(* Double check the below info against other sources before ordering any parts.*)
I've been "collecting" info on Bilstein shocks / struts so thought I'd put it all together in one thread. Currently there's info spread everywhere (often in threads on other topics).
To start with, there was a suspension change to the front struts around late 2014- September comes up on some sites, January 2015 on others. That change involved the front suspension spring design- the lowest coil (ie. the one that seats in the strut platform) has a smaller diameter end coil compared to the earlier model Escape/ Kuga. See here H&R Lowering Springs . So the across the 2013-2019 Escape/ Kuga there are two different front strut designs that aren't interchangeable. The rear shock absorber is physically the same (AFAIK.)
You won't find much (any?) info on the Bilstein USA websites for the Escape (Edit- see 2013 Search Results and 2016 Search Results .) However, the European Bilstein catalog does list fitments for the Kuga- which has the same suspension as far as struts/ shocks go.
The Euro Bilstein catalog is here: http://web1.carparts-cat.com/defaul...at.com/default.aspx?11=18&14=4&10=02361B90831F4649BB17717B1716763B018001&12=100
(If the catalog comes up in German go to the top RHS and click on the down arrow next to "Log On", then the down arrow under "User Name" and select the UK flag to get English.)
The catalog lists various different Euro Kuga spec engines and drive lines. (Referred to as the "Kuga II DM2" on their listing.) Browsing through the different options the engine or drive train fitted doesn't change shock/ strut fitment, it's the date of manufacture that matters. In this case Bilstein list 01/2015 as the changeover date for the smaller front strut spring platform with the 2.0l EcoBoost.* You'll find the B4 is currently available (rear shock/ front struts) for the 2013-2014 and there is a recent new listing for the 2015-2019 Kuga (rear shock/ front struts). The B4 range is classed as an OEM equivalent replacement. "Our BILSTEIN B4 is the reference for shock absorbers with gas-pressure. Our standard for your car guarantees a perfect driving behaviour – as on the very first day. " BILSTEIN B4. - BILSTEIN
*The changeover date for the front struts is early 2014 for the North American built Escape.
One thing to note is Bilstein did make a B6 fitment for the 2008- 2012 Kuga. (Referred to as the "Kuga" or "Kuga I" on their listings.) Note that model Kuga is a different vehicle to the 2013-2019 Escape/ Kuga with a different body and drive-train. The B6 range is classed as "... ideal gas-pressure shock absorber for those who refuse to compromise between performance or comfort. Even without lowering you will get better vehicle dynamics for a comfortable street performance in town and on the highway." See BILSTEIN B6. - Bilstein Fitting the front struts is discussed in other threads on here- the B6 strut isn't a bolt on fit for the later 2013-2019 Escape/ Kuga. There are posts where it has been fitted using the front springs from the 2008-2012 Euro Kuga. See H&R Lowering Springs and Wider tires and wheels The rear B6 shock is however a straight bolt on fit on the 2013-2019 Escape/ Kuga. I checked the rear B6 shock against my factory stock fit shock absorber and they are the exact same dimension. See H&R Lowering Springs and
I contacted the Australian Bilstein distributor and questioned the possibility of them building a custom "hybrid" shock using the available B4 strut leg and fitting B6 internals from the 2008-2012 Kuga B6 strut. They've come back and said they can do it, however the price is definitely "up there". It does mean a B6 front strut can be sourced that is a direct bolt on fit. For reference the build sheet states using "B6 inserts PE3-3155" - which appear to be a somewhat universal fit insert for struts. There is custom valving involved to match the specs of the 2008-2012 Kuga B6.
Some part numbers:
Bilstein B4
To 12/2014 (large diameter end coil on front strut)
Front LHS strut 22-242907
Front RHS strut 22-242914
Rear shock 19-242927
From 01/2015 (small diameter end coil on front strut)
Front LHS strut 22-298942
Front RHS strut 22-298959
Rear shock 19-298962
Bilstein B6 - to suit 2008-2012 Euro Kuga
Front struts will not fit 2013 on models without mods- read above blurb
Front LHS strut 35-156512
Front RHS strut 35-156529
Rear shock 24-156530
(Rear B6 shock absorber 24-15630 is physically a straight bolt on fit for 2013-2019 Escape/ Kuga. See below.)
Edit: Bilstein USA are now listing the B4 fitment for later model Escapes Search Results
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I've been "collecting" info on Bilstein shocks / struts so thought I'd put it all together in one thread. Currently there's info spread everywhere (often in threads on other topics).
