2021 Badlands- Rear Bilstein shocks are shot!

Fomoco21

Took delivery of my bronco 10/21. Have had many issues (4x4 module, etc) that lasted two years. Ended up being a bad ground that took forever to diagnose.

Now, at 50,000 miles and out of the blue the rear shocks fell apart!! My wife drives this vehicle to and from work. The only time its been off road is when its on the lift at the Ford dealer!

I called my dealer this morning, as I understand Bilstein has a limited lifetime warranty.. I also see that a lot of other people are having the same issue, right around 50,000 miles. My dealer said they don't know anything about the warranty but that they cant cover that. And gave me a price to replace them. Why would I pay $1400.00 to replace them with the same crap?? I am not done fighting this, but need to get them repaired as i don't feel it is safe to drive, bouncing like crazy when hitting a dip in the road. I called the local off-road installation garage and they gave me a price at around $2500 to replace all 4 shocks, with alignment with a better product.

I know Ford canvasses this forum... what are you going to do about this, what seems to be a big problem.

I hate to be negative, I was one of the most excited about Ford bringing back the bronco and was one of the first to get it...but I've had nothing but bad luck and we baby the crap out of it.

Ford- "buy this awesome off road vehicle" (... but if you just drive it on the road the advanced shock system will fall apart).

I have read and heard that 50K is not unheard for these and many more throw away shocks. The higher end units (after market) are able to be rebuilt and re used. But for these Bilsteins, I hate to report 50k seems to be the lifespan before needing replaced. (While Bilstein makes some great quality products, their OEM stuff is built to those lower standards.)

@Mikes2021Bronco is correct. 50K appears to be the magic number for these shocks. And it isn’t limited to Bilsteins.

TK1215

@Mikes2021Bronco is correct. 50K appears to be the magic number for these shocks. And it isn’t limited to Bilsteins.

Not uh, my 1st one went at 42k 😁

And yes, those shocks are complete garbage. That's why I'm switching to the 6100's, rear shocks already replaced, fronts in next week or 2.

And I will add, if you want to tell me that a shock will rot out in 50k miles and that's normal? I'm calling B.S., piss poor welds and paint are the root cause. And it's happening mostly in the northern part of the country, places where salt and brine are used during the winter.

TK1215

@Mikes2021Bronco is correct. 50K appears to be the magic number for these shocks. And it isn’t limited to Bilsteins.

Accutune told me that for any of their "high performance" shocks like King or Fox, etc. that they should be maintained after 50K miles. If you do a lot of off-roading it could be less. But, yeah, completely falling apart? No sorry, that's a quality issue out of the gate.

I off-road a lot and the stock Badlands shocks are trash. Like, complete trash!

I have not been happy with them at all off-road (I guess they are fine on pavement) so I've been on the hunt for some 6100's. Found a killer deal for the front and rear so I snagged the set. Gonna slap them in early next week.

JoergH

Accutune told me that for any of their "high performance" shocks like King or Fox, etc. that they should be maintained after 50K miles. If you do a lot of off-roading it could be less. But, yeah, completely falling apart? No sorry, that's a quality issue out of the gate.

Don’t think I’m cheering for these shocks. I am completely aware of their shortcomings. All I am saying is under the best of circumstances, 50 K will be as good as it gets. In looking at the failure spot, these are just, how do you say, “poorly engineered “. The huge difference with the aftermarket suspensions is the ability to service them. Shocks just wear out over time. These ones disintegrate.

When I was up at OverlandExpo PNW I was chatting with the gentleman who runs the Bilstien aftermarket shocks. He was very clear in stating that the aftermarket division was completely separate from the division who build the OEM shocks. He was no fan.

TK1215

When I was up at OverlandExpo PNW I was chatting with the gentleman who runs the Bilstien aftermarket shocks. He was very clear in stating that the aftermarket division was completely separate from the division who build the OEM shocks. He was no fan.

I'd have to agree.. Like I said before, the Badlands stock shocks are umm, well, ----> 💩 💩

I think I am somewhere around 35K right now and I have been squirreling away my first communion money for a complete suspension upgrade. My plan is to have the new suspension purchased and installed by next springs Moab trip.

raqball

I'd have to agree.. Like I said before, the Badlands stock shocks are umm, well, ----> 💩 💩

How do you say a “steaming pile “🤣

raqball

I off-road a lot and the stock Badlands shocks are trash. Like, complete trash!

