This could possibly be a dumb question. I'm looking my car over and trying to do some preventive maintenance. I notice that the passenger side strut boot is torn...nothing terrible...it is torn though. I know it's only purpose is to protect the cylinder from dust/debris. Should this be something I need to worry with replacing? Or is it possible to wait until it's time to replace the struts? Will it shorten the life of the strut?

 

Honestly I would just throw some black duct tape over the torn part and just replace it whenever you have the spring off the strut.

 

Not really.
Yes.
Yes.

I'd go with plasticknives' suggestion. I wouldn't bother pulling the strut for the torn boot - the tap ought to be enough.

 

Sounds good. I'll stick with the tape. Thank you for the advice.

 

when I discovered this on my Miata I was most distressed but for the most part the risk is small.

OTOH when I checked the car after having new shocks installed at the dealer and saw the torn boots

If not doing the job yourself .... ask . . . replacing boots was not included in my case