Bilsteins still in good working order?

[KenC]

I recently bought a set of e39 struts with springs. They were a really good deal and I just wanted the springs. The ebay seller said that he wasn't sure if the Bilstein HDs were still working or not.

I popped the springs off to inspect the struts. With one hand atop each of them, it takes nearly all of my 160lb frame to compress them with a good amount of resistance. They also rebound at nearly the same rate.

I'm assuming that they're still good, but just wanted to check with you guys.

[KenC]

Seriously? Nobody?

[CarsSuck]

I would think the most important thing is that they're even in compression force and the rate of rebound. I did this test with some shocks my buddy bought for his VW, one didnt rebound at all, so we didnt use those.

My Dad has HDs on his e39, theyre definitely a bit firmer than the stock shocks. Still kind of supple, but not like stock.

[MR 325]

I'd definitely run them.

[KenC]

I'd rather sell them. Too harsh and I can't run HDs in the rear with the airbags.

Keeping the stock sport shocks/struts.

[JGood]

I think I remember reading from one of the suspension guys (maybe GC?) that the "hand test" that you did would only be useful for knowing if the shock is completely blown. Checking high speed compression and rebound would require a shock dyno, and that's really the only way to truly test their performance, to see if the valves are worn.

FWIW, my 300k mile Bilstein Sports still take my body weight to compress, and rebound by themselves in a normal manner.