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Ford Performance Bilstein Problem

Old May 10, 2025 | 09:38 AM
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Default Ford Performance Bilstein Problem

Wanted to share my experience with anyone on the fence about the ford performance bilstein leveling kit. First off I will say the ride is phenomenal. It is probably the best ride I’ve had on lifted or leveled truck ever! With that said, I’ve only had the kit on for 30 days and the powder coating is already flaking off with rust underneath. I reached out to the dealer that I purchased through, and they got me in touch with a ford performance warranty rep (they also said the shock would be replaced under warranty). After sending my receipts and photos to ford performance, I was told that it was not a material defect and that corrosion is not covered under the 3yr/36,000 mile warranty.

Just a heads up to anyone on the fence about these, it’s a lot of money to spend on a kit with a “warranty” but the coating is junk and already flaking off after a month. Figured I would share!



Last edited by TheOxFx; May 10, 2025 at 09:40 AM.
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Old May 10, 2025 | 10:20 AM
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That is annoying for sure. Does that kit include all 4 shocks?
Your truck looks great by the way!
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Old May 10, 2025 | 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by TheOxFx
Wanted to share my experience with anyone on the fence about the ford performance bilstein leveling kit. First off I will say the ride is phenomenal. It is probably the best ride I’ve had on lifted or leveled truck ever!

Just a heads up to anyone on the fence about these, it’s a lot of money to spend on a kit with a “warranty” but the coating is junk and already flaking off after a month. Figured I would share!
how many leveled trucks have you driven or ridden in??
how much money is too much?
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Old May 10, 2025 | 01:12 PM
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I heard reports of the finish wearing on them. Before I installed mine, I put 3 coats of clear coat on them.
2 years now and they still look brand new after a wash.
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Old May 11, 2025 | 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by DogDoc
That is annoying for sure. Does that kit include all 4 shocks?
Your truck looks great by the way!
Yes it fully assembled front struts and rear shocks included. It also comes with all new hardware for everything which is a nice touch. I have no complaints about the kit other than the finish. I know it’s just cosmetic just annoying on a brand new kit
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Old May 11, 2025 | 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted by TheOxFx
Wanted to share my experience with anyone on the fence about the ford performance bilstein leveling kit. First off I will say the ride is phenomenal. It is probably the best ride I’ve had on lifted or leveled truck ever! With that said, I’ve only had the kit on for 30 days and the powder coating is already flaking off with rust underneath. I reached out to the dealer that I purchased through, and they got me in touch with a ford performance warranty rep (they also said the shock would be replaced under warranty). After sending my receipts and photos to ford performance, I was told that it was not a material defect and that corrosion is not covered under the 3yr/36,000 mile warranty.

Just a heads up to anyone on the fence about these, it’s a lot of money to spend on a kit with a “warranty” but the coating is junk and already flaking off after a month. Figured I would share!

Bilsteins are known to do that. It's just a zinc coating over the steel if I'm not mistaken. One of the reasons why I went with Fox 2.0s.
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Old May 11, 2025 | 07:26 PM
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Getting mine installed tomorrow, glad to hear about the ride. The finish, I'm not concerned, it's going to be coated in mud and salt everything rusts in Minnesota no matter how good the paint is. You should see my exhaust and rear axle and anything else iron after two winters. We just run em up here, give them a wash when it warms up. fact of life up here.
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Old May 30, 2025 | 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by TheOxFx
Wanted to share my experience with anyone on the fence about the ford performance bilstein leveling kit. First off I will say the ride is phenomenal. It is probably the best ride I’ve had on lifted or leveled truck ever! With that said, I’ve only had the kit on for 30 days and the powder coating is already flaking off with rust underneath. I reached out to the dealer that I purchased through, and they got me in touch with a ford performance warranty rep (they also said the shock would be replaced under warranty). After sending my receipts and photos to ford performance, I was told that it was not a material defect and that corrosion is not covered under the 3yr/36,000 mile warranty.

Just a heads up to anyone on the fence about these, it’s a lot of money to spend on a kit with a “warranty” but the coating is junk and already flaking off after a month. Figured I would share!

Mine are doing the same exact thing in the same spot. Shocks have only 1,402 miles on them. They do ride great, but the way they are already rusting on a garage kept truck is total BS! This will lead to more rust and begin spreading to other suspension components. Even before I purchased, Stage3 Q&A states they are aluminum body. I even asked their sales rep and they confirmed they were Aluminum bodies. At the time I purchased, I couldn't find anywhere, even on Fords site what the bodies were made of. Well, sadly, now we know they are obviously STEEL and RUST! Emailed Stage3, waiting to hear back.





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Old May 30, 2025 | 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by eLeet
Ford's listing clearly states "Each shock features a unique "Tuned by Ford Performance" decal placed over steel damper". I'm not sure how stage3 missed that, but their answer is clearly incorrect.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-18000-F15BA
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Old Jun 1, 2025 | 09:54 AM
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A good example of why I've had exactly one set of Bistiens. They do perform decently, but if you care how things look as well, stay away Bilstein
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