Dust boots on new shocks

[86swb]

I am installing new shocks and dust boots on my 1984 Silverado but not sure if the dust boots go on top or bottom of the shocks. Appreciate any help.

[mopar346]

If you are asking whether to put the big end up or down, the fixed end goes down and the skinny shaft goes inside that goes up and down goes up and the boot goes around that, in 99% of the cases I am aware of.

[86swb]

I just wanted to know if the "dust boots" when installed are on the top of the shock or on the bottom of the shocks. Does it make a difference? One of my son-in-laws installed the shocks and dust boots onto the shocks for me and on the back he has the dust boots on the bottom of the shocks and on the front he has them on the top of the two front shocks. He thought it made no difference. I always thought they went on the top of our trucks. What is right?

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Originally Posted by 86swb

I just wanted to know if the "dust boots" when installed are on the top of the shock or on the bottom of the shocks. Does it make a difference? One of my son-in-laws installed the shocks and dust boots onto the shocks for me and on the back he has the dust boots on the bottom of the shocks and on the front he has them on the top of the two front shocks. He thought it made no difference. I always thought they went on the top of our trucks. What is right?

I've heard on some other F*rd forums that it doesn't matter, could be misinformation there though.

[86swb]

Thank's for your information. But "Ford forums"?

[mopar346]

I guess I am not following wht you are asking at all, do you have a picture of this "dust boot"? I assume you are talking about the rubber/plastic bellowed tube that protects the small shaft that actually moves on a shock. Again, if that is the case they typically go up, in theory the shock would have the same resistance pressed from either direction and yes if their was a seal leaking it would leak out either way, but less if the canister part of the shock that contains the oil is on the bottom.

Consider this, if it were a stock shock that had a metal dust cap it would hold water if installed upside down.

[86swb]

The shocks are on right but the shocks did not come with the dust boots. These are something I bought for the shocks. It did not say in the instructions if the boots go on the top of the shocks or the bottom of the shocks. The part of the shocks that move up and down are both front and rear on the bottom but he has the red dust boots on the rear on the bottom and on the front on the top. Does this help? The truck is now at the body shop or I would take pictures.

[mopar346]

I 'm lost the boot I am familiar with would only really go one way. The shock can go on upside down but the boot cant really be install on the wrong end. If I am missing something I'm sorry, I am trying to answer your question.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/searc...il&fr2=piv-web

[86swb]

OK, appreciate the help