KGM323, thank you, your post is substantial, but look at date of previous post - BrysonWood doesn't want present on the forum, how we can judge by his posts quantity :(
1996 - this is BA model, 2nd generation. Z5 engine. MAF is very important stuff for injection engines. Clean or buy another - action depends on the current state of your MAF. If it is just dirty - try clean it, if you think that it doesn't work - try to get another one (junkyyard etc) for test...
That's my first post too, I'll be gentle:
Yes, there is way to buy new rubber bump stop and rubber boot separately for each of shock absorber. So, if your shocks feel fine you don't need to replace the whole assembly. Just rubber components :)