Shock Absorber Boots

Michael & Kate Cooper · Post by **Michael & Kate Cooper** » Thu Oct 18, 2001 4:40 pm

Hi,
Just wondering if anybody knows are there cheaper options to replace
the shock absorber boots than Mazda's (they have quoted me $70+gst each).

regards
Michael Cooper

MC · Post by MC » Thu Oct 18, 2001 5:01 pm

Michael
Bear in mind they do incorporate the bump stop rubber as well, always a good
idea to replace when replacing your shocks.
MC

carl.halvorsen · Post by **carl.halvorsen** » Thu Oct 18, 2001 5:54 pm

You can get drain flo from placemakers 15m for about $9.

carl

Gary Morrison · Post by **Gary Morrison** » Thu Oct 18, 2001 5:55 pm

Yeah, get the Mazda ones. They are an integral part of the suspension, cheaper
parts will not work the same.

Gary

Fletcher Blades · Post by **Fletcher Blades** » Thu Oct 18, 2001 6:10 pm

Last weekend, I helped my friend Karl install his shocks.

He too, was balking at the $70 each from mazda (but dont forget the club
discount)

He went to a suspension place and bought 2 pairs of steering rack boots ($10
per pair)

We then trimmed the original boots of the "accordion" part (that was dried out
and torn) leaving just the top bump-stop section...

We then trimmed the steering rack boots to fit the bump-stops and stretched
them over the top of the bump-stop, and trimmed the other end to fit over the
shock-body... This end needs to be ty-wrapped to the shock. (ty-wrap...
plastic self-locking tie)

Looks as good as, if not better than new...

Good and cheap solution...

Fletch.

Also, Karl spoke to the Koni agent on this issue... they are undecided on
whether boots are needed or not, and will honour the warranty regardless...
If you choose to run with-out... just trim off the old bad accordion section
and keep the bump-stops.

Gary Morrison · Post by **Gary Morrison** » Fri Oct 19, 2001 10:16 am

Hey Fletch,

We buy the MX-5 for its superior driving experience, most of that is in the
suspension design. Eventually the rubber parts will wear out (the suspension
bushes for example are rated for about 100,000k under normal circumstances).
It seems crazy to avoid proper maintenance to save dollars. We own the cars
for long periods of time and must be prepared to maintain them to the level
they were designed if we are serious. If the boots have perished and fallen to
bits the bump stop itself must be somewhat suspect too no? As I understand it
the car runs on the bump stops in cornering (more so if you have lowered the
car) and they are designed to be a progressive extension of the suspensions
performance. Why compromise that?

Gary

Fletcher Blades · Post by **Fletcher Blades** » Sat Oct 20, 2001 12:43 am

Gary,

I understand your point, but the bump-stops I've seen dot appear to be
diminished in any-way... its just the accordion bit below them that wears
out...

I'm not a materials engineer, but it makes sense to me that while the whole
thing appears to be made of the same synthetic rubber stuff (Urethane or
neoprene?)... that the part that is less than 1mm thick, and is required to
bend nearly 180 degrees on a regular basis may wear out faster than the bit
that is about 60mm round and 40mm thick and only required to squash 20% of its
thickness occasionally?

As it happens, I didn't replace my own 12-year-old ones, as they are still in
good shape (but this is rare, most I've seen are torn).

Fletch.

Fletcher Blades · Post by **Fletcher Blades** » Sat Oct 20, 2001 1:47 am

Earlier I said...

Also, Karl spoke to the Koni agent on this issue... they are undecided
on whether boots are needed or not, and will honour the warranty
regardless... If you choose to run with-out... just trim off the old bad>
accordion section and keep the bump-stops.

Karl has asked that I clarify...

Specific mention of warranty did not come up in his conversation... it was an
assumption on my part that as they were discussing installation with and
without boots, that if they discussed an installtion plan that would void
warranty that this would be mentioned... I have also seen mention on the
internet in mailing lists of Koni USA honoring warranties without boots
(wheras I know other companies do void warranty in this situation)...

Fletch.

Gary Morrison · Post by **Gary Morrison** » Sat Oct 20, 2001 10:36 am

Fletch,

I don't know specifically either... but I would say that the bump stops don't
get used occaisionally, they get used all the time, at least going by some
measurements that have been done by some on the power list. And if the car is
lowered all the time means all the time and vigorously. If the suspension
bushes can need replacement at 100,000k, then I would expect the bump stops to
be worth doing too. Also 4 bump stop / boots amounts to a little less than the
cost of one shock. Not doing them seems to be skimping, like using the
cheapest oil you can get instead of the best, just to save money.

Its a little harder to commit to replacing suspension bushes... they are about
$40 each, and there are a dozen in the rear suspension alone!

Gary

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