What are these for? just to keep the springs from squeking or do they affect the ride any?

reason im asking is I need to re-index my springs cause I think thye are not in there correctly and I may want to remove the isolators and replace them with rubber hoses but I dont want to do that if they are going to affect the ride and make it not correct and not allow the springs to function right..

any input?

 

they are definitely there so the springs dont rub the metal, they also seem to keep the spring in place..

 

I was told not to take them out by many people and mecanics.....so i would leave em in,,,,,,,without them it sweeks and grinds when your springs are working.