Rusty ST Coilovers

[fR3ZNO]

Picked up a set of STs last summer and they've only been exposed to one season of salty roads AKA winter. The bodies are galvanized, I thought that would help prevent rust to a certain degree.

If I understand correctly, when something is galvanized, the metal that is used for the galvanizing is what's supposed to rust instead of the original material ie zinc coating on steel corrodes instead of the actual steel.

For those of you that have STs or other coilovers with galvanized bodies, do you think this is normal? Already tried scrubbing some of it off with WD40 and a wire brush.

[redline380]

You need to find a bench top wire wheel to clean up the threads.

[GrapeBandit]

yes that is normal. im sure you heard the saying "you get what you pay for"

[qo0v]

I generously applied some anti seize to all the threads when I installed mine, and usually whenever I have a wheel off I clean it off and throw some more anti seize on again. Only takes a couple of minutes but it seems to be helping with the northeast winters

[cam]

I generously applied some anti seize to all the threads when I installed mine, and usually whenever I have a wheel off I clean it off and throw some more anti seize on again. Only takes a couple of minutes but it seems to be helping with the northeast winters

this should be done with any set of coilovers you purchase and install.

[Seerlah]

I haven't touched my coilovers in a couple years because I really don't even want to deal with it. With North East weather, your coilovers will seize eventually unless you treat them like annually. I plan on picking up the Vogtland GT units eventually, so I don't really care. I have the original ST before they redesigned them. Try this stuff.

http://boeshield.com/

[GrapeBandit]

ive heard this is some good stuff. I will be going with the chain saver when I install my C/O's
http://www2.dupont.com/Consumer_Lubr...ain_saver.html
http://www2.dupont.com/Consumer_Lubr...of_grease.html

[walky_talky20]

My ST threads are getting rusty. 2 winters I believe. It seems I should have been more religious about cleaning and protecting the threads.

I'll be cleaning them up this summer. I've considered doing this:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...r-Wraps-Covers

Hopefully my mommy will help me with the sewing bit.

[fR3ZNO]

I generously applied some anti seize to all the threads when I installed mine, and usually whenever I have a wheel off I clean it off and throw some more anti seize on again. Only takes a couple of minutes but it seems to be helping with the northeast winters

Before I installed them, I put anti seize on all the threads. Haven't adjusted them since. When I was wire brushing them, there wasn't any rust in the threads, just the leftover dirt and anti seize.

It's just the bodies that are really nasty and rusty.

I haven't touched my coilovers in a couple years because I really don't even want to deal with it. With North East weather, your coilovers will seize eventually unless you treat them like annually. I plan on picking up the Vogtland GT units eventually, so I don't really care. I have the original ST before they redesigned them. Try this stuff.

http://boeshield.com/

Yeah, that's why I use anti seize on just about everything. The salt really takes it's toll. Do you know if that stuff is sold at brick and mortar stores?

ive heard
this is some good stuff. I will be going with the chain saver when I install my C/O's
http://www2.dupont.com/Consumer_Lubr...ain_saver.html
http://www2.dupont.com/Consumer_Lubr...of_grease.html

That looks similar to the stuff that Seerlah posted. Guess I'll need to pick up some stuff like that that will repel water and dirt.

My ST threads are getting rusty. 2 winters I believe. It seems I should have been more religious about cleaning and protecting the threads.

I'll be cleaning them up this summer. I've considered doing this:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...r-Wraps-Covers

Hopefully my mommy will help me with the sewing bit.

That looks like a good idea. I remember reading that a lot of guys on stance works use bike inner tubes to slip over their C/O in a similar fashion. Ditto on the sewing part. Haha.

I've been thinking if I remove my C/Os to clean them up, to try soaking them in some coca cola over night.

[GrapeBandit]

you can also paint or powder them

[Seerlah]

Yeah, that's why I use anti seize on just about everything. The salt really takes it's toll. Do you know if that stuff is sold at brick and mortar stores?

