Satyllac

So with strut boots (KYB part numbers SB101 front, SB103 rear) totalling in at $80 from eBay, I'm wondering if they'll really be worthwhile.

I don't drive around in mud, snow, or even down gravel roads very often. Yeah, I'll admit it's pretty dusty in AZ, but would the boots really help out much for street driving?

Close to $100 seems really steep for four cheap accordion-looking things.

I figure since I bought a set of GR-2 struts and the respective KYB strut mounts today, I might as well get a set of boots at the same time if necessary.

__________________
*Note To Self*
Spend less on car, more on guns.
*/Note*
-Randy

the Shaolin UWP

Use the stockers?

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1986 RX7
2000 SC1
15.846 at 86.08 N/A
14.526 at 98.08 on the juice

Satyllac

But my plan is to pre-load the new-to-me Eibach springs onto the GR-2's for a quick-and-easy installation to save on labor charges. Using the stock boots isn't really an option in that case, unless they're designed differently than I'm thinking.

__________________
*Note To Self*
Spend less on car, more on guns.
*/Note*
-Randy

the Shaolin UWP

*sigh*

Why aren't you installing these yourself?

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1986 RX7
2000 SC1
15.846 at 86.08 N/A
14.526 at 98.08 on the juice

Satyllac

Because I have no garage, no breaker bar(s), no air tools, and... Well, I guess I'll see when the struts get here. I have a spring compressor, so that's no problem.

Hell, I installed my rear wheel disk brakes at the old apartment. I'll see if I'm up to the challenge when the time comes.

But that still doesn't answer my question. Are the strut boots really necessary? If so, where can I find a set of four for cheaper than $80?

__________________
*Note To Self*
Spend less on car, more on guns.
*/Note*
-Randy

Ansalon

You dont really need any air tools for the job and for a breaker bar ive always used a simple pipe. The only thing you will need a breaker bar for sure is on the strut to knuckle bolts. Go in at least the day before and spray down your suspension area with something like PB Blaster and it shouldn't be too bad.
The boots aren't 100% necessary but they greatly extend the life of the struts and especially if you live in a dusty area I would highly suggest them. As to where to find them cheaper than 80 I really have no idea, I just suggest doing it yourself and changing them over, I did it in my driveway and then used a parents car to drive over to a shop to install the springs on the struts and finished putting them all on in one afternoon. Also a tip is suggest which it sounds like your doing, get new mounts for all the struts, the top piece which compresses the spring. I broke one of mine recently after doing my clutch and am not very happy about the thought of taking everything off again to replace it. Just my 2 cents

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1994 Saturn SL2- H&R Springs, KYB Struts, SPS Rear Sway Bar, Front and Rear STB, K&N Intake, MSD Coils, SPS TB, dressed up engine bay, painted interior, 92 Header, no cat, 2.25 piping w/Flowmaster

1966 Mustang 2+2 Fastback- Work in progress

Satyllac

Already got my strut mounts on the way. About $150 for all four... Damn!

So far I've got about $475 invested into suspension parts, but the only thing installed so far is the strut tower bar.

__________________
*Note To Self*
Spend less on car, more on guns.
*/Note*
-Randy

turbo_saturn85

I haven't used the boots on my car since I first replaced the struts.

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Tristan

www.plastikracing.net

SirSteele

same i really doubt the usefulness. ive been fine without them and we have nasty weather down here.

__________________
"Mess with a Saturn, Die like the rest." "It is good to be different."

GoldieGoldie97

i'd recommend, they secure around the greased piston, if you're spending all that money and time to do this right, why would you skip on this step too? any salt, roadgrime, dust and things that buildup can and will if you give it enough time. either or, go to a junkyard, cut the boots off and zip tie them back together around the new struts