I screwed up! I installed my Fabtech 3.5" spindle lift, which came with 4 Fabtech performance shocks. Problem is they came without boots. I forgot about it and now I have them all installed without boots. Do I need them? I don't really do much off-roading, except medians . Will this damage something? I really don't want to take off those shocks now.

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2000 Black F-150 XL,Super Cab, 4.2L, 5 Spd, 3.55, Flowmaster Delta 40, K&N Air, Tints, BugShield, Ventshades, Dual Chrome 3" tips, Hella 500's, Hella Optilux Superwhite Headlights, Fabtech 3.5" spindle lift, 2" Rear Lift, Fabtech Performance Shocks all around

 

The shock boot just protects the shock from getting dirty. When the rod gets dirty the dirt will grind away at the rubber seal on the top of the shock. Driving without the boot will shorten teh life of the shock, however they will still last 2 or 3 years. I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

-Jon

 

Thanks, I'll try not to!

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2000 Black F-150 XL,Super Cab, 4.2L, 5 Spd, 3.55, Flowmaster Delta 40, K&N Air, Tints, BugShield, Ventshades, Dual Chrome 3" tips, Hella 500's, Hella Optilux Superwhite Headlights, Fabtech 3.5" spindle lift, 2" Rear Lift, Fabtech Performance Shocks all around

 

Actually the boot is just cosmetics. It will trap dirt, mud and small pebbles in them. This will cause the stock seal to die faster than without a boot.

http://performanceunlimited.com/illu...ancho9000.html


Many off road racers run the shocks body side up (with the exposed shaft side down), and install the boot with the bottom cut off, to act sort of like a 'dangling skirt'. This allows any and all debris to fall off the shaft during usage, and yet still protects the exposed surfaces from flying rocks, etc. However, this looks kind of 'trashy' on a street truck, giving an unfinished appearance. Therefore, removing the boot completely would be the better bet to keep the shaft clean and allow easy periodical visual inspection. The so called 'dust boots' are just that, for keeping only dust out, so if that's the only terrain encountered, then that's what they'd be used for. So why do shocks even come with these 'evil' boots? A lot of shock buyers like them for their looks. simple.

 

I totally agree with Matt90GT,
If you ever notice when Peterson's 4Wheel Magazine builds up a truck, they never put the boots on the shocks, because they say that the boot traps in more dirt, dust, and debris, than it would actually keep out.

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Black 1997 F-150 Extended Cab
4x4 w/Off-Road Package
5.4 liter Triton V8
Luverne Stainless Steel Nerf Bars
DeeZee Silver Series Toolbox
Grizzly Oval Style Chrome Grill/Brush Guard
Wrap around bug shield
Ventshade Ventvisors
Ford Factory Bedliner
Pioneer Deh-P6000 45 Watt CD Stereo
3" Trailmaster Body Lift
Smittybilt Outland Tail Light guards.
16x10 American Racing Polished Atlas Wheels
4 315/75R16 BF Goodrich All-Terrain TA/KO Tires on all four corners.
Flowmaster 50 Muffler w/Dual Pipes & 2 18" Stainless Tips
MTX 2 Channel Amp w/Crossover
2 MTX 10" Subwoofers w/Box
Next Up: 4" Rancho Suspension Lift

 

Thanks for the reply everyone. I feel much better now.

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2000 Black F-150 XL,Super Cab, 4.2L, 5 Spd, 3.55, Flowmaster Delta 40, K&N Air, Tints, BugShield, Ventshades, Dual Chrome 3" tips, Hella 500's, Hella Optilux Superwhite Headlights, Fabtech 3.5" spindle lift, 2" Rear Lift, Fabtech Performance Shocks all around

 

I like rocks and grit all over my shafts. Just ride a dirt bike with and without boots for awhile and see which fork seal fails quicker.Some good advice here! While you're at it remove the air filter because it restricts air flow with all that dirty air!

 

that is a real good comparison. Ever read your owners manual for that bike? You see the tear down schedule, every 2 rides for 2 strokes to rebuild the top end. Suspension in 5.

Also it is a LOT easier to lift up the boots on a mx bike to clean the shafts than a F150.

Also if you install the forks right, there is a wiper that goes on above the seal to wipe all the dirt and grime off the shaft.

 

Matt90GT: You hit the nail on the head with the word easy. If you want to play you got to pay. I have been riding for 12 years, 5 of that very hard. You got to keep it clean. Boots add protection and are common sense. No need to bad mouth them just because some are too lazy to do the work. Not bashing anyone but come on. Just like changing oil, air filters lubing, rotating tires and so on......