Ordered mine online. Internet is more times than less cheaper than any local store. I order a majority of the things I have online. which reminds me, need to source a replacement Timberland jacket that I have no idea disappeared to. Was my favorite jacket.

[fR3ZNO]

Ordered mine online. Internet is more times than less cheaper than any local store. I order a majority of the things I have online. which reminds me, need to source a replacement Timberland jacket that I have no idea disappeared to. Was my favorite jacket.

That's very true. Sometimes it's just more convenient to pick something up from a store.

Don't you love when stuff just disappears?

[GrapeBandit]

That's very true. Sometimes it's just more convenient to pick something up from a store.

Don't you love when stuff just disappears?

sears and west marine sell it. Those places arent usually too far from home..

[fR3ZNO]

sears and west marine sell it. Those places arent usually too far from home..

I'll have to check that out.

[gmudan]

What's the 5 year warranty for on ST's? I thought it was for rust

[GrapeBandit]

What's the 5 year warranty for on ST's? I thought it was for rust

most likely only for the shocks and springs(sagging or cracked).

spend the extra and get KW, lifetime warranty. they already replaced a set of V2's that I had since 2000.

[gmudan]

most likely only for the shocks and springs(sagging or cracked).

spend the extra and get KW, lifetime warranty. they already replaced a set of V2's that I had since 2000.

Thanks. I already have a set of ST's and after one winter they still look new. I think I'll be going bags next though

[NeedingAnAudi]

Huh my ST's spun freely after 2 Chicago winters. Too bad they rode like shit

[walky_talky20]

^I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks they don't ride that great. Handling is quite good, but everyday ride quality is annoying. The term hay-wagon comes to mind.

[AKO]

^I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks they don't ride that great. Handling is quite good, but everyday ride quality is annoying. The term hay-wagon comes to mind.

Can you elaborate on that?

[walky_talky20]

Erm. A little stiff, I guess. I mean...I like it hard and all, but when it gets rough, sometimes it's a little too much for me and I have to slow down.

[AKO]

Erm. A little stiff, I guess. I mean...I like it hard and all, but when it gets rough, sometimes it's a little too much for me and I have to slow down.

Lol sounds like you're describing something else. Thats wierd everyone says they're too soft and the B7 guys tend to upgrade to stiffer springs

[SHR]

ST is owned by KW, ST and KW use the same design spec however ST is galvanized and KW is stainless steel hence the significant price difference, galvanized undercarriage parts will rust regardless of any surface coating you apply if subjected to road salt for extended duration, all of the higher end, extended warranty products use stainless steel. I tried ST's as well thinking the coating would minimize rusting but it didn't, I liberally applied Boeshield T-9 and the ST's were rusted during the first winter. I removed them, sent them back under warranty claim, sold them and replaced with a stainless steel product which look fantastic after 2 northeast winters. Regarding the OP's ride quality comments, I also disliked the ride quality of the ST's and would've removed them regardless of the rust.

[fR3ZNO]

I haven't tried adjusting the perches yet, but the threads aren't rusted it's mainly the shock bodies.

ST is owned by KW, ST and KW use the same design spec however ST is galvanized and KW is stainless steel hence the significant price difference, galvanized undercarriage parts will rust regardless of any surface coating you apply if subjected to road salt for extended duration, all of the higher end, extended warranty products use stainless steel. I tried ST's as well thinking the coating would minimize rusting but it didn't, I liberally applied Boeshield T-9 and the ST's were rusted during the first winter. I removed them, sent them back under warranty claim, sold them and replaced with a stainless steel product which look fantastic after 2 northeast winters. Regarding the OP's ride quality comments, I also disliked the ride quality of the ST's and would've removed them regardless of the rust.

I didn't know going with galvanized over stainless would have made such a difference in terms of rust protection. I didn't mention anything about ride in my OP, but I have to agree the ride is pretty crappy compared to my buddy's Konis.

