Bilstein struts strangely oxidizing

After reading numerous threads and reviews I got Bilstein 5100s all the way around on my 03 Tacoma but, after having them for just 6 months I'm seeing some weird oxidation all up and down the outside housing of the strut. Posting a photo now but this is only 6 months of use in sunny Central California, very little rain no road salt.... Anyone else seeing similar? As you can see the sticker actually protected it.

 

That is what we call ''cheap paint'' and poor surface prep. No adhesion because the surface had something like oil or silicone on the surface and the paint just fall off it.

 

Do you live coastal by the ocean?
Have you been on the beach?
Look at your lower mount, see rust....
Have you done any roadtrips in the snow? Snow skiing, etc....
Just this last past winter....

 

Unfortunatly you have to do all the work... depending on how diplomatic you are when talking with them I would mention and using the best threat/non threat words that you are a participant in a Toyota truck forum where Bilsteins are regarded highly and any negative outcome will buy them $1m worth of bad publicity.

https://bilstein.com/en-us/warranty/

 

I have not been on any salted roads, as I said previously I installed them 6 months ago. The mount does have surface rust, but it is 22 years old.

 

I don't think they had any paint on them. Apparently they are made of machined aluminum, but they simply did not use any surface protection. Had I known I would have chosen something else, or sprayed them with clear coat... Something...

 

I will say that I am happy with the performance of the shocks otherwise, just scared that the warm dry air in my California climate will eat right through the housing! (Hint of sarcasm)

 

Pull them off, run some steel wool over them and spray them with clear coat.

I'm with those that say ocean air. It affects aluminum just as it has your frame.

 

Yep, those nasty lookin
Very strange...

 

Does all four look the same?

 

Contact Bilstein with pics, receipts, etc, see what they say....
Ive been in contact with them just last week, so far they've been informative, pleasure to deal with, great customer service, bla, bla, bla......

My neighbor has 4 5160's on his full-size chevy in So-Cal that are about 2+ years old, they look just as new as the day he got them....

 

do you go to a car wash or use any products for home wash? some of the chems can interact with / etch / oxidize aluminum

 

My BS detect-o-meter is BLARING. Whoop whoop whoop. Someone here is trolling for support that is not deserved.

Come on. Y'all never heard of "witness marks"? That lower shock mount nut hasn't seen a wrench or a socket in years.

There is no way and I mean no way that level of corrosion occurs in six months in sunny California.

 

I agree 100%. I thought this from the get go.

 

BS or not Billstein will need proof of purchase....
So not sure why he would troll....
A bashing post isnt going to cause Bilstein to bend-over & give the farm away,

I see the rust, but you dont always see witness marks...
Ive taken vehicles apart for 32 years, theyre not always there...

I see what youre saying but ide say theres more of a case here in regards to the rust on the threads, So Cal, no snow, etc....
Was just removed 6 months ago...

 

That Bilstein looks like someone drug it behind there truck for six months. Without salt or some kind of caustic chemical I just can’t see it.

 

We've seen that here in praries alberta but never in such a short time.

Also the fact the sticker is still on is odd.

That fastener doesn't look like California either. It looks 10 years old in Michigan.

 

I highly doubt anyone is gonna bully Bilstein by mentioning a forum name, especially over a corroded finish on an old suspension component, on a truck no less.

I'd love to be the guy at Bilstein who receives that email lol

 

heres 5100's that are 20 months old 20k miles , the sticker still looks great compared to the OP's...
bright blue vs very pale blue....

 

They are steel, not aluminum, with a clear zinc coat i.e. basically galvanized steel. The shocks look like galvanized steel with weathering.