Just Installed Bilstein Shocks
You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 2
From: Huntersville, NC
I believe that the Bilstein 5100 series shocks are "Zinc" coated, not stainless steel.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
I would be interested in seeing how those zinc coatings hold up over time. If its just a coating I suspect it will be blasted off by rocks just like the paint on a standard shock which means the rust wont be far behind.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,326
Likes: 18
From: Gilbert
I had the 5100's on my 2000, they turned terrible looking when I moved from AZ to PA. After about a year or so (winter/rain/etc) here, they were pretty trashed. Some clearcoat or other "element" preventative probably would've helped, but they were already 5 years old at that point (and looked great until I moved here) and I wasn't willing to invest anymore time and effort into them.
You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 2
From: Huntersville, NC
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 812
Likes: 3
From: Mad River Valley
Matt, maybe the zinc process has changed from when you had the 5100's? I just looked at Furian's link there and it talks about their corrosion resistance.
I'm still waiting on my 5100 steering stabilizer. I was going to put a few coats of clear Rustoelum rim paint on it just in case. It doesn't have to look perfect, I just want to protect it so that it doesn't look like crap in a few years.
I'm still waiting on my 5100 steering stabilizer. I was going to put a few coats of clear Rustoelum rim paint on it just in case. It doesn't have to look perfect, I just want to protect it so that it doesn't look like crap in a few years.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,859
Likes: 55
From: Middleville, MI
if I'm not mistaken bilstein has gone to a clear coat over the zinc coating in the last few years. The nice BDS gas shocks are that way too.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,326
Likes: 18
From: Gilbert
I checked it out too, hopefully they have improved the process. I guess time will tell! I thought about pulling the 7100 back out for some clearcoat but have some other projects ahead of that.
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