Koni strut/shock adjustment

[SnakePlisskin]

I've read that the shocks/struts are adjustable. How is the adjustment actually done? Also does koni still make exact replacements for our cars?

Thanks in advance,
Ralph

[BrianM]

Fronts you turn the little adjustment knob on top ( with the plastic adjustment wheel or with a crescent wrench). Rears you have to compress by hand to engage the adjuster then twist. Yes Konistill makes the replacements although the top adjustment knob is slightly different. You can send your old units back to Koni for rebuild to retain stock adjusters but the cost is the same as buying new.

[Chalky]

To expand on Brian's comment, you have to remove the lower bolt on the rear shocks to do this correctly and SVO front struts are SVO specific.

[SnakePlisskin]

Ah ok, thanks guys! Would one purchase direct from koni or do you have a parts dealer you would use?

[Ford Builder]

Here is a link to buy direct. http://www.koni-na.com/index.cfm

[rodster]

I've been doing some research on Koni replacements myself.

A few thing I've discovered, some of which I knew, some of which I didn't. Koni's can be rebuilt, and under warranty if you are the original owner of the car. I think the valving of the replacements is the same as the revised valving found on the 85.5+. The adjuster on the top of the replacements is not 'exactly' the same as the original 'D' shape.

I will be calling Koni this week to get more info on rebuilding and will post what I find.

[Ford Builder]

Yes they rebuild our originals $ 150 each plus parts & plus shipping , I have been in touch with them.

[rodster]

Any idea on cost of 'parts'? Do they rebuild to 84 valving or the revised valving? Do we pay shipping both ways? What if they deem the units 'un-rebuildable'?

Thanks for the info.

[Ford Builder]

Parts is ? as what the needs as they may very, that they did not say they have view each one.

[SnakePlisskin]

Cool, thanks Ford Builder! It's like engine or transmission work, you don't really know all you'll need until you open it up.

[Ford Builder]

Glad I could help.

[rodster]

I think I will call them and ask what 'worse case' is. More than likely mine will need all new parts. ;) If not, the price will be less.

[SnakePlisskin]

Curious to hear your results after you call them Rodster.

[rodster]

Will do, they are closed for the holidays until 1/2/14 so I'll give them a few days to recover and then give them a call. :)

[brsvo]

I have a set of 85 struts they rebuilt for me it came to $450 and they paid shipping back. You can specify how you want them rebuilt as far as valving. I also told them I wanted the D adjuster retained. New ones don't have the D shape adjuster anymore.

[rodster]

Thanks for the info. I'm guessing you were happy with the rebuild? Any idea on the cost of the 'parts' or didn't they break it down to that detail? Did they look like new?

[brsvo]

Yes they did but its been a year and I don't remember well. They paint them as part of the rebuild but they don't re apply the stickers again. I never got them on the car but others have been real happy with their work.

[SnakePlisskin]

FYI I was slumming online parts catalogs and Mustangs Unlimited in Conn has our Koni struts for $489.95 new and free shipping. I used them a lot when I was in NY, great company!

[Ford Builder]

Only thing is they not adjustable like original struts.

[SnakePlisskin]

FB, it states they are adjustable. They also offer a koni adjuster knob for $8.

[Ford Builder]

Really thats new to me they must have changed them up very good to hear.

[SnakePlisskin]

FB, just checked again, they have the non adjustables also for $399 as well as the rear adj shocks $204 and quad shocks from koni $299, yay!

[rodster]

I've been slumming around for Koni prices too and found these places.


Front pair - $472 w/ free shipping here:

http://konimarket.com/collections/all/1984,ford,mustang

Front pair - $435 w/ free shipping here:

http://www.tunersdepot.com/1984-ford-mustang-shocks-struts/koni-special-shocks-svo-front-pair-20938.html?ref=google&gclid=CNSK2Z79jboCFapr7AodewcAVg

Front pair - $419 w/ free shipping here:

http://thmotorsports.com/koni/koni_shock_special_series/87411054/i-104583.aspx

Don't know anything about these businesses, was only shopping to see who stocked Koni's for our cars and the prices.

[k98dave]

Yep that's where I got mine. Price went up since, I paid $450 shipped. They are adjustable. Koni quoted $450 rebuild with me paying shipping.



FYI I was slumming online parts catalogs and Mustangs Unlimited in Conn has our Koni struts for $489.95 new and free shipping. I used them a lot when I was in NY, great company!

[SnakePlisskin]

good work Rod! $419 would be an awesome price! not so much price for rears.

the $435 is for rears also. the $472 is for front sturts adj.

