Front QA1 Struts blew... What do you think of the Bilsteins?

01LaserRedCobra · Jun 21, 2004

Yes my QA1 Struts blew! Oil is coming out of the top. I have been completely dissatisfied with these since I got them for my 01 Cobra. How do you all like the Bilstein kits? I ordered shocks and struts from MM along with a strut tower brace and camber caster plates. I also have a Eibach pro-kit in my cobra, did anyone have any problems with these springs with the bilstein shocks and struts? How do you like them?

Thanks in advance!!!

8yourZ06 · Jun 21, 2004

A friend of mine shares your pain. He had QA1's and they also gave up the ghost as well. He switched to Bilsteins and has had no problems to speak of and I think when I replace mine Ill get some of em myself.

Purebred · Jun 21, 2004

I LOVE mine - they offer a perfect balance of streetability and performance, and you can't beat a lifetime warranty

I have the HDs BTW

stallion98gt · Jun 21, 2004

what about tokicos illuminas ?

01LaserRedCobra · Jun 21, 2004

Do you have anyproblems mounting them with the MM caster camber plates. I hear a lot of stories with some knock over bumps. I was just curious if these were easy to tighten down real good. (as I believe that is why a lot of people get excess noise from them not being tight enough.)

Yes I am going with the Bilstien HD's as well. Do you notice quite a difference from the stock ones.

01LaserRedCobra · Jun 21, 2004

From what I understand they don't make tokicos illuminas for the 01 cobra with IRS.

Purebred · Jun 22, 2004

01LaserRedCobra said:
Do you have anyproblems mounting them with the MM caster camber plates. I hear a lot of stories with some knock over bumps. I was just curious if these were easy to tighten down real good. (as I believe that is why a lot of people get excess noise from them not being tight enough.)

Yes I am going with the Bilstien HD's as well. Do you notice quite a difference from the stock ones.

I guess this was directed at me - not sure

I had mine professionally installed, so I can't really answer the mounting question further than the fact that the installer told me they didn't run into any major issues during the installation.

As far as ride quality, I think the Bils actually ride better than stock, even lowered. I definitely wouldn't want to be lowered with the stock shocks/struts.

Oh yeah, they don't make any more noise than the stock suspension setup, so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend my combo to anyone else

GDawg · Jun 22, 2004

I love my Bilsteins... Piece of cake installing them with the MM C/C plates. And I didn't have any air-tools either.

mity2 · Jun 22, 2004

i love my bilsteins.

hognutz · Jun 22, 2004

The ride is harsher than stock but the quality is great and the install is the easiest of any strut. you just bolt them in. they have thier own dust covers and stops. If you want a cadilac ride though I would try ajustables because on a rough road you will feal it. as for which one's I could not tell you.

jfranci3 · Jun 22, 2004

01LaserRedCobra said:
Do you have anyproblems mounting them with the MM caster camber plates. I hear a lot of stories with some knock over bumps. I was just curious if these were easy to tighten down real good. (as I believe that is why a lot of people get excess noise from them not being tight enough.)

Yes I am going with the Bilstien HD's as well. Do you notice quite a difference from the stock ones.

The only reason you'll have a knock is if they aren't tightened somewhere. Alot of people don't retighten after the set the car down. Ideally, you should jack up one side and tighten the compressed side, then switch. This will push the strut shaft as high as it can possibly go.

01GT eibach · Jun 22, 2004

mity2 said:
i love my bilsteins.

Actually mity2's Bilsteins used to be mine. They do ride very good but are definitely on the "firm" side of the spectrum. I replaced them with Illuminas. With the Illuminas, the handling is about the same but rides a little softer. Just some input depending on what you want for the car. No slam at all on the Bilsteins ... they are a high quality product for sure.

01LaserRedCobra · Jun 22, 2004

The only problem is they don't make the illuminas for the 01 cobra with IRS... That is why I decided on the Bilstiens. I tell you what... I can't believe that the Bilsteins are as harsh as the QA1 strut. I think QA1 should of said (racing strut only) Not a factory replacement. Those thing ride so hard I think that is why it blew out. There rear shocks are excellent. To bad they didn't use the same quality into there struts.

tangerine · Jun 22, 2004

the qa1 struts and shocks should have a lifetime warranty. send them back get them fixed and seel them then you won't have to come out of your pocket for a set of bilsteins.

01LaserRedCobra · Jun 22, 2004

What is the difference between the HD and the SP's? I ordered the HD's with my eibach prokit. Is the SP a softer system? I believe the HD is for heavy duty, but I maybe wrong?

UBINBIT · Jul 22, 2004

I would avoid the QA1 struts at all cost. The customer service is poor and they don't seem to have any experience in set-up. Hell they did'nt know what factory spring rate was so how can they design something that's suppose to be better.

1998 Cobra

mike96gtvert · Jul 27, 2004

01GT eibach said:
Actually mity2's Bilsteins used to be mine. They do ride very good but are definitely on the "firm" side of the spectrum. I replaced them with Illuminas. With the Illuminas, the handling is about the same but rides a little softer. Just some input depending on what you want for the car. No slam at all on the Bilsteins ... they are a high quality product for sure.

yeahh...you said the truth.

-Mik3

Front QA1 Struts blew... What do you think of the Bilsteins?

01LaserRedCobra

8yourZ06

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Purebred

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stallion98gt

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I like Pro3 and all I got was this crappy CT.

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