You're worried about grime on your shaft?
Uh, anyway, I wouldn't worry about it. Without the boots, all the grime should stay off and not attach. The only real issue is potentially hitting a rock or soemthing with the shaft and damaging it, but I suppose a strike that would damage the shaft would probably crack open the canister, so you'd be screwed either way and more so if the canister were cracked open.
Looks like I'm going to be cracking open my leaf packs again. I ordered the SLR AAL's to replace the Ranchos. I think with all that weight I have in back they will work better and it would be more safe to add shackles if I need to. I almost ordered a whole new pack, but I don't want to spend that much. Sure are nice though!
