Coil Spring Rubber/Plastic Covers Falling off/Deteriorated

[jsm10]

I have a quick question I am hoping someone can help me with.  When I just put new shocks on the 2007 Silverado Classic 1500 2WD I just bought I noticed that there was some sort of partial covering on the coil spring at the bottom.  What I am talking about can be seen in this photo:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=12367169&cc=1433489&jsn=940

 

Only about 1/4 of this thing is left on both sides and what is left is brittle/cracking and falling apart.  I am also soon going to replace my inner/outer tie rods and will need to get the truck aligned. Am I OK to just break the rest of this out and just leave it that way or does this need to be fixed?  I really don't want to have to pull the coil springs if these things aren't really necessary.  I didn't want to leave the broken piece in there and get it aligned, because I was afraid it might slightly affect the camber.  Then, the rest of it falls out and I end up wasting an alignment.  I am guessing these are to cut down on metal-on-metal noise as the spring moves, but I am not sure.  Thanks in advance for any advise anyone can provide.

[Mike GMC]

I believe that is a form of a spring isolator.  It helps reduce spring clunks and noises.  It won't effect performance.

[jsm10]

Thanks!  I will just plan to ignore them, then.