I just got the jeep back from the installer, an experienced mechanic. He left off the boots on the front shocks saying that they would collect and hold grit. So the shaft is exposed now. The rear is 'upside down' and has the boots. If the front had the boots with the larger (lower) end fastened with a s/s screw type hose clamp I could raise the boot to clean out the crud as needed. Are the wipers/seals in the 5100's good enuff to live without a condom of sorts?

 

They are. Boots are for looks unless you buy cheap shocks.

I ran those shocks on my TJ for 4 years and never had any problems. Bilsteins are good shocks...

 

I just ordered the Billsteins and probably will not run the boots. I also read on their site that there is a slight advantage in running them with the rod down although they can be mounted either up or down. I can see the clearance advantage running them this way.

 

I just mounted mine without the boots for the same reason given by your mechanic...the boot holds in mud and sand. You should be fine not using them.

 

When I was running bilsteins, first thing I did was cut off the boot. No issues here.

 

I left my boots on but just recently had a rear shock begin leaking. Started after a snow run and I'm wondering if snow and ice got underneath the boot and caused seals to break. It was 3 feet of snow and ice in 0 degree temps do pretty bad stuff!. Got my replacement in today so I am now considering removing the boots off mine after reading this.

 

Done deal! WE don't need no stinkin boots on our Bilsteins. Thanks

 

I removed the boots on the front 5100's but left them on the rears for now, only because they are mounted rods down and not up. I figure the boot will protect the rods from rock rash..