Bilstein 8112 Clunk

I’ve installed the 8112 struts on my truck a few weeks ago and I’ve been chasing a single clunking noise that occurs going over small/sharp bumps in the road. It kinda sounds like as if you left the top strut tower bolts a little loose (they’re tight). I have them set at 2” per Bilsteins specs and I added a 1/4” shim. I also installed Icon tubular UCAs and Deaver stage 2 leaf packs but I’m certain those are not the problem. I’ve taken this stuff apart 4 times now and re torqued everything to spec. I also can’t replicate the sound in the garage. I know several other folks have experienced this, I’m just curious if this is normal or if theirs a fix for it?

 

There was a long thread about clunking with Eibach. You might find some ideas there.

 

Just did a search for that and found a few with similar issues but no resolution. I’m going to have an alignment shop check the LCA’s although I know they’re torqued to specs.

 

I would remove 1/4” top hat spacer Imo

 

Why(genuinely)? I’ve been told several folks run the 8112s this way.

 

Do there specs say to run a spacer? Could it be your topping out shock? What’s Bilsteins specs on lift heights?

 

Not bilstein but I chased a clunk for months in the rear of my truck with a pair of elkas. Turned out the nitrogen charge was low which caused the clunking on small chatters bumps.

 

Are you sure you aren't just hearing the pistons going through the compression and rebound zones? Bilstein specifically states in the installation guide that the 8112s will be audible during compression and rebound strokes.

 

I’m pretty certain, they say it’s an audible click. I’m hearing it over very slow speed small bumps, so, not very far into the travel. It’s similar if not the same as this noise.
https://youtu.be/WWWHzCln9lQ?si=KlAauzrbHWyDr8pQ

 

Sounds like normal 8112s. Quick Google and you'll find lots of reviews and different folks reporting the same thing. If Bilstein specifically stated it will make an audible noise, especially during low speed. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

I’m really trying to believe that it is in fact “normal”. I’ve talked to a few others running the same suspension without any noises. Obviously it’s going to differ truck to truck but it still makes me question. I’m 100% confident that everything is torqued to specs. So it’s all come down to faulty struts or something internal like the CV, steering rack. I’m going to replace the front body mounts next just to see if that’s it. My drivers side one looks… not new anymore. At 14k

 

Send them my way and let me test them for you!
You could replace them but what if you do and the noise is still there? Then it'll start to turn into parts cannon.

 

I’m definitely not replacing them unless Bilstein is going to swap them out for free which I don’t see happening. So, parts cannon it is.

 

I'm still thinking about either getting a set of these or going ADS. Keep us updated if the noise goes away after replacing the body mounts.

 

Have you replaced the lower shock bolts with the proper ones?

Did you reach out to who you bought them from?

 

Yea I ordered the gold bolts from 303 to replace the oem tapered bolts. I really thought that would be the fix but unfortunately it wasn’t. Yea I’ve reached out to them and Bilstein. Bilstein has been pretty slow to respond and basically said to take it back to the shop that installed them…. But I installed them, so SOL I guess. Gonna see if Toyota will check the front body mount bushings.

 

Update: Toyota wants $175 for their “suspension specialist” to look at it. I wasn’t about to play that game of “well it’s because you have aftermarket suspension or your tires are bigger than the recommended size. Etc etc”
I ordered some universal bushings for the front body mounts although I don’t think that’s what I’m feeling/hearing.

 

update?

 

I’m pretty sure the noise I’m hearing isn’t the body mounts. It’s too inconsistent. I’m working with Bilstein on getting these struts replaced.

 

Really interested in these.
Keep us updated. Would be good to know not only the performance / reliability side but also the support they can provide when issues arise.