I installed four Bilstien Shocks a couple weeks ago and have a question about the Blue Rubber Boots. I mounted the shocks with the writing on them rightside up, this put the rubber boots on the bottom. Now the blue rubber boots stick out like a sore thumb when you are behind the truck. Maybe it's just me but I don't like the appearance. I don't think it will hurt to flip the shocks so the boots are on top. So, does anyone think it will hurt to mount Bilstiens upside down?
Thanks for Listening,
Bill
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2002 F350 CC, LB, SRW, 4X4, 6 Speed. Hutch Pre-Pump and In Tank Mod, Housted T, Harpooned Tank. LL#8 Gone. EPI Flex Pipe. Scangage2. Towing 2013 Arctic Fox 27-5L 5th. Wheel
The same can be said if the boots are on the top unless you are parking the truck in water that only comes up to the bottom of the shock. If water can get into it when the boot is on the bottom it is going to get into it when the boot it on the top.
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96 F250 PS XLT 4X4 long box, 5sp,4.10, manual hubs,pyro+boost guages, Dark Toumaline, add a leaf, Dale's TYMAR, and HX hose, downpipe, coolant filter, Luk clutch
I figure, if the boots are on the bottom, they will eventually fill up with dirt and water...can't be good for seals.
Isn't the whole idea of boots is to keep dirt out? To make sure water doesn't accumulate in the boot just do what I did and make a small hole in the boot near the bottom. A small hand held paper punch makes a nice size hole.
After I mounted them I really thought they were upside down. I did search here and other sites and common thought seemed to be, mount them so the writing on the shock was rightside up.
I am going to flip them and this brings up a new important queston. Is there any trick any of you know on how to compress the shocks to get them into their mounts. The darned things will expand as soon as I pull them out.
Bill
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2002 F350 CC, LB, SRW, 4X4, 6 Speed. Hutch Pre-Pump and In Tank Mod, Housted T, Harpooned Tank. LL#8 Gone. EPI Flex Pipe. Scangage2. Towing 2013 Arctic Fox 27-5L 5th. Wheel
When you mount the shock just compress it with your arms with steady pressure. I would try to install the top first then push the bottom to its mount. You can also take large nylon ties and loop one around each end while they are still mounted and then take a third tie and strap the 2 loops together to limit the amount the shock opens.
They are really not hard to compress. The shocks are for dampening.
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2004 F250 Crew Cab King Ranch Lariat FX4 Saddle Leather 6.0 L FUMOTO Valve
AIRAID 4" straight No CAT No MUFF
Nitto Terra Grapplers All Terrain LT285/75R16 10 PR Everything else pretty much stock
NEW Ranchos installed 8/15/2010
WORK IN PROGRESS - R&R EGR COOLER, OIL COOLER, THERMOSTAT, TURBO BOLTS, GASKETS, ORINGS, and adding a COOLANT FILTER WITH NEW COOLANT AND FLUSH
This entire thread is mute. I tried to flip the shocks only to find they only go on one way. Top mount bolt is bigger than the bottom one, this puts the boot on the bottom and like it or not I am stuck with it. If I had looked at the shocks before I mounted them I would have saw that.
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2002 F350 CC, LB, SRW, 4X4, 6 Speed. Hutch Pre-Pump and In Tank Mod, Housted T, Harpooned Tank. LL#8 Gone. EPI Flex Pipe. Scangage2. Towing 2013 Arctic Fox 27-5L 5th. Wheel
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Maybe it's just me but I don't like the appearance. I don't think it will hurt to flip the shocks so the boots are on top. So, does anyone think it will hurt to mount Bilstiens upside down?
Will Travel to Hunt!
Top mount bolt is bigger than the bottom one, this puts the boot on the bottom and like it or not I am stuck with it. If I had looked at the shocks before I mounted them I would have saw that.
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