Strut/shock boots?

[Drew99GT]

This is kinda of a dumb question, because the awnser seems obvious to me. I just had new struts put on my car all the way around. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!!!! The left rear strut was totally blown, and the rubber boot was ripped in half. I mentioned that to my Technician, got the car back, and figured he would have put a new boot on the new strut. NOPE, he re-used the stock one, but it leaves have the strut open to water spray and dirt/road crud. The question of the day: will it negatively affect the long term durability of the strut? I don't want to take it back and complain about such a little detail, because then he'll have to break the whole assembly down again just to slip a new boot on.

Many performance coil-over systems don't use boots. **** , a lot of high performance truck shocks don't use them as well.

 

[uconn1150]

What application is it? Depending on the car, it is hard to get the boots. Sometimes it's just best to "patch" them. But really, it depends on the application and whether they are fronts/rears.

 

[Drew99GT]

The vehicle in question is a 94 Corolla, and it is the left rear strut.

 

[uconn1150]

How much of the strut shaft is clearly exposed?

 

[tom slick]

i know that in the 4x4 world shock boots are a not beneficial. stuff gets into them and can't get out causing even more damage. i think you are fine without them

 

[Drew99GT]

quote:

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Originally posted by uconn1150:
How much of the strut shaft is clearly exposed?

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Probably about 1 to 1.5 inches.

 

[uconn1150]

zip tie some bicycle inner tube to make up the missing stuff...

it probably isn't that bad of a deal unless you drive on dirt roads alot...