Bilstein Shocks

The anti-roll bar, also called an anti-sway bar, connects the left and right suspensions together and anchors to the vehicle frame. Typically used at the front and rear of the vehicle, the anti-roll bar is commonly used to adjust the handling balance of the vehicle and limit the amount of sway or body roll during cornering.

In essence, an anti-roll bar works as a torsion spring, so as you approach a high speed corner, the vehicle will begin to lean downward toward the outside corner pushing upward on the outside end of the anti-roll bar. The upward movement of the outside end of the anti-roll bar is transferred to the inside end of the anti-roll bar, which responds by also applying the same upward movement to the inside cornering of the suspension. This compresses the inside corner of the suspension while also providing torsion to the anti-roll bar so the outside edge can better resist the upward movement. All this results in a vehicle that'll remain level even while making high-speed corners and keep traction more equal for the inside and outside tires.  

Whether you're looking to increase performance on your daily driver or looking to have the ultimate autocross/road race machine, we offer a wide array of anti-roll bar products. 

Eibach Anti-Roll Kit

H&R Anti-Roll Bar

Hotchkis Sport Anti-Roll Bar

Performance Street Anti-Roll Bars:

Eibach Anti-Roll Kit:

• Further reduces body roll
• Cold-formed from high strength aircraft grade steel
• Designed to fit without vehicle modification

H&R Anti-Roll Bar:

• Perfectly complements H&R springs, coil-overs, performance shocks and cup kits
• Crafted from spring steel that is stronger, more resilient than other materials
• Bent on proprietary machines designed by H&R to produce complex curves and a perfect fit

Hotchkis Sport Anti-Roll Bars:

• Improves handling while reducing body roll
• Designed for the everyday commuter and occasional road course or track use
• Includes tubular front and rear anti-roll bars

Hotchkis AutoX Anti-Roll Bar

Hotchkis Competition Anti-Roll Bars

Autocross/Track Anti-Roll Bars:

Hotchkis Sport Suspension AutoX Anti-Roll Bar:

• Improves handling and reduces body roll
• Track-tested, lightweight, hollow
• Includes greasable bushings and brackets

Hotchkis Competition Anti-Roll Bars:

• Designed for the highly competitive road course and autocross course
• Maximizes tire performance and achieves slight oversteer
• Tubular front and rear bars with greasable polyurethane bushings, brackets and 90-degree zerk fittings (where applicable)

Shop by vehicle to view all anti-roll bars offered for your daily driver, autocross or road race vehicle. Also, take a look at replacement shocks and struts to complement your new anti-roll bars by reading, "Which Bilstein Replacement Shock or Strut is Best for Your Vehicle?"

Looking for a complete lowering spring and damper kit that'll add improved handling without a big sacrifice in comfort? Then take a look at the Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit. By combining Eibach's proven Pro-Kit springs with specially tuned Bilstein shocks and struts in one complete package, you can get the best that both companies have to offer for the following vehicles:

• Late model C- and E-Class Mercedes-Benz
• Fifth-generation Volkswagen Golf
• Fifth-generation VW GTI

In nearly all cases, the use of a lowering spring requires replacement of the Original Equipment struts and shock as the higher spring rates are more than the O.E. units can handle. For best durability, switching to a performance oriented shock with heavy duty components will maximize the performance of the spring and eliminate the chances of premature wear. Eibach went to one of the best in the suspension industry and asked them to design a durable and responsive companion for their Pro-Kit spring.

Key Features & Benefits of Bilstein's B12 Pro-Kit:

• Professional Cornering System
• Lowers up to 40mm
• Bilstein monotube gas pressure technology
• Eibach Pro-Kit application-specific progressive rate performance springs

To see if the Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit could improve your vehicle's performance, shop by vehicle.

Has your vehicle become bouncy and uncomfortable? Or have you recently lifted or lowered your vehicle? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then chances are it's time to upgrade your shock or struts. Depending on your desired result, Bilstein offers a wide assortment of shocks and struts that could be a match for your application.
 

