And it rattles a lot. Do I need to take the plastic off the old shock that goes under the spring and put on the new ones? What about the spacer at the top? I figured if I need that stuff it would come with the new ones. My new ones are Gabriel.

 

There should be no rattle. There is a cushion on the old shocks that should be used with the new. The dust sleeve is recommended, but maybe not necessary. Basically, everything but the shock should be reused if in good shape or not supplied.