I have not been happy with them at all off-road (I guess they are fine on pavement) so I've been on the hunt for some 6100's. Found a killer deal for the front and rear so I snagged the set. Gonna slap them in early next week.

I'm curious as to why you think the stock Badlands shocks are trash off-road? This is really my first off-road vehicle and doing any kind of rock crawling. I have nothing to compare to so they could be absolute garbage and I wouldn't know any difference. 😆
I can see the benefit of a good shock for higher speed stuff or even on the pavement but the slow stuff like rock crawling or 2 tracking, I'm not sure what the benefit of a high dollar shock is. Would they plant a tire better? Less chance of wheel hop? Possibly more articulation? Genuinely curious.

TK1215

How do you say a “steaming pile “🤣

I suppose they are fine on road but yeah, getting 50K out of these shocks, considering they are 💩, is probably pretty good. My issue with them is off-road performance or a complete lack thereof..

Deano Bronc

I'm curious as to why you think the stock Badlands shocks are trash off-road? This is really my first off-road vehicle and doing any kind of rock crawling. I have nothing to compare to so they could be absolute garbage and I wouldn't know any difference. 😆
I can see the benefit of a good shock for higher speed stuff or even on the pavement but the slow stuff like rock crawling or 2 tracking, I'm not sure what the benefit of a high dollar shock is. Would they plant a tire better? Less chance of wheel hop? Possibly more articulation? Genuinely curious.

Like most things you'll get a wide variety of opinions on shocks. Some will tell you that at low speed shocks don't really matter but I can personally feel and notice issues. I don't do high speed 4 wheeling - never have, never will. Not my thing.

When I say slow speeds I am not talking sub 5MPH. I am more talking about something in the 5-15MPH range. Typically on deep forest trails, I can move along them anywhere in that 5-15MPH range. Sure there are times at 5MPH or under but they are generally only for short stretches of trail.

As to the stock Badlands shocks, and why I think they are terrible off-road: Most of my off-roading is at slowish speed on deep forest routs filled with ruts, washouts, erosion and small to medium rocky areas etc.

1. They feel sloppy at slow speed when in deep ruts or washouts
2. Compression and dampening is pretty bad on them even at slow speed
3. Articulation is bad at slow speed (shock valving issue?)

Those are my 3 main gripes with them. . They are also terrible on washboards. Even small washboards will toss the Bronco around at low speed. I do understand that some of these issues can also be attributed to other areas.

It's not just the Bronco, on my pervious Jeep I replaced the stock shocks as well as they are equally as bad. I guess it could be that I am just picky and they are fine for most people.

I don't really blame Ford as I think these were built and tuned for on road comfort and performance.

I am going to get the 6100's installed early next week then I have an off-road day trip planned for Wednesday of next week. I'll get a good idea of the 6100's at that point and see how much better, if any, they are.

My .02

I have a 22 Wildtrak with the Bilstein 5100s I believe & I'm at about 50,400 miles.
Guess I should start looking for a good deal on some new shocks from what this all sounds like.

Fomoco21

Took delivery of my bronco 10/21. Have had many issues (4x4 module, etc) that lasted two years. Ended up being a bad ground that took forever to diagnose.

Now, at 50,000 miles and out of the blue the rear shocks fell apart!! My wife drives this vehicle to and from work. The only time its been off road is when its on the lift at the Ford dealer!

I called my dealer this morning, as I understand Bilstein has a limited lifetime warranty.. I also see that a lot of other people are having the same issue, right around 50,000 miles. My dealer said they don't know anything about the warranty but that they cant cover that. And gave me a price to replace them. Why would I pay $1400.00 to replace them with the same crap?? I am not done fighting this, but need to get them repaired as i don't feel it is safe to drive, bouncing like crazy when hitting a dip in the road. I called the local off-road installation garage and they gave me a price at around $2500 to replace all 4 shocks, with alignment with a better product.

