Rear Shock Installation Question

[Lucky13]

I'm looking for some help with the rear shock installation on my 87 Carrera that has Bilstein HD's installed by the prior owner.

Q1 - I noticed that upper rubber bushings are mounted one on top of the other with the large flat washer on top all secured by the nut. The cone shaped rubber bushings are mounted with both wide ends together in the middle (narrow ends on the top of the shock tower and under the large washer. Is this the correct installation?

Q2 - I've noticed that the dust shield makes contact or rubs on the body of the shock as evidence by rub marks (on both the right and left shock). I can see the dust shield isn't centered around the shock when looking from the bottom up. Any recommendations on how to get the dust shield centered?

Q3 - How tight do I tighten the top nut on the shock? I was thinking the Q2 rub problem might be resolved by tightening the top nut. Currently I can see about 3 threat lengths above the nut.

Q'S - Is it advisable run without the dust covers installed as I don't want to run the risk of rubbing a hole in shock (the car is only driven about 1K a year for the last several years)?

[ganun]

Q1. Should have only a rubber on top and one from the bottom, don't remember which way the cones go, small ends towards each other or the other way.
Q2. Possibly the way the bushings were installed don't center the shield
Q3 Till it stops.
Q4 No, it needs to keep the rod clean.

[JAR0023]

Photo helps a ton. You have good answers in both threads. I install the bushings fat rounded sides towards the middle b/c I think it gives more surface area where they mate against both sides of the shock tower sheet metal. Correcting the bushings should correct you dust shield. Have fun accessing the right hand shock. -J