To start with, there was a suspension change to the front struts around late 2014- September comes up on some sites, January 2015 on others. That change involved the front suspension spring design- the lowest coil (ie. the one that seats in the strut platform) has a smaller diameter end coil compared to the earlier model Escape/ Kuga. See here H&R Lowering Springs . So the across the 2013-2019 Escape/ Kuga there are two different front strut designs that aren't interchangeable. The rear shock absorber is physically the same (AFAIK.)
You won't find much (any?) info on the Bilstein USA websites for the Escape (Edit- see 2013 Search Results and 2016 Search Results .) However, the European Bilstein catalog does list fitments for the Kuga- which has the same suspension as far as struts/ shocks go.
The Euro Bilstein catalog is here: http://web1.carparts-cat.com/defaul...at.com/default.aspx?11=18&14=4&10=02361B90831F4649BB17717B1716763B018001&12=100
(If the catalog comes up in German go to the top RHS and click on the down arrow next to "Log On", then the down arrow under "User Name" and select the UK flag to get English.)
The catalog lists various different Euro Kuga spec engines and drive lines. (Referred to as the "Kuga II DM2" on their listing.) Browsing through the different options the engine or drive train fitted doesn't change shock/ strut fitment, it's the date of manufacture that matters. In this case Bilstein list 01/2015 as the changeover date for the smaller front strut spring platform with the 2.0l EcoBoost.* You'll find the B4 is currently available (rear shock/ front struts) for the 2013-2014 and there is a recent new listing for the 2015-2019 Kuga (rear shock/ front struts). The B4 range is classed as an OEM equivalent replacement. "Our BILSTEIN B4 is the reference for shock absorbers with gas-pressure. Our standard for your car guarantees a perfect driving behaviour – as on the very first day. " BILSTEIN B4. - BILSTEIN
*The changeover date for the front struts is early 2014 for the North American built Escape.
One thing to note is Bilstein did make a B6 fitment for the 2008- 2012 Kuga. (Referred to as the "Kuga" or "Kuga I" on their listings.) Note that model Kuga is a different vehicle to the 2013-2019 Escape/ Kuga with a different body and drive-train. The B6 range is classed as "... ideal gas-pressure shock absorber for those who refuse to compromise between performance or comfort. Even without lowering you will get better vehicle dynamics for a comfortable street performance in town and on the highway." See BILSTEIN B6. - Bilstein Fitting the front struts is discussed in other threads on here- the B6 strut isn't a bolt on fit for the later 2013-2019 Escape/ Kuga. There are posts where it has been fitted using the front springs from the 2008-2012 Euro Kuga. See H&R Lowering Springs and Wider tires and wheels The rear B6 shock is however a straight bolt on fit on the 2013-2019 Escape/ Kuga. I checked the rear B6 shock against my factory stock fit shock absorber and they are the exact same dimension. See H&R Lowering Springs and
I contacted the Australian Bilstein distributor and questioned the possibility of them building a custom "hybrid" shock using the available B4 strut leg and fitting B6 internals from the 2008-2012 Kuga B6 strut. They've come back and said they can do it, however the price is definitely "up there". It does mean a B6 front strut can be sourced that is a direct bolt on fit. For reference the build sheet states using "B6 inserts PE3-3155" - which appear to be a somewhat universal fit insert for struts. There is custom valving involved to match the specs of the 2008-2012 Kuga B6.
Some part numbers:
Bilstein B4
To 12/2014 (large diameter end coil on front strut)
Front LHS strut 22-242907
Front RHS strut 22-242914
Rear shock 19-242927
From 01/2015 (small diameter end coil on front strut)
Front LHS strut 22-298942
Front RHS strut 22-298959
Rear shock 19-298962
Bilstein B6 - to suit 2008-2012 Euro Kuga
Front struts will not fit 2013 on models without mods- read above blurb
Front LHS strut 35-156512
Front RHS strut 35-156529
Rear shock 24-156530
(Rear B6 shock absorber 24-15630 is physically a straight bolt on fit for 2013-2019 Escape/ Kuga. See below.)
Edit: Bilstein USA are now listing the B4 fitment for later model Escapes Search Results
The 2014 on B4 struts with B6 inserts fitted. The insert part number is F4-BE5-H286-M1 going by the empty boxes included. (The inserts have been re-valved to match the 2008-2012 Kuga B6 strut and had the extension length changed to match as well.)