Bilstein HD Shock

Bilstein Touring Class Shock

Bilstein Sport Shock

For full-sized sedans, SUVs and trucks that are stock ride height and looking to maintain the vehicles original ride qualities, the following options are a good match:

• Bilstein HD Shocks, Struts or Cartridges
  • Improved handling and ride control without sacrificing comfort
  • Fade-free, high gas pressure monotube design
  • Lifetime warranty
     
• Bilstein Touring Class Shocks, Struts or Cartridges
  • For driver who want to restore their vehicle's original ride and handling
  • Valved about 10% firmer than stock
  • Same German engineering and quality as Bilstein's monotube gas pressure shocks, but in a competitively priced, twin tube design
  • Limited lifetime warranty

For driving enthusiast and/or owners of lowered vehicles take a look at the following option:

• Bilstein Sport Shocks, Struts, or Cartridges
  • For the enthusiast who demands superior handling
  • Bilstein's highest level of control
  • Excellent match for vehicles with lowering springs or upgraded anti-roll bars
  • Superior monotube design provides strength and heat dissipation
  • Lifetime warranty

Off-road enthusiasts with lifted vehicles or larger diameter tires should consider the following 5100 Series options:

Bilstein 5100 Series Adjustable Shock

Bilstein 5100 Series Shock

• Bilstein 5100 Series Shock
  • Self-adjusting deflecting disc valving
  • High-flow piston reduces harshness
  • Independent rebound and compression tuning
  • Larger working piston area for exact damping
  • Superior control for large diameter tires
  • Strong Monotube design
  • Lifetime warranty
     
• Bilstein 5100 Adjustable Shock
  • Same superior design as the  Bilstein 5100 series shock but includes the option for ride height adjustment
  • Multiple snap-ring grooves on the body of the shock accommodate different spring seat positions, allowing height adjustments from 0" to 2.5" depending upon the application
  • By raising the spring seat position, the factory rake can be altered to achieve a level front to rear ride height while accommodating up to 33" tires.
  • Lifetime warranty

Not everyone is looking for or needs a stiffly valved adjustable race shock. For those looking for comfort and a return of factory ride quality, an Original Equipment style replacement shock will do just fine. These shocks and struts feature a lower price tag due to a lack of adjustability and features, but aim to stop the bouncing associated with old, worn out or leaking factory pieces.

Of the shocks that fit this criteria, my favorite is the KYB GR-2/Excel-G.  Featuring shock valving that is typically no more than 10% stiffer than factory, these shocks add a splash of performance without over-doing it. Add in a cost-effective price point and an industry leading warranty and you have a combo that is tough to beat.

It should be noted that the KYB GR-2 is not intended for use with aftermarket lowering springs. If you have these springs installed on your vehicle and are looking for an alternative to a KONI or Bilstein product, I suggest you check out the KYB AGX Adjustable. It features more aggressive valving and 4-8 way adjustability depending on the application.

KYB products are manufactured for a wide range of light-duty passenger vehicles including cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. Find a KYB product that's right for your vehicle.

 

Looking for a coil-over system for your daily driver, but also want it to perform at the track? One of the most attractive features of the following options is their ride height adjustability. They feature an adjustable spring perch and a threaded shock body. You can thread the perch up and down, allowing you to customize how much lowering you prefer for each corner of the vehicle. These coil-over systems will also let you customize the tuck of the vehicle's corners. 
 

Below are my three favorite track-ready coil-overs available at Tire Rack:
 

Bilstein PSS10

H&R RSS ClubSport

KW Variant 3

Utilizing Bilstein's shock absorbers that are designed for heat dissipation and ride control, the PSS10 Coil-Over System adds a matched performance spring and threaded ride height adjuster to provide a complete suspension system for your vehicle. The system offers ten vehicle adjustment settings and includes numbered adjusters at the base of the shock body so you know exactly what setting you are on without counting clicks.

The RSS ClubSport Coil-Over Kit is designed for the committed motorsport enthusiast who's willing to relinquish some ride comfort in return for handling performance. The firmest coil-over in the H&R street line, the RSS is the choice for weekend track and club sport events.

KW Variant 3 Coil-Overs are state-of-the-art motorsport technology for proven performance on the streets. Independently adjustable compression and rebound damping allows for custom driving set-ups. The exclusive KW patented system has dual-level valves to provide the adjustment of the rebound damping (comfort) and the compression damping in the low-speed range. High-speed settings for driving comfort are preset by KW engineers.
 

To find the suspension component that's right for your car, shop by vehicle.

Having already chosen the Eibach Pro-Kit Spring Set for my 1997 740i, it's time to turn my attention to the the shocks and struts, known collectively as dampers. The available options include the Bilstein Touring Class, Bilstein Sport and KYB GR-2. 
 

