Are Bilstein HD internals universal?

I've got jvab lower legs on my VW and the HD inserts are bent and/or abused. I'm wondering if I can buy a less expensive HD's intended for a different car and remove the insert from the bilstein lowers to reuse it on my jvabs?

The valving would probably be different but if I have to send them to bilstein to remove the travel spacers anyway, could I save some cash by buying non-VW specific HD's and sending those in to be re-valved?

Are the inserts not available through Bilstein?

Haven't called them. They've done rebuilds for me and replaced parts but this might (most likely) cost less then having them replaced by their service department. Last time I talked to JVL he didn't seem keen on them replacing an entire insert.

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Dave Grenwis - DG Rally - www.dgrally.com

Got ya.
eshocks lists the stock HD strut assemblies for $167/ea
I've picked up good used sets for $100.

That price decent. Thanks!

I've seen them as low as $90 new for other makes/models, just curious if they have the same travel and are compatible.

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Dave Grenwis - DG Rally - www.dgrally.com

Do you have JVAB or Bilstein HD? They are not all the same, I think the JVAB use a bigger insert than the Bilstein HDs.
Why would JVAB not be "keen" on selling you a new insert. The affordability of the insert was always a benefit of the JVAB stuff.

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Grant Hughes

I have 40 mm bilstein HD's with jvab lower legs, the old style before he did the 50mm. Jvab doesn't sell bilstein 40mm inserts, unless I was missing something or he didn't feel like selling them. I doubt that was the case.

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Dave Grenwis - DG Rally - www.dgrally.com

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DG_Rally
I have 40 mm bilstein HD's with jvab lower legs, the old style before he did the 50mm. Jvab doesn't sell bilstein 40mm inserts, unless I was missing something or he didn't feel like selling them. I doubt that was the case.

Iäve sold hundred and hundreds of the 40s..You stuff came, the inserts were bent badly )they are sitting right there----->...And you tore down more stuff and I haven't head a peep..

Options_----re-tube and remachine the exsiting inserts..I have a pile of stuff going in the Post on Monday..Those can go down and get a rebuild and new tubes..That's about $137 each. Plus UPS

Buy new inserts.They are unmachined at the top--just a big 25x110mm bar..
That'll be approx $235 all done..

You tell me what you want to do...I can't just decide myself.

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John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
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Quote
john vanlandingham
Iäve sold hundred and hundreds of the 40s..You stuff came, the inserts were bent badly )they are sitting right there----->...And you tore down more stuff and I haven't head a peep..

Options_----re-tube and remachine the exsiting inserts..I have a pile of stuff going in the Post on Monday..Those can go down and get a rebuild and new tubes..That's about $137 each. Plus UPS

Buy new inserts.They are unmachined at the top--just a big 25x110mm bar..
That'll be approx $235 all done..

You tell me what you want to do...I can't just decide myself.

John, please include my inserts in your Monday shipment. I'm good with that pricing for repair. Only 1 insert is bent, the other has a chip in the chrome plating. I'm guessing rebuild is additional? If you don't want to work on the other stuff I sent, send it back and let me know what I owe you. If you do, lets talk. I moved so PM me for my new address.

We've talked several times since your received that stuff and I told you I wanted the inserts fixed but you never gave me any options. You were going to call me with options since you were busy at the time but that didn't happen. I tried contacting you via phone, PM and email in the following weeks. You didn't respond and I eventually gave up. That was almost a year ago. Don't put this on me, that's not fair.

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Dave Grenwis - DG Rally - www.dgrally.com