[SnakePlisskin]

eh, that $419 is for rear adj. Listed as a clearance item. I wouldn't buy from them then, if they even have any still. Most of these no name sites never update listings. I'll stick to large known companies, summit,jegs,mustangs unlimited,etc. Never had an issue with them for any returns or warranties.

Remember the old saying, you get what you pay for!

[rodster]

eh, that $419 is for rear adj. Listed as a clearance item. I wouldn't buy from them then, if they even have any still. Most of these no name sites never update listings. I'll stick to large known companies, summit,jegs,mustangs unlimited,etc. Never had an issue with them for any returns or warranties.

Remember the old saying, you get what you pay for!

Hmm, unless we are looking at different sties, $419 ($209.70x2) is for adjustable fronts, not a clearance item. The picture is For Display Purposes Only.

They have a 800# so if I buy from them I'd call first.

I agree you have to be careful of low prices but there are bargains out there if you shop around. I got some killer deals on Ford Truck brake parts from Rockauto that are hard to believe. ;)

6084


6085

[SnakePlisskin]

rod, the pic is a rear shock and not even correct for a fox body. I saw the pic and that was that. I'm very visual! damn intrawebs and fineprint! It calls them shocks but should say struts,hmmm. I see at bottom right it says front for position. They really should get a new web designer!

[rodster]

Yea, I agree, it was a bit confusing so I had to double/triple check.

[MikeFleming]

rod, the pic is a rear shock and not even correct for a fox body. I saw the pic and that was that. I'm very visual! damn intrawebs and fineprint! It calls them shocks but should say struts,hmmm. I see at bottom right it says front for position. They really should get a new web designer! Generic pictures are very common on the interwebs. That's all you'll find at Summitt and Jegs, for example.

If the description doesn't match what you're looking for, call them and chat with a human.

[stott]

Maximum Motorsports has a good selection of Koni struts/shocks. I went with them, as they were having a sale.

Can someone explain the adjustment procedure for the rears though? What do you mean when you say you have to compress the shock to adjust it? How is that possible while in the vehicle? If it makes a difference, I don't have the stock reds, but rather these yellow ones (single adjustable) http://www.maximummotorsports.com/Koni-Single-Adjustable-Shock-1987-04-solid-axle-Mustang-P1333.aspx

Thanks

[MikeFleming]

Take the lower shock mount bolt off, remove the lower portion of the shock form the axle bracket.

Using all of your muscle form under the back of the car, push the shock body up until it hits the hard stop when it get fully collapsed. While holding it fully compressed, rotate it to where it stops completely (iirc anti-clockwise is full hard - it's marked on the shock body) then unwind it the specific number of desired turns.

Re-fit the shock lower mount to the axle bracket, re-install bolt/nut, torque to spec (18-24 Ft-Lbs, Iirc.)

Lather, rinse, repeat on other side.

Alternately you can get the Double-Adjustable units and twist the upper/lower knobs. But note they are considered only for racing applications and come with a 90 day warranty from KONI. For more $$

[stott]

Hmm. What is the twist thing for then on the top of the shocks (accessible from inside the car) ?

[MikeFleming]

Hmm. What is the twist thing for then on the top of the shocks (accessible from inside the car) ? "Standard" KONIs in the SVO era do not have a top twist knob for the rear. Afaik, only the DA units have a top adjustment.

[SVOC]

The rear shocks are NOT adjustable from the top, like Mitch explained the REAR shock must be compressed by hand then rotated to the desired dampening effect. (personally I remove them from the car to adjust)

Only the front struts are externally adjusted from the top using either a Koni Key or a pair of pliers.

[SnakePlisskin]

Found a koni adjustment knob for front struts in the svo today! yay! and .12 cents and two candies of unknown age.

[MikeFleming]

... and .12 cents and two candies of unknown age. Any crayons??

[SVOC]

http://www.koni.com/car-racing/technology/adjustment/ (http://www.koni.com/car-racing/technology/adjustment/)



http://youtu.be/rxPB-yJ0sds




Hopefully the two links above will clarify, that may have been missed.

Now of course if it isn't quite obvious the SVO have the Koni ""Classics" on the rear, they are single adjustable.

[SnakePlisskin]

No crayons, yet. lol

[MikeFleming]

That's a weird video. He talks about removing the spacer but instead takes off the rubber bump stop and leaves the white spacer in place.

[rodster]

Any crayons??

Hopefully red!

[SnakePlisskin]

That's a weird video. He talks about removing the spacer but instead takes off the rubber bump stop and leaves the white spacer in place.
He's a zombie!