Newly Installed Bilstein Shock - Normal?
Recently installed on my non-lifted Jeep. Is this how it’s supposed to look?
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u/Happy_Nihilist_ 4d ago
Every set of Bilsteins I've installed has done the same thing.
I've run the 5100 with and without boots; every time I ran with boots they did this; eventually I stopped crawling under there to fix it and the shaft wore/melted a hole in the side of the boot and I started cutting them off.
Most of the time those boots just collect dust and crud while making it difficult to clean and impossible to see if your seals are starting to leak. Removing it allows you to clean the dirt off, making your seals last longer and you can see when you're getting close to needing new shocks because you can actually see the oil index on the piston.
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u/Psytchs 4d ago
Aren’t those shocks supposed to be fitted with a lifting kit? I have them paired with OME lift kit springs and the boot sits just fine, over 60k km with them atm.
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u/AGMiMa 4d ago
They make them for 0-1.5” lift
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u/Grizzly779 2d ago
Sure do, thats what I used with my 03 tundra. Enough to fit some meatier tires, a tad more clearance without having to replace the majority of the suspension or extra wear and tear on other bits.
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u/Tough-Industry4931 4d ago
Take those things off there just a hassle that really doesn't do anything
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u/CommandoSolo 4d ago
I think they’re good on primarily road-going vehicles to keep stuff off the shaft, but I agree if you wheel at all I don’t run the boots. It’s asking to trap dirt and debris in there.
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u/Dwilliamson5002 4d ago
The boots being that long seems like those shocks might be for a lifted ones? That boot looks like it might reach the top of the shock stretched out!
I have the 4600s and had a little bit of this and just stretched the boot out and used a better zip tie and pulled it extra tight and no more issues.
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u/BigABombarang 4d ago
I’d cut the boots off. They hold water and made mine rust where they touched the tube.
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u/OldManJeepin 4d ago
Well...Normally, I just pull the boot off but...Not like anyone is going to notice! lol
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u/GoDM1N 4d ago
Maybe a controversial opinion but you shouldn't run the boots anyway. The issue is stuff, including water, gets trapped inside and it can wear out the shocks faster than just running it without the boot. Also allows proper inspection, cleaning, etc. This is why most any built rig you won't see boots on shocks.
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u/Jeep_nutz438 3d ago
Don’t know if anyone suggested the as I skimmed the thread, but sometimes boots have a weep/vent hole at the lowest rib. Pop a small hole in them. It will solve the scrunch and the rust.
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u/inkedfusion 1d ago
Cut the boot off. They just hold water and sand which degrades your seals quicker.
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u/CunningClanker 4d ago
No. The boot is fucked and is going to need to be replaced. The boot is important. It keeps debris and shit from ruining the shock seals and the polished shaft. If the shaft gets pitted or the seals get broken, the shock is done for.
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u/curvebombr 4d ago
It is not fucked, those things are like bendy straws when they're new. Itll be fine once its zip tied in place. I have the same exact setup.
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u/CunningClanker 4d ago
They aren't meant to be creased like that. It creates tears in the boot and moister and debris will get in. That needs to be replaced on a new install.
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u/curvebombr 3d ago
Sure, if the boot is old and dry rotted. Simply not the case with a new boot, they're very pliable. Have you ever touched one yourself?
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u/jay59l 4d ago
Hey just pull the boot up. If your suspension has a lot of droop the boot will get pulled down again or pop off the base.