Shock Boots, Good or Bad?

Rezneck · 09-01-2008, 08:19 AM

I think they catch and hold more crud than they keep out.

My grandson helped me change shocks yesterday and we put the boots on. I guess they look cool and they wouldn't have came with the shocks if they weren't needed. I'll take them back off sometime when he's not looking.

OldSailor · 09-01-2008, 11:30 AM

I've never used shock boots on he shocks or steering dampers on my CJ7. I think it tends to trap the water in there, promoting rust of the piston rod.

**243** · 09-01-2008, 11:34 AM

If they are sealed to hold nitrogen in, that should keep dirt and liquids out....that's my story and I'm sticking to it

**BESRK** · 09-01-2008, 04:17 PM

I don't bother with the boots anymore. They've always ended up full of crud or ended up getting ripped up. I'd rather give the shock a good spraydown with clean water than rely on a boot to keep it clean.

84jeepjohn · 09-02-2008, 07:37 AM

well, my shocks have never had the boots, and the rod is ALL rusted now. Granted I think alot of it started when I was stuck in Iraq, but still... I think boots (with a drain hole) are a good idea

**BESRK** · 09-02-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84jeepjohn

well, my shocks have never had the boots, and the rod is ALL rusted now. Granted I think alot of it started when I was stuck in Iraq, but still... I think boots (with a drain hole) are a good idea

Just curious.. what brand shocks?

**Slawth** · 09-02-2008, 04:04 PM

Boots hold moisture and crud in. You then can not see the crud while it wears away at the seal around the rod- or causes rust/pitting. The only time you should run shock boots is if they are florescent pink. Then their entertainment value for other Jeepers far outweighs the damage they might be doing.

84jeepjohn · 09-03-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BESRK

Just curious.. what brand shocks?

what ever came with my RE 4.5" lift back in 01

78CJFIVE · 09-10-2010, 11:55 AM

Thanks search function.

I was about to make a new post about this, but I'll bump this one. I just got a new 2.5" Superlift w/ shocks, and after inspecting my old shocks I came to the conclusion that the boots trap a lot of crud. I've decided not to run them. Wasn't crazy about the yellow color anyways.

Off topic.. I had planned on using a better shock, but decided to save a few bucks here. What do you guys think about the Superlift shocks?

**gojeepin** · 09-10-2010, 12:30 PM

I went a different way. I just bought some Monroe shocks that have the (old style) steel caps over the rod instead of a boot. They keep most of the dirt (etc.) out and don't trap anything inside.

The yellow you see on the front wheel of my Avatar is the shock cap.

Torxhead · 09-10-2010, 12:42 PM

I called Rancho on that question back in the day when they were the only shock to get. They said definitly to install them.

78CJFIVE · 09-10-2010, 10:05 PM

Here are my old Rancho shocks. They have always had the boot installed. You an see the clean white area is where the boot was ziptied to. The rod is hasn't rusted, but you can see all the debris the boot held in and what it did.

**Skerr** · 09-11-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84jeepjohn

well, my shocks have never had the boots, and the rod is ALL rusted now. Granted I think alot of it started when I was stuck in Iraq, but still... I think boots (with a drain hole) are a good idea

Having been born in FL and growing up on the beach, I will go out on a limb and suggest your Jeep had ridden on the beach once or twice in its lifetime. And unless you scrub with a sponge and soap you will never get ALL of the salt off.

The important factor about a shock that needs to be considered is the condition of the piston. That's the shiny "stem" that you can see (or not if you have boots). Keeping the piston in good shape significantly extends the life of a shock. If the piston rusts it will cause pitting in the metal. As the shock operates normally the pitted metal may move back and forth across the seal, causing the seal to wear out and leak. This is true in all hydraulics. Boots may hold in crud, but if the piston doesn't rust it's a moot point. I think it's a matter of personal preference.

84jeepjohn · 09-11-2010, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skerr

Having been born in FL and growing up on the beach, I will go out on a limb and suggest your Jeep had ridden on the beach once or twice in its lifetime. And unless you scrub with a sponge and soap you will never get ALL of the salt off.

The important factor about a shock that needs to be considered is the condition of the piston. That's the shiny "stem" that you can see (or not if you have boots). Keeping the piston in good shape significantly extends the life of a shock. If the piston rusts it will cause pitting in the metal. As the shock operates normally the pitted metal may move back and forth across the seal, causing the seal to wear out and leak. This is true in all hydraulics. Boots may hold in crud, but if the piston doesn't rust it's a moot point. I think it's a matter of personal preference.

LOL no I've only been in FL for about 1.5 years (military) and this CJ has never gotten to go on the beach. They don't let us on the beach in my area.

all my issues started in south texas, and then OK LOL but since moving to FL the rust has accelerated

**Skerr** · 09-11-2010, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84jeepjohn

LOL no I've only been in FL for about 1.5 years (military) and this CJ has never gotten to go on the beach. They don't let us on the beach in my area.

all my issues started in south texas, and then OK LOL but since moving to FL the rust has accelerated

Well... it's inherrent in FL. We're a rusty state!

I'm glad you're here and thanks for your service!