On rear struts, what are people doing with the dust boot? The old ones were pretty ratty so we purchased new ones and they just aren't long enough. Granted the struts are full extension now with no weight on them (1st picture green arrow), but even with full weight, there is still a gap. The boots came with what looks like a bumper I think - looks like originally it would go on the end of the shaft where the aluminum spacer is now. I'm thinking to hollow out the center further and put it like the green arrow in picture #2. Other options?
Also in 3rd picture, the tab for the upper plate rotated to this position naturally. It puts the deepest part of the top plate towards the right rear of the car (directly opposite the tab). Looking around at the forums, it seems there are several pictures with different positions, so is there a "correct" or best reasonable orientation of the top plate?