After 4 years of use, I dropped off my Tein SRCs to their HQ office for an overhaul. The Tein techs noted that all 4 piston rods had scoring and pitting damage which need replacing at $65 a pop. I'm suspecting rocks and debris may have been trapped around the rod/housing area causing some damage over the years.

Now the SRCs don't come with any suspension boots (gators), but thinking about running some before I reinstall the coilovers. Wanted to hear if anyone runs boots over their rods and if there's something they can recommend.

thanks

 

KW V3s come with a rubber "skirt" that hangs down from the bump stop. The bump stop itself also covers a lot of piston rod. The KW system seems to work for a one inch lowered car because I recently pulled a shock and the piston rod looks pristine with absolutely no oil leakage. If you're not lowered then you've got an extra 0.7" of piston rod exposed.

Here's a pic of my left rear under normal compression. You can see the "skirt" inside the coils:

 

One word for you guys. Shockwears.

They cover the entire shock, velcro on. Brilliant product I have used for years.

 

Cool product, thanks for the tip

Pricey, but will likely go with these.

 

We never run anything over the shocks for the safari buggies, just tends to hold the shit against the shafts...

 

I wouldn't recommend the full shock covers for track cars because the covers act as a blanket to prevent shock cooling.

 

From what I can see it only covers part of the damper body, springs and almost the entire rod. Since the reservoir is external the impacts are negligible. I take it that the shock cover extends the length of the upper & lower spring seats.

Unless I'm missing something?

 

unless you are running a pillowball top mount, most shock shaft damage is striations from side shaft loading.

 

Does that apply to people who daily drive their shocks through salty winters or just race only use?

 

Add bad springs to the list as well as super tight pillowballs and incorrect bushing preload as far as items that can cause side loading.

Damage from a rock is definitely possible, I'm knocking on wood because I've been really lucky