Nissan Repair: struts-EMERGENCY, piston rod, spring assembly

Question
ive got the car taken apart tryin to replace the struts/i see now that the spring isnt included in the pkg from autozone and there is a rubber "boot" that is cracked...is the boot neccesary to repair the strut?
AND do i have to take the entire spring assembly apart to put on the strut?

Answer
Mike,

Reuse your spring and you should have a new boot as it keeps the new piston rod clean.  But, if you are in a hurry you can reuse your cracked one and it will do for now.  Autozone should have a spring compressor to get your spring off to put on to the new strut.  Yes, put your spring on the new strut.