Shock Boots Yes/No...?

[00falcon]

Hi Guys,

Ive been eying up Rancho Adjustable shocks for a little now.
But as a failed a WOF for a leaking shock, i pulled the trigger sooner then expected.

But for the life of me... i cant figure out how to get the boot on...

So i consulted Google.
I didn't find any info about getting the boots on...

but i did find a raft of posts all over the show saying to leave the boots off.
Their reasoning, they hold dirt & moisture... (otherwise know as mud)

In my head, i would assume they are better left on, well secured, to the dirt & moisture out..

So...

1) Any ideas how i get the boots on...?
The cross bar it pretty tight and i assume it shouldn't come out

2) Do you recommend installing with or without the boots...? and why...

[imsohi]

I say with boots off don't get me wrong they are good when they keep the dust/dirt out but if they split and get mud in them they could push it into the seal, its your option and people may not agree with me.

[luckyme]

IMO you can get the crossbar out then press it back in. my bilstein shocks came with crossbar in the box and had to be pressed in. couple of them had to be taken out then put back again. that was back last year and no issues whatsoever so far, just grease it up mad before pressing out/in

[lax2wlg]

On my Rancho 5000s:
Slip it over, notched end first, its very flexible material and can be manipulated easily.

The notched end fits over the shock absorber body and is secured with the cable tie they provide. The moulded end seats on the lip just below the T-piece.

EDIT: 5000s dont have that T-piece, but that thermoplastic material is STRETCHY

[00falcon]

Guys,

it wasn't really that hard...

I softened them up in boiling water, and they just popped right on...
and by popped right on, it was tight... and i left a bit of skin with them... but hey...

They do stretch...
Thanks lax2wlg

[shortylux]

I'm a little late but.
There is nothing wrong with taking the "T" out. It's just an adaptor of sorts. In another apkication for those shocks it wouldn't be there and a bolt would go through.

More relevant, if they are rears I would try to leave the boots on, as the front wheels tend to throw stones at rear shocks, which chips the chrome, which ruins the seals. I had no issues running my fronts bootless.

Hope that helps.