coil-over question

[IsItElectric?]

I'm putting my GC suspension in now and I'm realizing the kit didn't come with anything to protect the shock / strut tubes (the steel rod coming out of the shock body) from the inevitable dust, dirt, and road debris that will hit it while driving it on the street.

I'm not planning on driving the car on the street much anymore, but I still have to drive it to / from events.

What have those w/ coil-overs done? Is this even a concern for a car that won't see much street use?

Thanks,

[Liam]

I have used steering rack boots for this, there are also universal boots made just for this as well (try an off road shop).

[gazellebeigem3]

Its not really a big deal if the car sees limited street use. The most important thing is that if it sees weather, is to use a lube on the adjuster sleeve. Something like a dry graphite lube.

[etxxz]

any auto parts store sells these boots for shocks. w/ 2.5" ID springs you want to use steering boots. and regular ones on the rear. i'm in the same track/street situation as you.

[IsItElectric?]

Thanks everyone. Steering rack boots seem to be the way to go, however a bit pricey, IMHO. I picked up a set of molded boots that will probably work, but they were $22 / ea from NAPA. Ouch.

Going to try some off-road places today, hopefully I can get something less expensive.

[gearheadE30]

Dunno if bilstein covers can be bought separately, but they work well and are very durable

[PaintPro21]

you don't need them. koni's and other standard non inverted inserts don't come with boots and they aren't spec'ed for track use only. the e34's and e39's and every other car running around on the road with those style inserts are having no problem.

[nando]

you don't need them. koni's and other standard non inverted inserts don't come with boots and they aren't spec'ed for track use only. the e34's and e39's and every other car running around on the road with those style inserts are having no problem.

yeah, I haven't had boots on my konis for 6 years. They won't fit inside the springs anyway, I tried!

[AlarmedBread]

No boots, plenty of mud and dirt doing rallyx, no issues.

[revhead888]

im actually looking at getting GC coilovers, interested in seeing how the car sits. so if you have GC coilovers in your e30 can you post pics.

[IsItElectric?]

you don't need them. koni's and other standard non inverted inserts don't come with boots and they aren't spec'ed for track use only. the e34's and e39's and every other car running around on the road with those style inserts are having no problem.

Interesting. I've always run Bilstein HDs or Sports and they've always come w/ boots, and many industrial linear actuator application I've seen have some sort of bellows to prevent dust & dirt from marring the shaft.

I did learn recently that Bilsteins and Konis are engineered very differently from the standpoint of how they port the shock oil and where the nitrogen is stored. Perhaps this has something to do w/ it?

[IsItElectric?]

im actually looking at getting GC coilovers, interested in seeing how the car sits. so if you have GC coilovers in your e30 can you post pics.

I don't have them on yet, as I've spent lots of time preparing to get them on. The attached pictures are what I was up to last weekend, and I just got all new elastic stopnuts for pretty much all the connection points for the suspension to the chassis, knuckle, etc etc.

I'll post some when I get it all together.

[nando]

im actually looking at getting GC coilovers, interested in seeing how the car sits. so if you have GC coilovers in your e30 can you post pics.

Just FYI - this depends on far too many variables to post a car on "ground controls" and make a decision based on stance or ride height. Spring length, rate, how the perch is modified, individual adjustments, tire size, etc. all influence the ride height. Some people are scraping the ground with their subframes and others still have 1/2" fender gap with the adjusters all the way to the bottoms. You will have to choose your components and modify appropriately to reach your goals.

[kishg]

no need for boots, get them if you want them but if your putting coilovers on and think $22 is expensive, something doesn't quite compute :)

[JRKOUPE]

no need for boots, get them if you want them but if your putting coilovers on and think $22 is expensive, something doesn't quite compute :)

K..wazzup..it does compute using R3v math.....