I know Ford canvasses this forum... what are you going to do about this, what seems to be a big problem.

I hate to be negative, I was one of the most excited about Ford bringing back the bronco and was one of the first to get it...but I've had nothing but bad luck and we baby the crap out of it.

Ford- "buy this awesome off road vehicle" (... but if you just drive it on the road the advanced shock system will fall apart).

Mine have about 7,000 miles on them and you are more than welcome to have all 4 of them for free next week when I swap them out. My badlands is a 2023 so not 100% sure if they'd work on a 2021. They probably will unless Ford changed something.

If you want em, let me know. All I ask is that you pay for shipping..

I will throw this out there - before you spend the $$$ on another set of Bilsteins, look into Icon. For the $, I think they're great products.
My brother has been running a full Icon lift kit on his F350 for a few years now & he puts about 25000 miles a year on it with zero issues at all.
Just with a quick look you could spend about $800-1250 for a full set of front & rear 2.0 Shocks depending on if you want reservoirs or not. & if you look around at 3rd parties, you might get better pricing than on Icon's site.
A set of 2.0 with reservoirs is probably what I'll end up getting when it's time to remove the bilsteins on mine.
Or if I get bored this winter before my KOH trip in February.... lol

jtgensler

I will throw this out there - before you spend the $ on another set of Bilsteins, look into Icon. For the $, I think they're great products.
My brother has been running a full Icon lift kit on his F350 for a few years now & he puts about 25000 miles a year on it with zero issues at all.
Just with a quick look you could spend about $800-1250 for a full set of front & rear 2.0 Shocks depending on if you want reservoirs or not. & if you look around at 3rd parties, you might get better pricing than on Icon's site.
A set of 2.0 with reservoirs is probably what I'll end up getting when it's time to remove the bilsteins on mine.
Or if I get bored this winter before my KOH trip in February.... lol

I got a killer deal on the front and rear 6100's. $800 shipped and delivered, no tax. I did look at the Icons and they look awesome as well but the 2.5's are a lot more $$$. I had Bilsteins on my JK and was happy with them so I ultimately decided on the 6100's.

jtgensler

I will throw this out there - before you spend the $$ on another set of Bilsteins, look into Icon. For the $, I think they're great products.
My brother has been running a full Icon lift kit on his F350 for a few years now & he puts about 25000 miles a year on it with zero issues at all.
Just with a quick look you could spend about $800-1250 for a full set of front & rear 2.0 Shocks depending on if you want reservoirs or not. & if you look around at 3rd parties, you might get better pricing than on Icon's site.
A set of 2.0 with reservoirs is probably what I'll end up getting when it's time to remove the bilsteins on mine.
Or if I get bored this winter before my KOH trip in February.... lol

Where are you seeing this?

I found this on Icon's web site.



As for the 6100's, those shocks re-use the Sasquatch Springs. I was just under $1000 for a set of 4. The universal "shocks" which sell for around $200, are just shocks, not coil overs. So how does that work? Where is the seat for the spring?



Granted I'm not putting in too much research on this, and that's why I'm asking the question. But I'm seeing the 6100's as being cheaper if you're not looking to spend $2k +


EDIT: I just now noticed you said "for the $", NOT "for about the same $". So it would be a matter of what you plan on using the truck for. I'd imagine Icon is a better shock, but for a truck that is mostly a commuter (my case), I'm not dropping that kind of cash.

EvlNvrDys

Where are you seeing this?

I found this on Icon's web site.



As for the 6100's, those shocks re-use the Sasquatch Springs. I was just under $1000 for a set of 4. The universal "shocks" which sell for around $200, are just shocks, not coil overs. So how does that work? Where is the seat for the spring?



Granted I'm not putting in too much research on this, and that's why I'm asking the question. But I'm seeing the 6100's as being cheaper if you're not looking to spend $2k +

On Icon's site, just select 2.0 Shocks - I wasn't looking at entire coilover kits. So this would be the equivalent of the 6100s, reusing the existing spring I believe.


I'm certainly not an expert on shocks or anything really. Maybe these aren't compatible in the way I thought where you could just replace the OEM Bilsteins with these Icon Universals.... though I don't know why they'd mark them as compatible then.