So you didn't see any difference when you applied the Boeshield?

With the warranty claim, you were able to send them back for a full refund because of the rust or did they get replaced, and then you sold them for a different set of
C/Os?

[SHR]

[QUOTE=fR3ZNO;9678471]I haven't tried adjusting the perches yet, but the threads aren't rusted it's mainly the shock bodies.



"I didn't know going with galvanized over stainless would have made such a difference in terms of rust protection."

Stainless is much less prone to rust than galvanized. The distributor warned me but I thought I'd try anyway, they were right, the galvanized rusted significantly in one winter.

"I didn't mention anything about ride in my OP, but I have to agree the ride is pretty crappy compared to my buddy's Konis."

I wasn't referring to your post, I was referring to other post's regarding poor ride quality.

"So you didn't see any difference when you applied the Boeshield?"

None whatsoever.

"With the warranty claim, you were able to send them back for a full refund because of the rust or did they get replaced, and then you sold them for a different set of C/Os?"

I hated the ride so much I pulled them out to replace with a Bilstein Eibach B12 kit. Once I had them off the car it was clear that in addition to them being badly rusted they were completely shot and had no damping left in them, I decided to send them back to ST/KW and they agreed they were bad and replaced them free of charge. I sold the new replacements for a couple of hundred dollars simply to minimize my loss. I am very happy with the B12 kit, I miss the height adjustment but not enough to go back to CO's.

[GrapeBandit]

maybe when someone gets a new set of galvanized C/O's the first thing they should do is powdercoat them. im sure that will deter the rust. how about a cheap fix, plasti dip them when new. sure that would work too

[fR3ZNO]

Stainless is much less prone to rust than galvanized. The distributor warned me but I thought I'd try anyway, they were right, the galvanized rusted significantly in one winter.

I hated the ride so much I pulled them out to replace with a Bilstein Eibach B12 kit. Once I had them off the car it was clear that in addition to them being badly rusted they were completely shot and had no damping left in them, I decided to send them back to ST/KW and they agreed they were bad and replaced them free of charge. I sold the new replacements for a couple of hundred dollars simply to minimize my loss. I am very happy with the B12 kit, I miss the height adjustment but not enough to go back to CO's.

I wish I had known salt would be so harsh on a galvanized object like this. Oh well.

I guess I'll give the T-9 a try after cleaning up the surface rust.

I would love to pick up a different set of C/O's but I don't think I'll be keeping this car much longer and don't want to dump more money into it so I'll probably just suck it up.

I got my STs for super cheap anyway. Bought them during the rebate offer they had last summer for $100 plus the store I bought them from had a 5% off discount. Also, for some reason, I got two rebate checks in the mail. So instead of paying $764.99 ended up getting them for ~$525. KW probably still made a profit though.

[fR3ZNO]

maybe when someone gets a new set of galvanized C/O's the first thing they should do is powdercoat them. im sure that will deter the rust. how about a cheap fix, plasti dip them when new. sure that would work too

Wouldn't the high temp of baking the powder coat damage the piston seals?

I have seriously considering putting some rust treatment paint on them instead of using the T-9.

[NeedingAnAudi]

^I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks they don't ride that great. Handling is quite good, but everyday ride quality is annoying. The term hay-wagon comes to mind.

I used to just bounce into the ground down the highway for miles and miles. Granted I was fairly low but it was unbelievably bouncy. I'm now an inch and half lower than on ST's with h&r ultra lows and the ride is exponentially smoother.

Also my h&rs have had no rusting this past winter, yeay stainless

[GrapeBandit]

Wouldn't the high temp of baking the powder coat damage the piston seals?.

im not sure. probably all the ones i saw done were taken apart, powdered, than rebuilt. idk

[AKO]

Dang just got my set in and you guys are making me question putting them in.

