Steve, the shocks don't typically stop working until the seal fails, then things can go to crap. That's not to say that Bilsteins last forever--but that's why they cost more, and IF you've got your paperwork they'll replace the failure, as long as it meets all of their criteria.
http://www.bilsteinus.com/warranty.php
BILSTEIN WARRANTY POLICIES
(Proof of purchase is required to process warranty)
Please explore the links below for more information:
General Warranty Details
Warranty Details by Product Series
Warranty Restrictions
Return Procedures chart
GENERAL WARRANTY DETAILS
ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America warrants its gas pressure shock absorbers against defects in workmanship and materials for as long as you, the original purchaser, own your car.
If a shock/strut malfunctions and Bilstein determines it to be defective, we will either replace it or repair it depending on the term of the warranty based on the assembly's model type.
WARRANTY RESTRICTIONS
The limited warranties set forth above do not cover normal wear and tear and are non-transferable.
There are only a few specific exceptions to this warranty. They include:
Original equipment shock absorbers - which are warrantied by the original equipment manufacturer.
Improper installation,
Racing, driving competition or off-road use,
Use on modified or other than Bilstein-recommended vehicles.
Bent or broken Rods showing abuse or abnormal wear
Surface finish, boot or mounting hardware such as, but not limited to, rubber bushings, as well as labor charges are not covered by any of the foregoing limited warranties.
Bilstein's liability for a defective shock absorber is limited to replacement of shock with a new or reconditioned Bilstein shock absorber. Repair or replacement as provided by this warranty is customer's sole and exclusive remedy in the event of a product failure. Manufacturer shall not be liable for any incidental, consequential or other damages resulting from the disassembly, handling, installation, service, repair or use of this product. Some States do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from State to State.
Note: Other exclusions may or may not apply in certain states or rare circumstances.
WARRANTY PROCESSING
1. Proof of purchase is required to process all warranties.
2. If possible check the suspect shock/strut for possible failure using the directions listed below
3. If the shock/strut assembly qualifies as defective return it to your place of purchase accompanied by a copy of the proof of purchase. Include all contact information including a description of the problem/failure
For additional information about our warranty, please contact our Warranty Hotline by phone at 1(800) 370-9522 or email at
[email protected].
Age & mileage does not constitute a failure--about the only way I can think of to evaluate that would be to run the car across a Hunter "safety lane" to have their suspension tester evaluate whether the shocks are up to snuff, but I doubt that will be an accepted reason for Bilstein to agree to warranty them.
Bottom line--warranty won't do any good unless you have a failure--loss of gas pressure, piston seizes, shaft gets bent, and worst case will be that the piston then forces the bottom of the shock body to break the tabs on the (front) lower control arm that secure the shock. On a rear shock, it would more likely be the upper mount (crossmember) that bears the brunt of a seized shock. These conditions may or may not be acceptable as meeting warranty requirements, but a case-by-case exception may be the way these situations get addressed.
A front shock on the B-body is fairly well-protected inside the spring, while a rear shock is more exposed to being hit by something that could dent the monotube and cause a piston seizure. If the shock body is damaged, I do not believe that is considered warrantable.
