2002 frt shock bushings

i'm up grading to replacement spgs and 5100 Bilsteins, i need the 2 " lift for access my neck don't bend as it should due to a head one yrs back . Had Toy Tec spacers in my 97 and put them in the 02 but the shocks are getting weak or the springs as it settled to about 1 inch ,i'm banging my head and ride getting soft in the corners. Got the 5100s, but they come with out the bushings .Question the factory bushings have a third washer that fits the hole in the strut top / the replacements I can find have a lower rubber with a lip to ctr the shock in the bushing rather than the steel washer. Am i better off the clean up and reuse the steel centering OEM washer/ spacer or change over to the rubber. all I'd need do to the lower rubber is trim off the lip and use as the original bushing was used. what did you guys do. And anyone have problem either way. bought one of those ebay floor stand spg comp. LOL got the spg compressed and the nut off the shock /top removed ,but the POS was locked I couldn't back off the spg to remove it .that was fun . Spring out of it but it's still locked won't go up or down. Thanks , ~~OBY~~

 

I've wonder that myself. I do like the way the factory ones are set up. But i'm using the aftermarket style with no issues.

 

~~ Ive used the after market on the std Bilsteins but with the 5100s set to 2" I'm leaning toward just polishing out the OEM and reusing them.,as i've seen photos of guys with the strut top hogged out by the shock shaft , think less chance with he steel than the rubber of that happening ~~OBT~~