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New shocks don't look right

gilroy

Full Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2011
Messages
28
Location
Northern WI
:help: :help:

I ordered all new shocks for my 03 Z71.
Bilstein (24-186643) 5100 for the front. (I do have a 2" level in the front).  And Bilstein 24-187237 Rear Shock for the rear.  

I changed the front shocks tonight and the dust shroud on one of them is all bunched up.
I think it's just the zip tie that holds it on might be too high.  I tried twisting it on the shock absorber but it feels like it might be glued on as well as zip-tied.

So my first question is how do I fix the shroud on the passenger side?  (see pics)


http://imgur.com/EwoLQWS
http://imgur.com/2RdbgBb


Second question - my old shocks that I took off each had a metal spacer that sat between the top of the shock body and the metal lower metal plate that holds the lower rubber washer in place.  The new shocks didn't come with the spacer.  Should I use the spacer on the new shocks? (see picture of spacer).


http://imgur.com/tvHcPQn
 
Did you purchase the shocks locale?
If so take shock of and let them fix the boot. On line send pics to vendor ask for help.
I have cut the strap before and had success with boots. Not sure on the glue part and
boot maybe to twisted to come out looking right. 
Maybe someone else on the spacer I just can't picture it right now.
 
I've installed a few sets of Bilstein shocks on multiple vehicles. For some reason every now and then the boots come out like that no matter how many times you mess with the. I guess the rubber they use for the dust cover is just too cheap. I do not recall ever using a spacer on them that you showed in the picture. I would measure the tops of the bolts on both struts. Its possible the stock bolts are longer, (as far as where they rest on the support on the chassis) so they may need the spacer to take up the gap.
 
I was able to fix the boot but using a small pick and scraping under the zip tied part, then spraying a little silicone lube on it.  Even then it was a bear to slide it down, but it looks normal now.
I skipped the spacer and the shocks seem to ride perfect.
 
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