at the pix of the 7100 Bilstein shock, which shall indicate either an AK code or B46. Bilstein shocks in the 7100 series, having an 8-inch, 10-inch or 14-inch travel begin with an AK code. An example is AK7108R. The letter "R" represents a reservoir shock type.

8

Look at the four digits that follow the AK pix code. These four digits will range from 7108 to 7114. The first two digits, 71, represent the Bilstein shock series number, and the last two digits represent the travel inches.

9

Read the one or two letters at the end of the entire code. You may identify letters such as R, S or SB at the end of Bilstein shock codes in the 7100 series to lect the shock type. The letter R represents a reservoir shock, S represents a Schrader valve shock, and the letters SB represent a short body reservoir shock, as in AK7114SB.

10

Look at supplies with 2 1/2 inch single rate spring hardware, for 10-inch travel coilovers. They begin with the pix B46. For example, B46-1103R is a 7100 Bilstein 10 inch travel coilover with a reservoir shock--distinguished by the letter "R" at the end of the code. Notice that the four digit code that follows the pix is not a 7100 code--it is 1103. VW, Class 9 and Class 11 codes are also different for 7100 series Bilstein shocks. They begin with B46 or AK and are followed by digits ranging from 0930 to 1170, ending with either letter S or R.

11

Learn optional valving codes for the 7100 series. For example, in AK7114R04, two digits are added after the reservoir type. These two digits form a suffix code, representing optional valving. For example, "04" represents a 255/70 valving. In addition, "01" represents a 150/50 valving, "02" represents a 170/60 valving, "03" represents a 180/75 valving, "05" represents a 275/78 valving, "06" represents 360/80 valving and a suffix code of "99" represents custom valving.

9100 Series

12

Read the pix of the 9100 series codes. A "B46" pix identifies 2-inch screw top shocks and a "B60" pix identifies 2.5-inch screw top.

13

Read the four digits that follow the pix. These digits range from 9110 to 9118 for Bilstein 9100 series shocks and have a 22mm shaft with T6 hard anodized screwtops and Aurora spherical bearings.

14

Look at the suffix. You will find the letters ST for standard body shocks, CLST for coilovers with spring hardware and BYST for a four check valve bypass shock.

15

Identify the 9100 Rock crawler series. The pix is B46, followed by a four digit number ranging from 9113 to 9118 and then "RSC"--which identifies a rock crawler shock. The suffix is 03, 05, 06 or 07 and lects the valving type found in the 7100 series above. The 07 suffix represents a 255/100 valving.

When the Toyota Tacoma was introduced in 1995, it featured front struts instead of shocks. The front struts are also erred to as coil over shocks because they are not attached to the integral knuckles of the truck. The true shocks on the Tacoma are in the rear, but older Toyota trucks also have shocks in the front. The difference between a shock and a strut is that the shock is a separate component from the coil spring; thus it doesnt require a spring compressor.

Instructions

1

Park your Toyota Tacoma on a flat, paved surface and place two wheel chocks in front of and behind one of the front tires.

2

Raise the rear of the Tacoma with a jack under the rear differential high enough to support it on jack stands placed under the rear axle, away from the shock bolts, nuts and steel brake lines. Leave the jack in place under the rear differential for added support but have the weight of the truck resting on the stands.

3

Put on safety glasses before crawling underneath the truck with the metric wrench set,

1/2-inch drive ratchet with shallow metric sockets and the replacement shocks.

4

Hold one of the lower shock bolt heads with a metric wrench in place and remove the nut with a ratchet and metric socket turned counterclockwise.

5

Repeat Step 4 for the upper shock and nut. If necessary, replace the nut onto the bolt and strike it with a hammer to loosen the bolts from the upper and lower shock mounts. Remove the nuts and bolts.

6

Replace the upper shock bolt and nut (with washers) onto the new shock and install it by reversing the removal procedure. Replace the lower next shock. This shock will have to be compressed in order to align the bottom bolthole to the mount so that the bolt can go through the hole correctly. Be sure to replace the washer onto the bolt. Tighten the lower nut with the ratchet and socket while holding the bolt head with a wrench.

7

Repeat Steps 4 through 6 for the other rear shock. Raise the truck with the jack, remove the jack stands then lower your Tacoma to the ground and remove the wheel chocks.