Are shocks rubber boots usually not secured?

[A Khan]

I have a 91 300E that I just bought and while cleaning the tires I noticed the rubber protectors or boot thatis covering the shocks is not closed at the bottom. However, there is a plastic tie that has like five spikes which I suppose was covering the rubber boot but the rubber booth may have pulled out. This is on both front wheels. Is this common on all 300E's? I am afraif of water getting inside the rubber boots.

[Chris E.]

Bilstein only guarantees the shocks if the boots are in place. Dirt gets on the metal shaft and eventually kills the seal, then they leak, and fail. Replace or reset the boots in place.