Protection Tube Alternatives? (shock dust cover/boot)
 

I just had a shock destroy itself and I'm debating on adding a protection boot because they're so expensive. It would run me around $30 a set, not including stop buffers. This is after I've got done paying $130 for 2 SACHS shocks. Not including 2x RSM, reinforcement plates, and other stuff that I need to get.

I currently don't have any protection tube/cover what-so-ever on my shocks. The shocks have been replaced by the original owner before, but they didn't add/replace the old protection tube/cover. So it's just a bare shock w/ a washer+stop buffer+RSM stuff. It's been like this for years. So I'm not too concerned about adding the protection tube since they've went this long, but I would like things to be complete if I could.
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QUESTION: Are there any alternatives to this part?

The part is #4: "Protection tube" #33521129263 $17.89
PART DIAGRAM: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=33_1967


The reason I ask is because there's a member here that has a protection tube that isn't flared.
Shown here: http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=44538 (also has a different bump stop)

The "Protection tube" part in the diagram above also isn't flared at the top, but the part# matches with "Protection tubes" that are flared at the top.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/33521129263/ & https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...pa-33521129263

Here's the thing though, if you search that part# within FCPEURO, it shows that it doesn't fit the 1998 318ti, but on ECSTUNING it does.


There's also a company/part called: "VAICO V20-0725"
Shown here: https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/vaico/2216514 & an ebay listing here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/384722634180 (2x $10.06)

On that site it shows that this fits the 1998 318ti, but the same style on other sites doesn't fit. It doesn't seem to fit though in the ebay listing.


So this is causing me a bunch of confusion. I'm going to email these companies as well and hope they get back with me. I just thought I would post here in case anyone could guide me.

From the looks of it, as long as it clears the shock and sits on the bump stop, then it should work just fine?

Thanks for any feedback.

This also shows the non-flared style that claims to fit the 318ti: https://www.ebay.com/itm/351021279137
$34.87 which is around $5 a part. So it's a steal compared to the other.

I'm just going to go with the above. Tired of hunting for easter eggs :frown:.

The Vaico ones should work. Doesn't look like they have the washer that inserts which you'll need. I'll check my storage bins I may have a spare set you can have. Gimme until tomorrow, it's buried behind the car.

I already ordered shims, gaskets, and reinforcement plates. Thanks though.

My original washer/plates look decent aside from the rust.

Here's my busted shock.
https://i.imgur.com/v8FefJ1.jpg

I'm still not sure what the use of the shim is. Does it help keep the bump stop from moving further up?

Forgot to mention, I bought the ebay set for $34.
I will post pics here when I'm done in case anyone stumbles on this and needs the info/pics.

Just got the covers/bumps/RSMs in, but still waiting on plates, gaskets, and shims.


They look good so far.
https://i.imgur.com/anV2n75.jpg

Will update when all my stuff gets here (next week).

Had a few weeks of snow and eventually installed everything when the weather cooled down (also waited a long time to update this thread). Very simple.

A lot of protection tubes and bump stops can work with this. I guess it's not that complex of a thing.

https://i.imgur.com/anTfosc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/zzQ0aOj.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/fpyBV6n.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/HJCHEyO.jpg

You can also use the colored vinyl corrugated ones for off road shocks...

Those are probably a buck each from China.

Or nothing.