Bilstein Coilovers Shock Boots. OCD at its MAX....

[EvolutionDetail]

I figure i might get more helps / innovative ideas if i ask my fellow detailers.

My DD is a 2013 Tacoma Baja Series.
It comes with the factory Bilstein tuned Coilovers. As we all know shocks have those Rubber Boots that seals away dirt / debris, to keep a longer life on shocks.

Unfortunately that one day i was washing my suspension, i was using a daytona Jr brush to clean my springs, i accidentally poked at the Rubber Boots, and caused it to dented inward. (The Bilstein shocks have those ribbed design boots)

So i tried using my fingers to make it pop back out, it only made it worst, i created more dents on the boot instead of fixing, and now it is bothering the CRAP out of me.

With the springs in the way, theres only so little room to put my finger in to try fix it.... and i am out of ideas on fixing it.....

So hopefully someone on this forum have had a similar situation or pre harps more creative than i am, and can suggest me some unique ideas on popping the rubber boot back in place.

[Vegas Transplant]

Air pressure/compressor maybe?

[EvolutionDetail]

thats what i was thinking too... but where to fit the nozzle in and blow it in the boot

[Vegas Transplant]

I was shooting in the dark.
If the boot is not sealed tightly, maybe you can apply at the boot seam.
I haven't looked closely at any boot since '87...and those were Rancho's.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Your gonna have to actuate the shock absorbers to get those kinks out....

[cplchris]

cut the boots off and be done with it...all they do is trap dirt and crud inside and wear the shocks out faster....you may not believe me but they don't do their intended job of keeping dirt out.

[EvolutionDetail]

Anyways i got it fixed....
The damn boot's bottom is connected to anything or zip tied around the strut.... so i lifted it up in between the spaces of the spring and ultimately pop it back out with my fingers.


PS: I always thought the boot is keep crap out to prolong life of the shocks....
But now i realize the bottom of the boot isn't connected to anything, except from the top, and pretty much just dangle its way down to somewhat cover the inner metal tube.....

[cplchris]

like I said the open boot does more harm than good.