Shock boot full of mud

[Dirtrider216]

I was just under my car greasing the drive shaft when I noticed that the boot on my rear blistein 5100 is packed full of crud from a winter of driving on salted dirty roads... can I just cut the shock boot off or is there a reason for me to keep it on?

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

I was just under my car greasing the drive shaft when I noticed that the boot on my rear blistein 5100 is packed full of crud from a winter of driving on salted dirty roads... can I just cut the shock boot off or is there a reason for me to keep it on?

Happens with all boots. Cut the zip tie that holds the boot to the shock body, slip the boot off the shock body and clean it out. Then put it back on the shock body and put a new zip tie on it to hold it in place. They help protect the chrome shock shaft against rock dings and damage from crap on the road. The down side to them is, as you know, they collect crap inside them and need to be maintained.

 

[Dirtrider216]

The shock boot is already slipped off the shock body and packed too full of mud for me to move it any further