Driving a vehicle equipped with Bilstein Gas Pressure Shock Absorbers is an exhilarating experience. There is, quite literally, nothing like it. Unbelievable control and stability. Precise handling. Ultimate performance. And incredible comfort.

Since our inception over 40 years ago, Bilstein has been a unique and driving force in the automotive suspension industry. Bilstein was first to apply the patented gas pressure principle to controlling ride characteristics on automobiles and introduced the world's first monotube gas pressure shock absorber. Today, Bilstein continues to be the leader in monotube gas pressure shock absorber technology. No other shock manufacturer has been able to equal the performance and enhanced ride characteristics of Bilstein. The Bilstein name graces not only monotube gas pressure shock absorbers, but also single and twin tube Macpherson strut style suspensions.

From racing and testing in Formula 1, NASCAR, SCCA, Rally, and Off Road to original equipment on BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, MercedesBenz, Porsche, Subaru, Toyota, GM, Ford, and Chrysler vehicles, Bilstein Gas Pressure Shock Absorbers have proven to be the best.

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Ride, handling and control are what a shock absorber provides. Compromise in one area may create a problem in another. Bilstein's patented design reduces the need for compromise. The rising rate valving of the Bilstein shock absorber provides the necessary damping to react quicker to road conditions without sacrificing ride comfort. This combination of valving and high pressure nitrogen gas keeps the tires in constant contact with the road helping to ensure safety through enhanced control.

Conventional shocks slowly lose efficiency and eventually fail over a period of time, causing excessive tire and suspension component wear. Bilstein shocks continue to deliver optimum performance for life.

Bilstein also manufactures an extensive line of performance gas pressure struts for most automotive applications. Utilizing the same technological design advantages as our gas pressure shock absorbers, Bilstein monotube struts also provide superior stability through exceptional resistance to lateral forces. Bilstein's twin tube strut assemblies are manufactured with the extreme attention to precision and detail that Bilstein is famous for. They're designed to withstand maximum loads while providing high durability. And like our shock absorbers, Bilstein Struts are built for the specific application. Bilstein Gas Pressure Strut/Inserts operate on the same principle as our normal gas pressure shock absorber. In the conventional McPherson strut (which is based on the use of the twin tube shock absorber) the piston rod protrudes above the McPherson strut assembly and attaches to the sprung mass of the vehicle. In this type of application the piston rod has to absorb not only compression and rebound forces but tremendous side loads. The Bilstein principle is to manufacture the strut/insert with the rod pointing down into the strut tube, thereby utilizing the thicker, stouter body portion of the shock absorber to dissipate side loads (see sketch). In short, due to the increased diameter and surface of the pressure tube, the Bilstein Gas Pressure Strut/Insert is better suited to take increased side loads when compared with the conventional twin tube strut/insert. The Bilstein Gas Pressure Strut/Insert, whose development was strongly influenced by the Motorsport industry, has other advantages besides the one quoted above, namely greater stability, better road handling, and accurate steering. This combined with extremely high quality manufacturing and materials, means Bilsteins will last approximately four times as long as original replacement inserts.

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Heat is one of the major detriments to the performance and longevity of any shock absorber. Conventional designed shocks trap the heat within the shock body and preventing adequate dissipation, making them prone to heat build up, fade and eventual failure.

Bilstein's technically superior, patented monotube gas charged design allows the excessive heat from the oil to transfer to the outer surface of the shock body and dissipate more efficiently. The dividing piston also permits the oil to expand as heat builds, preventing aeration (foaming) and viscosity loss. This allows the shock to maintain full damping characteristics as temperatures rise.

Superior Monotube Design & Fabrication The tube of a Bilstein Gas Pressure Shock Absorber is fabricated using a special extrusion method. This process achieves an extremely tight peak-to-valley tolerance and maintains consistent wall thickness. Bilstein's seamless monotube design provides superior tube strength while maximizing heat dissipation and shock life.

Digressive Working Piston Assembly
The piston head design allows independent tuning of the compression and rebound damping forces to provide optimum ride comfort and performance without compromise. It features fewer parts than most conventional twin tube and so called "road sensing" shock designs. This simple, yet exceptionally functional digressive design contributes to the extreme durability and long life of Bilstein Shock Absorbers.

Most conventional shocks are made with shock bodies cut from a piece of steel tubing, stamped internal parts and compromised tolerances.

In contrast, Bilstein's shock bodies are precision formed through a unique seamless extrusion process. This provides superior strength along with high finish tolerances that are usually associated with surgical instruments. The shock body is then treated with a special paint finish durable enough to withstand grueling 240-hour salt spray tests. The finished body is mated with a solid, induction hardened steel chrome plated and polished shaft, machined valving components and highest quality seals. Combined with extreme attention to detail, Bilstein manufactures the closest thing to a hand built shock available today.

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