upper strut "housing"?

[SethM]

OK, last night I took both front strut assemblies out of my 85 T4WD. Once out of the car, I noticed that one of them is missing the upper housing part (that slides down over the lower cartridge housing--- sorry, don't know the correct terms and didn't see them labeled in the FSM...). Its just completely GONE. The other strut assembly has this housing/shield. The question is, now what? how important is this piece? I can't imagine its still available and since I"m on the east coast there are no pick-a-parts with T4WDs in them... I have the new inserts, new insulators, new springs.... but thought I'd ask here before proceeding further.

Thanks,

[Petros]

There is no housing there, but an accordion type rubber boot, and most places that install struts can get them, even if just a generic one. It protects the strut shaft and seal from grit and dust.

[SethM]

There is no housing there, but an accordion type rubber boot, and most places that install struts can get them, even if just a generic one. It protects the strut shaft and seal from grit and dust.

Well on mine (probably the original equipment....) it is not accordion-style at all but solid that can slide down over the lower cartridge part and has the bumper at the top. The illustration in the FSM depicts what I have but I did take the whole strut into NAPA and they say they can get a "bumper kit" and I suspect it will have the accordion boot you mention. Thanks and I'll update this once it see exactly what NAPA has and once I get the whole thing back in the wagon.