Bilstein Shock question?

This question may be retarted but i have seen many pictures of the rear bilstein shocks put on different ways.(meaning dust boot on top and some on bottom) I just installed mine on my truck and put them on with the boot on the bottom half. Could someone clear this up for me on the proper way to install them.

 

IMO, boot on bottom is asking for shit to collect in it bringing about it's early demise. How could it work any better upside down? Seems pointless.

 

put the boot up for the same reason, didn't want to get a torn boot from a stick or something

 

From Bilstein:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Do I mount the shocks with the boot pointing up or down?[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]With the internal design of the Bilstein monotube gas shocks, it does not matter whether the shocks are mounted with the shock rod side up or down. There are some minor advantages in longetivity and overall suspension effectiveness with the shock rod pointed down, and there are many instances where Bilstein has changed the orientation to take advantage of these minor improvements where there are no clearance problems. If there is an option, we recommend mounting the shock with the shock rod and boot pointing down, but in the grand scheme of things, there is no noticeable difference.[/FONT]

http://www.bilsteinshocks.com/bilstein/html/faq.html#10

 

boot goes to the bottom on the rears. to me.....it doesnt really matter which way you mount them tho.........i had mine turned with boot up for about 6k miles........then flipped them over...couldnt tell a difference either way. one thing i did notice with the boot on top.....they collected water like crazy.

 

Hmmm? Seems like fluid leak would occur sooner with crap collecting in the boot being upside down & having more grit wearing on the seal. And as was stated, bigger possibility of something off road gouging or tearing the boot. Guess it doesn't matter that much either way according to Bilstein.

 

Thanks for the replies. I was kinda of worried there for a minute.

 

I just got the 5100s for my 08 and they only mount 1 way and thats with the boot to the top

 

Holy Thread Revival!!

That's because you're a 2nd gen. This discussion was in regards to the rear bilstien shocks on 1st gens which can be mounted either way.

 

how or why idk but supposedly its unsprung weight putting it with the boot down. At least thats what ive been told