Ok, I replaced my shocks last weekend and got to wondering what is the purpose of the black rubber dohickey washer separating the two top shock bolts?



I never noticed before (after 23 years of ownership) but it sits about 1/8 inch proud of the fender so it seems rather useless as a bushing. Is it a splash guard to keep you from spilling your beer on the shock absorber while you're futilely trying to find the latest vacuum hose leak?

 

I used to know what that was for............ I'm getting so old

 

My guess is it to cover the big hole underneath

Or it''s there to prompt questions on why it is there

 

I would guess it's some type of dust cover. Not sure if it's necessarily critical, but I'm sure it doesn't hurt to have.

 

To my understanding it is a stopper to limit the movement of the threaded part of the shock, I imagine the shock would have to fail for it to come into play.