Trying to Find Bilstein Shock Absorbers for my XJS

Sep 08, 2003 4 Replies
S

One of the shocks on the back of my Jag has gone leaky and doesn't damp properly. (I stripped it down and removed the spring, when I move the plunger in and out there is no resistance for the first half an inch or so). I am trying to find a replacement. It is a yellow coil over shock with the following numbers stamped on it:


160 65


31717161105



It also has BILSTEIN TWR stamped on it.



The spring is OK and I reckon I can remove the mounting plate to fit to a new shocker. Can anyone help, where can I get one in the UK and how much will a replacement cost?



Someone at work told me that there are specialists around who can re-condition shock absorbers, but I can't find anyone inYellow Pages. Anyone know how I can find a man who can?



Steve


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S

By the way it's a 1985 XJS V12 which has been 'Breathed on' by Tom Walkinshaw Racing

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W

There is apparently not a market for refurbishing tubular shocks... I don't think there is anyone doing that here in the US.

Can't help you with Bilstein sellers in the UK... can you not order them from the US by mail? Here is a supplier that lists a Bilstein rear shock for $126 US (about 85 pounds?)

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W

Woops, forgot to put in the url:

formatting link
At that website you can search on two fields; choose XJS 76-96 and type "shock" in the second search field, press "go" and you'll find the Bilstein listed second to last on the second page of the result.

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S

Thanks for your help. In the mean time I've been in touch with Bilstein, who tell me these shocks were made specially for TWR and they have unusual rebound settings - nigh on impossible to replace!

So I thought what the hell, and stripped one of them down. There really isn't that much too it and I found that the shaft seal was worn (no surprises there!). After a lot of ringing around and e-mails to every hydaulic seal manufacturer on the planet, I eventually found someone who could send me some new ones. Then I thought what the hell again, and stripped the rest of them down.

As soon as they arrive, I'll try and re-assemble the shockers with new seals and new oil.

Never mind ------------- it keeps me out of trouble (excluding with the wife of course!!)

Stevieshutts

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