Info wanted on how to rebuild Koni's (is it possible??).

Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres questions and answers

Moderators: timk, Stu, -alex, miata, zombie, Andrew

User avatar
fastfreddygassit
Waitin' for a mate
Posts: 1773
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 8:00 pm
Vehicle: NB SE
Location: Waitin' for a mate in Melbourne somewhere
Contact:

Info wanted on how to rebuild Koni's (is it possible??).

Postby fastfreddygassit » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:01 pm

:arrow: I have the ubiquitous Koni adjustable (rebound dampening not compression) dampeners (the ones with the 3 different spring perch heights) on my darling NA8 which once used to be on PCMX5's car. I have no major problems with them but i know from my bikes that rebuilding dampeners (changing the oil) makes a significant difference to the dampeners performance.
Can these units be rebuilt by the home mechanic, more to the point, does anyone have information on how to rebuild them?
I am after dissassembly/reassembly instructions, type and weight of oil used, and is it possible to change the dampening (ie. enlarge or weld/decrease orifice hole size)?
I will post the units model designation as I am unsure if they are single or twin chamber design. I assume they are single chamber.
Has anyone done this before? i know an authorised Koni service centre will do this but dollar$$ is what I am trying to save.
I can do m/cycle forks (USD and conventional) in my sleep but I have never tried a car unit before.
cheers :mrgreen:

User avatar
Matty
Racing Driver
Posts: 1652
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: Melbourne
Contact:

Postby Matty » Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:53 am

I think they'd be hard to DIY rebuild, but they are certainly rebuildable. They're (AFAIK) a twin-tube design, and are pressurised, the latter making DIY difficult...

Talk to the local supplier... (Toperformance)

User avatar
pcmx5
Racing Driver
Posts: 1650
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: ND - 2
Location: Geelong Vic.
Contact:

Postby pcmx5 » Fri Mar 31, 2006 3:42 pm

Hell ,Michael they shouldn't be stuffed already!!

The fronts had only done about 10-12k and the rears about 20K(all very gently dríven too!)

Peter.
.Now ND2 Roadster prev NC2 Recaro's ,BBS wheels,full exhaust, Tiens NA 1.6.NA 1.8 LE(106RWKW)NC1,NC2.ND 1.5 .

User avatar
fastfreddygassit
Waitin' for a mate
Posts: 1773
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 8:00 pm
Vehicle: NB SE
Location: Waitin' for a mate in Melbourne somewhere
Contact:

Re:

Postby fastfreddygassit » Sun Apr 02, 2006 2:22 pm

pcmx5 wrote:Hell ,Michael they shouldn't be stuffed already!!

The fronts had only done about 10-12k and the rears about 20K(all very gently dríven too!)

Peter.


Peter, the shocks are ace!! :D They are DEFINATELY not stuffed.
I am just wanting to "play around" with dampening. You know, fine tune things et al.
I really just wanted to increase the compression dampening (as the Eibach springs are quite soft) via some heavier weight oil. With m/bike forks, an oil change is super-easy. Playing with valving and seals gets a touch harder.
So....I just wanted to find out if it was possible to change the oil....easily.
It appears not :frown:

So, I am just going to turf the Eibachs and put in my original lowered Kings in.

BTW Peter, when is your next early morning breakfast run to Apollo Bay happening??
:mrgreen:

User avatar
fastfreddygassit
Waitin' for a mate
Posts: 1773
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 8:00 pm
Vehicle: NB SE
Location: Waitin' for a mate in Melbourne somewhere
Contact:

Re:

Postby fastfreddygassit » Sun Apr 02, 2006 2:31 pm

pcmx5 wrote:
The fronts had only done about 10-12k and the rears about 20K(all very gently dríven too!)

Peter.


Ummm, just as an aside....where did you pull
pcmx5 wrote:(all very gently dríven too!)
from? I have seen how you drive!! :D :shock: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :P

User avatar
pcmx5
Racing Driver
Posts: 1650
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: ND - 2
Location: Geelong Vic.
Contact:

Postby pcmx5 » Mon Apr 03, 2006 2:44 pm

Hi Michael,

I am thinking about going to AB again on Sat. morning unless it is pissing down.

I will have a couple of mates going and we will probably leave around 6.30-45 so we avoid all the terrorists, breakfast at the bakery and be home around 9(probably inland).

If you are interested give me a call later in the week.

We have our 3 dayx2 auditors quality system audit this Thursday-Friday so I will be looking to break out this weekend.

My pace is a factor of my advanced years,justslowing down gradually!!!!

Peter.
.Now ND2 Roadster prev NC2 Recaro's ,BBS wheels,full exhaust, Tiens NA 1.6.NA 1.8 LE(106RWKW)NC1,NC2.ND 1.5 .

Casey
Racing Driver
Posts: 749
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: Canberra
Contact:

Re:

Postby Casey » Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:40 pm

fastfreddygassit wrote:So, I am just going to turf the Eibachs and put in my original lowered Kings in.


I'm sure that there are any number of owners who would beat a path to your door to swap their Kings for your unwanted Eibachs.
White SP Image


Return to “MX5 Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests