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I just purchased a set of assembled struts and the rears did not come with dust covers. I've never had a set without before, do I need to get them for the rears, or can I go without?

Thoughts?

I would cover them. That dust/dirt can eat at a seal. Any chance you can take the stock ones off and use them?

I agree. Cheap insurance.

I'll have to look at the stock boots, I suspect I can use them.
My issue is that I really don't want to have to take the assembled units apart. I don't have the open-top socket wrench to do so.

Slice the boots then glue them back together?

I hadn't thought of that.
I wonder if that would actually work?
I'd have to take a look and see if I can even get the sliced boots through the coils.

Be careful doing that. My fear is there is a little grease on the inside of the boot and that will make it difficult to glue back together.

I don't know if they are the cheapest, but here you go:
Tire Rack - KYB Strut Boot

Yeah, I may just go buy a set of pass through sockets.
Harbor Freight has a 21 piece set for $20.
There is one up in Sterling.

drwrx wrote:Yeah, I may just go buy a set of pass through sockets.
Harbor Freight has a 21 piece set for $20.
There is one up in Sterling.

I have that set if you want to borrow it. I'm off Eisenhower Ave.

Or if you still want to get a set, I just got an email/coupon for 20% off through the 23rd. I can forward it to you to take in store or just tell you the code if you want to buy online.

Thanks for the offers.
I did some hunting and I may just run over to Home Depot. Husky has a 23 piece set for $17.

Get the GearWrench set at Sears for $50. I have a complete Craftsman socket set that hasn't been used in years because I always reach for the GW stuff.

Side note; My external reservoir Bilstein 5160's came with no boots and I asked why that was the case (normal 5100's do). The answer was that boots hold moisture and mud close to the shaft and are just as likely to cause failure as running without. Go figure.

The real reason for boots isn't dust but to keep the shafts from getting nicked, which would cause seal failure.

PGT wrote:The real reason for boots isn't dust but to keep the shafts from getting nicked, which would cause seal failure.

Kind of sounds like you are saying that a little piece of rubber is going to make a difference when there is an event so violent that tempered steel would be gouged by debris/rock impact.

But I get it that the boots would keep debris from being pressed up against the metal and grinding grooves into the metal over time.

I think a dust boot would prevent a rock chip on the highway, yes.