PDA

View Full Version : To boot or not to boot?

HeyNels
03-23-2007, 01:26 PM
Generally speaking, it is better to have shock boots or not? I understand the why's and why nots, but want to know what you guys recommend.

Thanks.
goldhammer
03-23-2007, 01:30 PM
Advantage-keeps a lot of grit off the shaft and seal. Disadvantage-traps moisture and possible rust issue on poorly chromed shafts, like we need more rust problems.

Have gone both ways, don't mess with them anymore:thumbsup:
RAMBLINFSJ
03-23-2007, 01:52 PM
Shocks will last long without boots
james1414d
03-23-2007, 02:15 PM
I have neon pink boots on all 26 shocks on my wag...............................just kidding, boots are lame.
j20brett
03-23-2007, 02:37 PM
sorry for the hijack, but you do mount shocks tube down, right?
BRUTUS
03-23-2007, 02:42 PM
sorry for the hijack, but you do mount shocks tube down, right?

X2... what does it matter what the mounted orientation is? Compression is still compression and extension is still extension.
babywag
03-23-2007, 02:44 PM
I've never used boots on any aftermarket shocks.
Never had a problem...
j20brett
03-23-2007, 03:15 PM
X2... what does it matter what the mounted orientation is? Compression is still compression and extension is still extension.

I had always heard it had something to do with valving...
TexTJ209
03-23-2007, 03:29 PM
Certain types of shocks don't work well upside down. I'm thinking Rancho 5000s for one, but dang if I can't remember the specific reason.
DieselSJ
03-23-2007, 04:01 PM
I had always heard it had something to do with valving...

No. It is sprung vs unsprung weight. We run the shocks on the racer inverted because of this reason - we are trying to keep the unsprung weight to a minimum. No one here would notice the difference between mounting one way or the other.

RS5000's are OK to mount with the body up. I know that ProComp shocks must be mounted with the body down (contrary to what you see in some of their adversiting photos).
TexTJ209
03-23-2007, 04:15 PM
No. It is sprung vs unsprung weight. We run the shocks on the racer inverted because of this reason - we are trying to keep the unsprung weight to a minimum. No one here would notice the difference between mounting one way or the other.

RS5000's are OK to mount with the body up. I know that ProComp shocks must be mounted with the body down (contrary to what you see in some of their adversiting photos).


Did a little research, the old RS5000's went to crap when mounted upside down. The new ones are perfectly okay either way.
crazydog
03-23-2007, 04:22 PM
sorry for the hijack, but you do mount shocks tube down, right?

This got me to thinking about how I have my Bilsteins mounted, so I gave Bilstein a call. I have the body mounted on top because of interference with the axle tube. The gentleman I talked to stated that it does not matter which end is up or down on a monotube shock. They can be mounted either way. On twin tube shocks, the body should be mounted down or the dampening will be adversely affected.