i just adjusted my steering stabilizer (SS) mount (attached to the tie rod i think and held on with 2 u-bolts) downward a little bit (just enough to hopefully clear the shock) b/c my rancho SS shock was scraping against the bracket for the track bar.

my question: will this adjustment affect anything detrimentally??? bend the shock? cause additionaly stress on any other components??

here are some pictures for visual aid... thanks in advance for opinions and input!

FRONT VIEW:


CLOSE VIEW:


SCRAPING ISSUE:

 

also... since the boot looks like crap now... would there be any issues with removing it?? the factory shock did not have one so i assume it is mainly for looks and not critical for performance.

 

Actually it is a good idea to have. Small nicks and chips on the shock shaft can lead to damage of the piston seal. Once the seal is damaged, the fluid will leak out rendering the shock useless.... but if it is rotated and blocked from getting hit by rocks and debris, it would probably be ok to remove.

 

The other school of thought on the boot is that rock mud and dirt will get in there one way or another. Since no one really takes the time to wash under the boots there will be all that bad stuff in constant contact with your stabilizer. At least without the boot you can easily clean and occasionally inspect the part without hassle. I say rip it off.

 

Boots are for sissys, All they do is collect water and mud. Perfect environment for rust. I actually reversed mine as Jeep had originally installed them on the JK. They reversed it do to what lightning said. But if you bend it even the slightest bit or just push the clamps up a bit, The shock body is going to hit the bracket behind the tierod and horse shoe the dampner. I'd rather it get slightly banged up then bending like a pretzel. I bent mine 5 minutes into a trail ride. That's one of the faults in the design of the new front end. It also takes quite a bit to scratch up the rod. That's pretty tough steel.

Bob C.

 

good idea... never though of reversing it... but the main question is will i hurt anything b/c i turned the base mount (ubolt side) down a bit??

 

Shouldn't hurt a thing. But by reversing it you won't have that problem anymore.