Protecting front Coilovers from road salt

Greg D · #1 (**permalink**) 02-26-2007, 05:40 PM

I just received my Sway-a-way front coilovers for my 06' Tundra DC and have a big concern - road salt here in Chicago. I tried searching the forums for suggestions and other than removing them in the winter or smearing them with Green grease, does anyone have any other suggestions to keep the road salt from coroding these things? I called Race Runner and they said road salt WILL corode them and suggested just spraying them down with WD-40. I know that will last about a week.

They look awesome.... Can't wait to get them on.

I am pairing these up with the Camburg UCA's and a 1" differential drop.

Thanks,
Greg

Greg D · #2 (**permalink**) 02-27-2007, 05:20 PM

Well, I'm kind of surprised no one here was able to come up with this, but I found something that I believe will work in protecting the front coil overs from winter road salt:

Dirt Bagz

I'm going to order a set and give them a try.

student's tundra · #3 (**permalink**) 02-27-2007, 11:28 PM

that's what I got

nsaladino · #4 (**permalink**) 02-28-2007, 04:34 AM

Camburg coilovers come with those now.

DevinSixtySeven · #5 (**permalink**) 02-28-2007, 02:39 PM

you would not believe the tenacity of saltwater. bags are a great first line of defense, that and boeshield on the exposed threads and grease under the threads will keep them adjustable.

the corrosion on the exposed threads doesn't really matter, it's electrolytic corrosion between the steel body and aluminum collar that causes so much trouble. keep that full of grease and put a bead of RTV above the adjusting collar to keep saltwater from penetrating down between the threaded interface and ignore the rest.

-sean

cleanb13 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 12:20 PM

I take mine off for the winter. I will try to find something to protect them next winter when I leave them on. Another problem you'll run into is the aftermarket control arms. The uniball joint is unprotected as well and will create problems when sand and salt get between the ball and socket. Keep that in mind also. This is why I don't have aftermaket UCA's on my truck.

drewbush · #7 (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 11:37 PM

I have the dirtbagz also. Only problem with them is, when you secure them tightly and dirt/sand accumulates between the bag and the coil. And will start to rub the paint of the coils like fine sandpaper. Had mine on for a few desert trips and when I got back decided to pressure wash my suspension. At that point I noticed the paint from the coils had rubbed off onto my dirtbagz.

I also sprayed my coilovers with triflo every other week, it didnt help protect them from corrosion. The shafts are pitted and rusting, and also the threaded body is rusting. Not much you can do. Thats why they are named Rust-A-Ways.

Greg D · #8 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 11:56 AM

Makes me wonder if it's really worth putting the aftermarket high $$ parts on if they are just going to rust off. Is this stuff designed for desert use areas only or what??

O.K. now that I vented, I am still looking into this. I am now looking into manufacturers that make rubber boots - industrail and automotive applications. It appears that you can get boots made to just about any size and specification. The only question now is what they cost and if I can find some that are off the shelf.

I am going to find something for this and when I do I'll post it....