Rear Bilstein 5100s

This is what can happen when the rubber cover boots that come on the 5100s keep popping off the shock body even with new zip ties.

 

The 5100 boots are a totally dumb design. They are too short and don’t stay attached to the shock body when you flex-out the truck, even with heavy duty zip ties and hockey tape. Their design makes them fill with mud and sand and all in all, your shocks are better off without them. Luckily the shafts are on the top, and mostly out of the path of gravel wash.

I took mine off and have never looked back.

 

But why does it look like the shaft has rubbed on the frame, removing the coating ??

 

I think maybe the boot was rubbing instead?

 

Mad Flex.

 

It’s the ribs on the boot that rub the frame. The whole thing is a design flaw. I’m not sure why Bilstein doesn’t resolve it.

 

Yep. The corragated boot was rubbing the frame. I cut them off and through them in the trash. I hope the all the people getting the trd lift installed have better luck with those pretty little red boots.

 

So you literally just cut them off and nothing else?

I'm considering doing the same after seeing your OP.

 

Huh. Never had a problem with mine slipping though I did replace the zip ties; but now I'm going to see if they're filled with detritus.

 

Ya. Cut them off with tin snips.

 

I was thinking of upgrading to the 5100s but don't off road. Would that happen in normal daily driving?

 

Almost definitely not.

5100's would be a good upgrade though.

That said the boots are really only there to supposedly protect the rod from things nicking the rod and possibly for corrosion protection mainly from off-roading. A lot of shocks don't have them.

 

Ribbed boots for her pleasure !

 

LOL. Normal driving? My truck has never been off-road.

 

You're doing something wrong then because I go off road a lot and have had zero issues.

 

I guess I did something right this time by cutting the boots off. I dont have any issues with the 5100s in general except that the boots never wanted to stay attached to the shock body. Its only on the passenger side that rubbed the paint off.

Have you ever removed your shocks since they were installed? I couldnt see what was behind it until I cut the boots off.

 

Thanks, that is kinda what I thought but sometimes I think too much...

 

Better get some paint on that bare metal!