Front shock top plate fitting method

[olr159w]

On both the Triumphs I've ever had - the 1500TC before and the Sprint now - the front shock upper mounting has had non-setting blu-tack-like mastic run around the top of the shock assy top plates such that when the three bolts are tightened at the top of the suspension turret this mastic sort of fills the gaps between the spacer washers as it gets squashed by the tightening process.

Is this standard? Does everybody have this and do you maintain it when refitting shock assys?

Or do you keep it all completely clean and just allow the assy to sit proud of the turret, contacting it only via the spacer washer on each of the three bolts?

I had always assumed the mastic was there to provide some sort of sound or vibration deadening but now as I look at it I'm wondering a) whether its usual and b) what the point of it is?

Thoughts?

Thanks

[SprintMWU773V]

It's Dum Dum or something similar. For the rears it makes more sense as it provides a degree of water sealing, for the front perhaps no great advantage. Must admit I forgot it was used on the front and have installed mine without, though I could easily take them out and add some.