Bilstein 7100 hose replacement

[Maximumwarp]

Due to my own carelessness when I did the install, the hose for the remote reservoir on my passenger rear shock has been rubbing against the edge of the wheel well. As a result, it has a hole worn in it and it's skeeting oil everywhere.

Is this something that I can get replaced at any old hydraulic shop, or do I need some proprietary Bilstein part? Any issues with having the replacement hose be made shorter than the original? There's a place up the road from my office that we've used pretty frequently to get various hoses made that I'm certain could handle it.

Also, am I correct in assuming that I'll need to have this shock properly recharged with nitrogen as well as replacing the oil that's leaked out? I got these new from eShocks, so I would need to charge it to whatever OEM spec is for a 7100 to match the other side, I guess 150 psi? I also assume there is a defined quantity of oil that should be in there as well.

 

[Mongo]

Nothing special about the hose, length doesn't matter, but I'm sure this thread will go gay, so insert…

Yes, you need to dump the charge before you change the hose, for filling them, the best thing to do is find a race shop that has the nitrogen set up to fill the shocks and fill both of them to same pressure. Bilstien recommends 180 to 220, I ran mine around 160…

 

[Maximumwarp]

Nothing special about the hose, length doesn't matter, but I'm sure this thread will go gay, so insert…

Yes, you need to dump the charge before you change the hose, for filling them, the best thing to do is find a race shop that has the nitrogen set up to fill the shocks and fill both of them to same pressure. Bilstien recommends 180 to 220, I ran mine around 160…

Perfect, that's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks

 

[Maximumwarp]

Had the local hydraulic shop put a new line on. He said he didn't like the angle of the flex hose with the reservoir mounted on the body of the shock, so he recommended a hard line. Came out looking pretty good. Called the local 4 Wheel Parts and they said they would put nitrogen in it for free.

 

[chris snell]

That's awesome.

 

[ptschram]

If there is any vibration whatsoever, that pretty copper hose is gonna break and you'll be doing this all over again.

 

[squirt]

If there is any vibration whatsoever, that pretty copper hose is gonna break and you'll be doing this all over again.

Is that why air compressors use this setup all the time?

 

[ptschram]

Is that why air compressors use this setup all the time?

Yet if you look at most air compressors, there is some sort of a stress relief in them as well.

If you look at natural gas lines, you'll see odd loops or hoops specifically to reduce stresses brought on by thermal changes.

 

[Mongo]

PT is right...heat and vibration will cause cracks along the flare joints and the hard line will act as the heat sink. You'd be amazed how much heat is generated, even with normal highway driving. Also one good smack from a rock or other shit thrown up from your tires and its toast. A simple 45* or 60* fitting on the hose relieves all the stress your guy is worried about. Look in the racing world and see if you find any hard line on shocks.

 

[Maximumwarp]

It's not pure copper, some kind of alloy. The shop I went to makes lines for heavy equipment, so I went with his recommendation. I had the same concerns you guys raised, but we'll see what happens. If this version goes bad, I'll probably go back to a flex line and try mounting the reservoir horizontally on the frame.

 

[road1will]

It's not pure copper, some kind of alloy. The shop I went to makes lines for heavy equipment, so I went with his recommendation. I had the same concerns you guys raised, but we'll see what happens. If this version goes bad, I'll probably go back to a flex line and try mounting the reservoir horizontally on the frame.

As long as they used the right stuff, you will be fine. I did the same thing 10 years ago and they held up fine for 3-4 years til I sold the truck.