Anyone replaced mk1 suspension WITHOUT changing the boots?

[mikey_p]

As the title says, has anyone replaced the suspension on their mk1 without changing the boots?

Everywhere recommends it but I read all that advice too late. Basically I cannot work on cars where I live so am heading somewhere this weekend to do the job.

By the time I read that the boots should really be replaced (as they fall apart) it was too late to order any.

So......am I being stupid thinking about even attempting the job this weekend?

The car is 94 and has no receipts for the boots, however lowering springs were fitted in November 2009 by previous owner. Does this indicate the boots may be OK? It also passed without any advisories at the end of April.

Cheers,

Mike

[skinny]

afaik, the boots are not required to be in good condition for the MOT - they just just stop dirt getting on the suspension strut. so they might not be in good condition but it's not the end of the world...

[scrwright]

don't forget the boots are also the bump stops, running witout them may harm your shocks if the roads are rough round your way

[mikey_p]

scrwright said:

don't forget the boots are also the bump stops, running witout them may harm your shocks if the roads are rough round your way

I live in the UK so yeah, the roads are rough around my way.

Just wondered whether anyone has found the boots/bump stops to be in OK condition when swapping out suspension. Don't want to fit new suspension without the bump stops in.

[Munter]

When I updated mine. I was unable to identify my boots.... there were a few rings of rubber at the bottom of the struts....

[mazdajason]

As above, they are not expensive so just get a new set at the same time.

[SimonV8ster]

Well they are actually 50 quid from MX5parts.

You could try fitting the later style foam bumpstops instead of the hard rubber ones. Apparantly a far better ride and not so hard as the rubber ones.

[skinny]

scrwright said:

don't forget the boots are also the bump stops, running witout them may harm your shocks if the roads are rough round your way

yeah you wouldn't want to run without the bumpstops, but it's not a biggie if the booties have fallen off them.

[JonnyFive]

You don't get these on coilovers.. I've not put any on mine. Much of a problem?

[breagh]

You mean, no boots? Not an issue. No bumpstops: definitely an issue.

[JonnyFive]

breagh said:

You mean, no boots? Not an issue. No bumpstops: definitely an issue.

The coilovers have bumpstops around the strut of the shock