Pics of my rusty bilstein's after one winter

[CIverson]

Only one winter on these and they look horrible. These are only the rear shocks, haven't taken the fronts out to check on them yet, but they look pretty bad through the coil.



The closeup of the eylet is the one w/ the bushing rusted tight, no movement in that bushing.



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[JohnArnold]

Whatever you replace with, try clearcoating them with some engine clearcoat, and occasionally squirt with some lightweight lubricating oil.



Are you driving a salt truck or something?



-John

 

[CIverson]

Whatever you replace with, try clearcoating them with some engine clearcoat, and occasionally squirt with some lightweight lubricating oil.



Are you driving a salt truck or something?



-John

No salt truck, just driving on michigan roads.



I've already cleaned them up. The bushings probably need replacing, but no time for that right now. I used some rust prep. Wire brushed them good. Sanded lightly w/ 220 and then a quick going over with red scotchbrite. Also, went into the joints w/ a wire brush on the dremel.



Now they are all cleaned and ready to be coated with zero rust, then crystal coat over that.



BTW: I did spray one of my front shocks w/ clear coat before I ever installed it. It is still rusty, although not quite as bad as the others.

 

[stacerbob]

You need to move.

 

[Regcabguy]

Lousy coating from Bilstein for what they charge,despite Michigan weather.

 

[Glen Pratt]

Spray them down with some Corrosion-X. Available at marine stores.
http://www.corrosionx.com/marine.html . Good stuff.

 

[RDusch]

Mine are doing the same thing here in southern Va. not quit that bad but on there way, no snow, no salt, just crappy shocks.



Rick

 

[MSalvatore]

i had the same 7100 series o my comp jeep and A)got sick of the rust and B) this is great, we broke an eyelet off the bottomno idea how the threads stripped out as there are only like 5 threads holding them on and sent them to bilstein to be fixed they said waranty is void because we used them off road. These shocks are in the off road section of the catalog. So I no longer purchase there products and have gone to BBCS and sway away/ fox

 

[TCluff]

Only one winter on these and they look horrible. These are only the rear shocks, haven't taken the fronts out to check on them yet, but they look pretty bad through the coil.



The closeup of the eylet is the one w/ the bushing rusted tight, no movement in that bushing.



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WHO ADDED THE BLUE ONE WIRE HYDRAULIC LINE TO THE RES,?, ARE ALL BILSTEINS LIKE THAT, THEY SHOULD HAVE A BRAIDED LINE, THAT ONE WIRE HOSE ISNT RATED FOR MUCH PRESSURE>>>>>>>>>>> :--)

 

[stacerbob]

What kind of coating are on those? I always thought they were stainless? Mine are the yellow ones, they look new still after a year.

 

[MSalvatore]

yes the 7100 series uses the blue HP lines. SS is more money and takes longer to get. I think they are clear coated(crappy quality)

 

[CIverson]

Yup, those are the hoses the shocks came with. I guess some of the other bilsteins have a diff. coating, but the coating on the 7100's is crap.



I need to get some new eylet joints as one of the shocks is making a clunking noise (has been for awhile). I freed up the one with some CLP and got some antisieze in there to keep it lubed up for awhile.



Here is a pic after I painted the shocks. We will see how the zerorust paint holds up, it is supposed to be tested to over 2,000+ hours in a salt spray.



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[DKlimas]

CIverson,



I guess I got of a bit easier than you did - it still sucks! I also painted the rear set but have yet to get to the front - not an easy job...



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124928



Cheers, Dave

 

[CIverson]

CIverson,



I guess I got of a bit easier than you did - it still sucks! I also painted the rear set but have yet to get to the front - not an easy job...



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124928



Cheers, Dave

Well, after reading your thread I don't feel so bad. It seems all to common.



Hopefully I will get to the front's soon.

 

[jrobinson2]

WHO ADDED THE BLUE ONE WIRE HYDRAULIC LINE TO THE RES,?, ARE ALL BILSTEINS LIKE THAT, THEY SHOULD HAVE A BRAIDED LINE, THAT ONE WIRE HOSE ISNT RATED FOR MUCH PRESSURE>>>>>>>>>>> :--)

Assuming that hose is 1 wire 194 AQP in #6, (Thats what mine is) It is rated at 3000 psi with a min burst pressure of 9000 psi sounds to me like lots of overkill for a 250 psi system

 

[TCluff]

Assuming that hose is 1 wire 194 AQP in #6, (Thats what mine is) It is rated at 3000 psi with a min burst pressure of 9000 psi sounds to me like lots of overkill for a 250 psi system

that 3000 psi is the correct max operating pressure, but the min. burst press is 12000 on the gh194-6, if it were a gh194-4 it would have a 3200 psi max and a min burst of 13000 psi operating temp range is -40deg to 300deg F. , i guess what i meant was i would feel better if it had a gh195-4 or 6 for the two wire holds around 10,000psi more in work and burst press... .

 

[OHale]

Disappointed in those Bilsteins. They should never have rusted that much in one season. I replaced my MOPARs in Petoskey Michigan and they ran several seasons before rusting and had less rust than that. I would get a refund.

 

[CIverson]

Disappointed in those Bilsteins. They should never have rusted that much in one season. I replaced my MOPARs in Petoskey Michigan and they ran several seasons before rusting and had less rust than that. I would get a refund.

No finish warranty, and I think it is only 90 days on the shocks themselves.

 

[Lorenz]

Just to let you guys know these shocks are 7100 Series Bilstien's that were in the KORE kits. These are not the same 5100 Series Zinc plated Bilstien's that ORW , Geno's, or I sell.





NICKEL PLATED FINISH (9100 / 7100 Series)

9100 and 7100 Series are coated with an electroless nickel finish. This finish must be serviced in order to maintain its luster. Particularly in moist climates, a protective coating, such as wax or lubricating oil, should be applied to prevent tarnishing. This finish is not covered by warranty.



ZINC PLATED FINISH (5100 / 5125 Series)

5100 / 5125 Series feature a zinc plated finish that can be cleaned with Scotch-Brite® or metal polish.

 

[Hohn]

I can vouch for this^^

I have the 5100s and they have no rust at all due to the zinc plating. They're not mirror shiny, they look like machined aluminum...

Granted, WY doesn't have the salt that Michigan does, but we *do* get snow.


jh