Rusted Bilstein 5100 after 6 months

[tony_4r]

I installed the rear 5100 Bilstein's in December and look at this picture from July. They are looking pretty rusted. I know this is surface rust and obviously they still work great, and love the ride, but I am disappointed on how quickly they rusted.
And yes, they went through a long winter with a lot of snow and road salt, but still, do you think they should be so rusted after just one winter?

 

[Dr. Gonzo]

I don't think that's normal. I have had mine on for a couple years, no rust. But they are also not exposed to salt.

 

[BCfish]

Salt in the air or on the road will ensure everything rusts quickly I find I wash my billies when I was my wheels have kept them looking nice for almost 2 years. Plus I live on an Island surrounded by the ocean.

 

[wadle5]

Yes, I agree. It comes with how well you maintain them. Specifically during the winter months, I wash my car at least once a week to rid of the road grime/salt/etc.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

gotta wash your junk man! in the south we deal with the same stuff with saltwater and boat ramps

 

[tony_4r]

I wash that one often:naughty:
As for the billies I guess they will continue to rust. As much as I love my truck I am not into washing it continuously. During the winter it is messy, cold and not fun to do in a weekly basis. I just thought they would have lasted more than 6 months before rusting.

 

[ebg18t]

Call bilsteins and see what they say.

 

[JustSomeName]

I installed the rear 5100 Bilstein's in December and look at this picture from July. They are looking pretty rusted. I know this is surface rust and obviously they still work great, and love the ride, but I am disappointed on how quickly they rusted.
And yes, they went through a long winter with a lot of snow and road salt, but still, do you think they should be so rusted after just one winter?

I've got the same problem! Have had them on for a little less than a year and my driver side is terribly rusted while the other side is completely fine.

I guess it really is how you maintain them, I live in sunny California so no salt on the roads, I think all those times going mudding and not washing the car definitely added to the rust buildup on the shocks.

You live and you learn...

 

[wnelax04sr5]

buy some never wet!

 

[2021ORP]

I've got the same problem! Have had them on for a little less than a year and my driver side is terribly rusted while the other side is completely fine.

I guess it really is how you maintain them, I live in sunny California so no salt on the roads, I think all those times going mudding and not washing the car definitely added to the rust buildup on the shocks.

You live and you learn...

I have the same issue. Only on 1 year, only 1500 miles. My car sits in a garage and I was stunned to see the condition of them. My 4R has never been off-roading (sad) and the total mileage on the car is only 2900 miles. It sits in the garage in SoCal. Very disappointed.

 

[rdruss]

Before I install new shocks I wipe them down with alcohol and give them a good shot of clear coat. In the spring I pull the wheels after I've given undercarriage a good blow off at car wash and a good drive in the rain and wipe all suspension down with a wet terry cloth to remove the road grime and then apply some car wax to shocks, springs and LCA/UCA (both of these painted/clear coated). I have 4600 Bils and of course they are painted which is more resistant too. Going to remove my rears as I see the area just beneath the upper bushings looks rusted. Will clean it good, sand it, polish or paint it, clear coat and see how it holds. I don't like rusted stuff either, but winter is tough on it! It takes some work to stay on top of rust.