[anestech*]

I noticed that a tun of caked in mud tends to be held in by shock boots (ie rubber ones, not the OME or Bilstein style ones) so I stopped running them on my jeep. I noticed that the mud tended to lead to rust around the top of the shock body.

Do you guys run rubber boots, or not? I'm probably gonna cut the ones off of my shiny new 5125s before i put them on. Just curious to see what you guys think.

 

[tenntaco]

No shock boots.

 

[Toyo4x4]

No shock boots.

Yep, took mine off a couple of weeks ago, they just tend to trap dirt and gunk.

 

[zszac111]

i dont use them, theres no best soution i guess, since with them off the shaft can become pitted from rocks and stuff hitting them, and with them on they keep mud and dirt in them.

 

[anestech*]

i dont use them, theres no best soution i guess, since with them off the shaft can become pitted from rocks and stuff hitting them, and with them on they keep mud and dirt in them.

Exactly my dilema. Thats why the OME and stock Bilstein setup is the best of both worlds, except for the occasional clunks.

 

[Mike]

I noticed that a tun of caked in mud tends to be held in by shock boots (ie rubber ones, not the OME or Bilstein style ones) so I stopped running them on my jeep. I noticed that the mud tended to lead to rust around the top of the shock body.

Do you guys run rubber boots, or not? I'm probably gonna cut the ones off of my shiny new 5125s before i put them on. Just curious to see what you guys think.

No boots for me. The boots Rancho gives you for the 9012 shocks aren't long enough to cover when the shock is fully extended anyway.

Later,
....Mike

 

[anestech*]

I actually thing that I'm gonna leave them on. I was informed by a friend that works for a 4x4 shop that Bilstein won't warranty them if the boots have been removed...

 

[Wgasa84]

uh... the higher end shocks don't even come with boots... i think you should check with bilstein first.

 

[Valkyrie]

skip 'em..

 

[anestech*]

uh... the higher end shocks don't even come with boots... i think you should check with bilstein first.

EDIT: They only offer the lifetime warranty on 5100 or below shocks, the 5150s and above only have a 90 day warranty. It also mentions that they only warranty them if used in the proper application. Well, the 5125s for our trucks are a generic length and valved shock, not SPECIFIC to the Tacoma...

I checked their warranty info on the website, and there is no mention about it. Just that everything needs to be returned with the shock.

http://www.bilstein.com/html/warranty/index.htm

I'm gonna email them to find out for sure. I'll let you guys know what they say.

 

[anestech*]

Here is their reply:

The warranty for those shocks is only a limited 90 day only. Yes it would void the warranty if you would remove the boots. I would leave the boot on so it can protect the shaft from dirt, rocks, ect....

Best regards,

Raul Medina
Warranty Specialist/Tech Department Order Entry Clerk.
ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America
14102 Stowe Drive.
Poway, CA 92064
Phone # (858)386-5900 ext 5951
E-mail Address ( [email protected] )
Website Address ( www.bilstein.com )

So, I'm gonna leave them on, at least for 90 days.