[fR3ZNO]

Just make your car a garage queen during the winter and you'll be fine. ;)

[SHR]

Dang just got my set in and you guys are making me question putting them in.

I wish someone stopped me from putting them on my car so I'm giving you my opinion. All they did for me was make me really proficient with swapping out my suspension. Suspensions are a personal preference thing, the ST C/O's weren't for me.


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[crazexr7]

I've had mine on for over 2 winters, and do not have rust nearly that bad. The threads are a bit dirty, but I usually power wash them every spring and use a brush on them. In the winter I use some antiseize.

I don't think that rust is normal. I also don't think that much dirt inside your wheel well and coils is neither.

[GrapeBandit]

ill leave this eye candy here

http://s617.photobucket.com/user/m1r...ary/RUSTY%20KW

[SHR]

I stand corrected, looks like KW stainless steel rusts as bad as their ST brand galvanized, glad I have Bilstein and Eibach.

[AKO]

Just make your car a garage queen during the winter and you'll be fine. ;)

I dondon't believe we use salt up here in Washington! However I'm sure salt isn't the only thing that will cause them to rust.

I wish someone stopped me from putting them on my car so I'm giving you my opinion. All they did for me was make me really proficient with swapping out my suspension. Suspensions are a personal preference thing, the ST C/O's weren't for me.


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Thanks for chiming in. What would you say made you realize they weren't for you?



Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

[GrapeBandit]

I stand corrected, looks like KW stainless steel rusts as bad as their ST brand galvanized, glad I have Bilstein and Eibach.

these werent inox stainless. these were the first generation galvanized V2's. purchased them in 2000. KW sent me a brand new inox set last year due to the warranty.

[SHR]

[QUOTE=AKOeuro;9680367]I dondon't believe we use salt up here in Washington! However I'm sure salt isn't the only thing that will cause them to rust.

Thanks for chiming in. What would you say made you realize they weren't for you?

Here's the list of what I didn't like about the ST's:
- They never stopped making noise, they popped and clunked intermittently the short time I had them on the car, I tried reseating the springs in the perches, spoke with KW/ST many times and while they tried to be helpful nothing helped. I paid the dealer to look at them and they couldn't get rid of the noise. It would go away for a while and come back. The fronts didn't seem as bad as the rears.
- The rears never stopped sagging. I had the drivers side perch spun to the highest setting and couldn't get the fender lip above the top edge of the tire. I had to remove the spacers to get the tires far enough under the car to minimize rubbing because I ran out of adjustment threads according to KW/ST.
- I watched them rust before my eyes, I was under the car a lot making adjustments.
- Horrible ride quality. They performed well but rode like crap. Harsh without any compliance.
- Once off the car I compressed the shock piston into the shock body by hand and it required little to no effort, I could compress them just by squeezing them together without even using the ground for leverage. I'm not a shock expert but I could never do that with a proper shock.

For the record its worth noting I had the ST's on my B8 S4, I happened upon this thread because I recently purchased a 98 B5 A4 as a project car for me and my son.

My new kit is silent and the ride is superb, I wish I installed it in the first place.

[fR3ZNO]

I've had mine on for over 2 winters, and do not have rust nearly that bad. The threads are a bit dirty, but I usually power wash them every spring and use a brush on them. In the winter I use some antiseize.

I don't think that rust is normal. I also don't think that much dirt inside your wheel well and coils is neither.

I've been meaning to power wash the wheel wells and whatnot this spring. The town I live in uses a sand mixture instead of salt during the winter. That would explain the excess amount of dirt everywhere.

I dondon't believe we use salt up here in Washington! However I'm sure salt isn't the only thing that will cause them to rust.

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Yeah definitely. The salt just accelerates the rust. That's why cars in places like Texas last so damn long, because of a lack of moisture and salt.

As for what SHR said, I don't have those problems... Yet. I have the redesigned models, the ones you have may have been the first gens.