The Touring Class and GR-2 are similar to one another in that they're both premium quality replacements for the stock dampers. They are valved about 10% firmer than the originals to account for the wear that accumulates in other suspension components over time and their goal is to provide ride and handling that equals or exceeds the Original Equipment.
 

The Bilstein Sport is a high-performance shock absorber designed for use with lowering springs. The mono-tube design, while more expensive to produce, has advantages for heat dissipation, longevity and consistent performance. 
 

Do I spend the money on the Bilstein shocks or save some cash and go back with a factory-equivalent part? The Bilstein Sports are the only replacement shock absorbers that are officially recommended to use with the Pro-Kit springs. Using the Touring Class or GR-2 with lowering springs would void their warranties. While this wouldn't be the first warranty I've ever voided when modifying a vehicle, I think that if I'm going to go through the trouble and expense of replacing them, it's worth doing it right. The Bilstein Sport was the winner and will make a great addition to my BMW 740i.

Have you ever felt that your car bounces more after you go over a bump? It just doesn't feel as connected to the road as it did when it was new? Shock absorbers are an expendable item that has a big effect on your ride quality. When it comes time to replace shocks, you're going to have access to your springs. This is a great time to add lowering springs.

Not every shock is designed for all driving circumstances. There are two major categories for aftermarket shocks: performance and touring.

• Performance shocks give the firmer ride, and help reduce body roll. They are often combined with lowering springs for the ultimate handling combination.
• Touring shocks are more focused on a soft, compliant and comfortable ride. Touring shocks add to that supple, luxurious ride by soaking up more impacts and road imperfections.

Listed below are a few terms that will help you better understand the characteristics of a shock adjustment:

• Compression - The collapsing stroke of a shock, directly correlated to the movement of your axle.
• Rebound - The return stroke of a shock, directly tied to vehicle pitch and ride quality. To learn more about shocks check out, "Damper Dynamics."

Take a look at a few of the shocks available at Tire Rack:

• KYB Gas-A-Just: An Original Equipment replacement shock.These are your excellent-value option, as they are self adjusting.
• KYB Monomax: Increased load control, and a firm planted feel for your light truck or SUV. These shocks have been known to offer a firmer ride, but the trade off is better control. These shocks are self adjusting. They completely transformed my Chevy Blazer back to the consistent like-new handling I missed.
• Koni STR-T:  A cost-effective performance shock, designed to offer better handling, without a harsh ride.
• Bilstein 5100 : Designed with the lifted truck or SUV in mind. These are ideal for your Jeep or pickup truck with mild body and suspension lifts. The articulation in off-road circumstances is superb.

Shop by vehicle to find the suspension components that work best for your vehicle.

 

Since their inception into the market, the 2011 Mustang GT and the 5th Generation 2010+ Camaro have attracted much attention, and I must note I too fell prey to their new designs.

In February, I took ownership of a 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 6-speed. The only options on my car were the Brembo performance brake and wheel package and the 3.73 rear gears. I wanted the fastest base Mustang GT I could buy, but yet even that was not without room for improvement.

My first step toward correcting the lackluster steering response and turn-in feel was to replace the spring and strut / shock assemblies. My components of choice were the off-the-shelf 2011 Mustang GT Eibach Pro-Kit Spring Set and a set of 2010 Mustang GT model Bilstein struts and shocks. Although Bilstein does not yet have a 2011 Mustang GT specific fitment at this time, the use of 2005-2010 Ford Racing strut mounts and the 2010 model Bilstein struts allowed me to successfully use the components. For a more plug and play application and a user friendly guaranteed fitment, consumers can purchase the matching Eibach Pro-Damper Kit which is specifically tuned for Eibach springs on the 2011 models and bolts up without any modification to the strut mount units.

Although the Eibach springs are not the stiffest available, their progressive rate is far beyond the factory rate of 150lbs/in. For that reason, it is important to increase the compression and rebound rates of the shock assemblies, not only to increase the life of the shock, but also to increase performance while cornering, and reduce unfavorable motion on transitions and rough surfaces.

At left is a picture of the factory 2011 Mustang GT front strut and its Bilstein rival. The differences in shaft size should be obvious. Upon installing this aftermarket suspension package, my 2011 GT feels like an entirely new car. It doesn't exhibit the floating feeling associated with the stock pieces, and generally feels firmer and more responsive. The steering inputs are met with crisp turn-in and the car behaves very neutral at the limit, which left me quite surprised.

For questions on suspension and more, contact one of our sales specialists.

