BILSTEIN B8 Front Left Shock Absorber for Suzuki Swift AZ
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📞 Ask an Expert!The sports shock absorber
More sportiness, control and precision: the B8 is the ideal damper for cars on lowering springs or a standard sports suspension. Its shortened design keeps the spring preloaded and gives precise, agile handling with a sporty look.
The B8 at a glance
The B8 combines the performance of the B6 with a specially shortened body for lowering springs – an exceptionally capable sports damper that is still comfortable.
Dampers for sports springs, lowering kits and standard sports suspension
The B8 is a high-performance damper for suspension set-ups with higher demands. In classic performance use, its shorter length keeps lowering and sports springs properly preloaded, so spring and damper work together at their best. Other B8 versions are built for tough conditions: raised and off-road vehicles, or hard use on poor roads.
Product benefits
The B8 adds driving pleasure and safety. As a sports damper it performs best on lowered cars, and depending on the vehicle it also comes in versions for raised suspension and off-road use.
- Specially shortened performance dampers, for lowering modern cars, classics and current vehicles
- Off-road versions too, for raised and off-road vehicles and campers
- Clearly better performance: optimal, consistent damping and better handling, even under heavy load and stress
- Easy replacement: fits like the standard part, with no need to change springs or get a parts certificate (observe the spring's approval)
- Durable and robust: made to top OE standards for maximum reliability
What makes B8 stand out
- From classics and new cars to off-roaders and campers: as a sports damper for lowered cars and a specialist damper for raised and off-road set-ups, the B8 noticeably improves handling across a wide range of uses.
- Works with almost all lowering-spring kits and OE sports suspensions; its shorter length and tuned damping curve give the best performance in sporty driving.
- Developed for each vehicle in Bilstein's real-world road tests, for clearly better dynamics and controlled road behaviour.
- Easy replacement with no extra work and no other changes to the car; no need to change springs or get a parts certificate (observe the spring's type approval).
- Intensive testing – long-term endurance tests, extreme salt-spray tests, scratch tests and 1:1 checks before delivery – for maximum durability and quality.
- Made in Germany to OE quality standards and extensively tested, for long-lasting performance and stable damping even when driven hard.
Where the B8 is used
- Tuning and lowering: the ideal damper for upgrades with sports or lowering springs. Its piston rod extended length is about 20 mm shorter than standard, for correct spring preload, precise handling and maximum dynamics.
- Sporty driving: its specially tuned damping curve gives sporty handling – cars with a standard sports suspension benefit too.
- Everyday use: more comfort, control, driving pleasure and safety, even under heavy loads or fully loaded.
- Sporty classics: brings modern suspension performance to classics and modern classics; with the right preload for lowering springs it gives more precise handling and stability.
Frequently asked questions
Which shock absorber do you recommend for my car?
B4 dampers are made to OE specification, so the car's standard ride height and tuning are kept; selection follows the car's specification. B6 and B8 dampers have their own tuning, set in road tests to Bilstein's "comfort and sport" philosophy. With standard functional dimensions both are height-neutral and need no registration. Thanks to its changed extended length, the B8 suits standard sports suspension and lowering or raising springs of up to 50 mm; its piston rod extended length is up to 20 mm longer or shorter than standard.
What is the difference between B6 and B8?
The B8's extended length is about 20 mm shorter, which keeps a lowering spring preloaded. The B6 is used with standard springs. For lift springs, the extended length is 20 mm longer.
Do you offer electronically adjustable dampers or kits that fit directly and keep the standard function (e.g. DCC, CATS, EDC, PASM)?
Yes – Bilstein offers plug-and-play solutions for many applications, marked "DT" (DampTronic). Whatever the car maker calls its electronic suspension, the catalogue lists the right match.
Can you email me the damper certificate?
Dampers that meet the OE functional specification do not need registration, so no type approval or parts certificate is needed. If used with lowering or raising springs, the springs need a parts certificate / type approval, available from the spring maker.
Is there installation information for workshops?
Dampers are fitted following the vehicle maker's instructions. For air springs and air suspension modules, where the work differs from the OE part, Bilstein provides installation videos and instructions linked to the part number in its online catalogue.
Can Bilstein modify, adapt or overhaul my dampers (e.g. shorten, repair, re-valve, customise)?
Overhauls of high-performance dampers (B6 and up) are possible at Bilstein, depending on the model, through its Special Customer Requests department.
The B6/B8 cartridge is smaller in diameter than the standard cartridge.
That is fine. The cartridge is clamped axially by the cap nut and held in place by the strut tube. The cap nut torque is 130 Nm.
What is the tightening torque for the cartridge nut on B6, B8 and B12 struts?
130 Nm for the cartridge cap nut.
Do I need a special tool for the cartridge cap nut?
Yes – the Bilstein cartridge wrench: part no. 14-244131 (E-MS 08/7) for 30 mm or 14-244148 (E-MS 08/6) for 36 mm.
Do my shock absorbers need protective tubes?
Yes. Only a very few vehicles run dampers without them. They keep the environment away from the piston rod and seals, which would otherwise shorten the damper's life. If a damper comes without them, the standard protective tubes (Bilstein B1) fit.
Why does the suspension need enough spring preload?
Preload keeps the spring firmly seated in every situation, even at full compression. Axial play is checked here – an important point, also for roadworthiness inspections.
Product details
- Bilstein part number: 22-243249
- Part type: Shock Absorber
- Fitting Position: Front Axle Left
- Paired article numbers: 22-243256
- Shock Absorber Design: Suspension Strut
- Shock Absorber Mounting Type: Top pin; Bottom Clamp
- Shock Absorber Type: Gas Pressure
- Shock Absorber System: Twin-Tube
- EAN: 4025258768263
- Bilstein series: BILSTEIN - B8 Performance Plus
Vehicle Fitment
| Make | Model | Chassis | Models | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki | Swift | AZ | All models | 2010–2017 |
Detailed applications
| Make | Model | Series | Variant | Engine | Engine code | Power | Fuel | Body | Drive | Gearbox | Built | Fitting conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki | Swift | AZ (2010-2017) | 1.2 L, 1242 cc, 4 cyl | K12B | 93 hp | Petrol | Hatchback | FWD | Auto/4, Manual/5 | 08/2010 – 12/2017 | Suspension: for vehicles with sports suspension | |
| Suzuki | Swift | AZ (2010-2017) | 1.6 L, 1586 cc, 4 cyl | M16A | 134 hp | Petrol | Hatchback | FWD | Manual/6 | 10/2011 – 12/2017 | Suspension: for vehicles with sports suspension |