Coil-over suspension kits represent the top end of the suspension market, giving the driver the most flexibility in adjusting both the ride height and "firmness" of the shock absorbers to fine tune the handling of their vehicle. Sounds like a great option to have right? Well, the answer lies in how and where you drive your vehicle.

The first thing to remember is that any component that lowers the ride height of your vehicle will affect ride comfort (see a previous blog post titled "What Should I Expect from Lowering Springs?"). Even the most modest lowering spring (1.0" of drop or less) will affect ride comfort, but any coil-over setup will have a much more aggressive spring rate which translates to a firmer ride. In my mind, the coil-over suspension is intended for a driver that wants to maximize the handling of the vehicle in "track" conditions and also have the flexibility to adjust ride height (and damping rates) to suit track conditions. If local road conditions are poor, coil-overs will make a rough ride even rougher!

Eibach Multi-Pro Coil-Over R2

KW Variant 1 Coil-Over

The Eibach Multi-Pro Coil-Over R2 and the KW Variant 1 have the least "aggressive" spring rates, which will minimize the change to ride comfort but still improve handling and allow you to adjust your ride height for the perfect stance.

Bilstein PSS Coil-Over Kit

KW Variant 3 Coil-Over

The Bilstein PSS Coil-Over Kit and KW Variant 3 represent the elite in coil-over systems and provide the greatest range of adjustability for ride and ride height.

Check out our full line of coil-over systems!

Has your chariot lost some of that new car handling and ride? Do you feel like you're on a trampoline after hitting a bump? It might be time to get new shocks and struts (dampers) for your car, truck or SUV. 

Tire Rack offers a wide range of options from Original Equipment style replacements to performance upgrades. The KYB GR-2 line will firm up the ride 5-10% over factory new. KONI and Bilstein offer higher performance options — some with adjustability to give you that "on rails" feeling.

Look to the professionals at Tire Rack for all of your suspension needs. View specs, shock absorber reviews, and pricing for your specific vehicle.

Worn out shocks and struts can not only give your vehicle that unstable feeling, but can also contribute to abnormal tire wear, pre-mature suspension wear and can affect your car's ability to handle in an emergency situation. Typical life expectancy is about 50,000 to 60,000 miles. Your shocks may look fine, but internally the components have worn and are not operating efficiently.

Shocks and struts are made for all types of vehicles and performance needs.

In the performance category, we have products from Bilstein, KONI and KYB. Each is engineered to provide excellent control and improve the responsiveness of your vehicle.

If comfort is more of a priority, Bilstein and KYB have replacement shocks engineered to bring back that new car feel.

For the off-road entusiast, or if you just need something heavy duty for towing or load carrying on your truck, the KYB Monomax will provide that higher level of control that you require.

As always, you can shop by vehicle to see products sorted by performance category.

Tire Rack not only sells tires, but has a large selection of suspension parts for your vehicles.

We carry Eibach Springs, H&R Springs, Bilstein Shocks and Koni Shock Absorbers just to mention a few.

Eibach lowering springs give your vehicle a great look and maintain good ride quality while enhancing cornering performance. So if you are looking to give your vehicle a more sporty look and at the same time improve its handling, you should consider Eibach.

Please check out all of our suspension products.

A very common question when it comes to shocks that I get is, "What is the biggest difference between all the shocks?" or "Why are the Bilstein so much more money over the other shocks?" or even " Are they really that much better then KYB or KONI?"

Well here is the answer to that.

There is a reason the Bilstein's do cost more, and there is a performance difference between all of the shocks. Bilstein shocks carry a lifetime warranty unlike KYB or KONI. Bilstein shocks and struts will last 4 times longer then the Orginal Equipment shocks and struts. They are also designed to improve the ride, handling and control of your vehicle. Bilstien is able to do this due to the quality of the shocks material and the specially designed valving system that Bilstien has designed. Bilstein has been in busniess longer then I can remember and for years manufactures have been trying to copy what they do, and have not been able to come close. This is because of Bilstein's extensive research and the quality of material used to build there shocks and struts. By using top notch quality material when building there shocks and struts, is the main reason you end up with a product that works so well and is able to carry a lifetime warranty.  
   
In my opinion, the Bilstein Shocks are well worth the money and will dramatically improve the comfort and ride quality of your vehicle. If you are looking for a way to improve the ride quality and performance of your vehicle, Bilstein is the way to go. Don't settle for second best when you can have the best built shock in the business.

For more information on how to purchase Bilstein shocks and struts for your vehicle visit Tire Rack.