Worn Koni ?

[Mr Starlet]

Hi everyone

Finally had a chance to take out the springs to check shock condition. The two rears are pretty consistent, but front left is significantly softer in jounce than front right, bounce feels the same though. Is jounce a significant issue? how much should it cost to rebuild?, should I be rebuilding both to maintain consistency?.

Cheers
Minh

UPDATE:

Did abit more research and realised I've used the wrong term.
By jounce, I mean compression; and bounce, I mean rebound.

Is there a trick to adjusting compression so that I could match the two front struts?...fully compressed then turn knob? something like that?. It's bizare how the rebound is still consistence but the compression is soft on one side.

Would it make much difference if I was use the way it is?...you would think a lot of the compression forces are taken up but the springs, I suppose the compression damping helps control spring compression rate.

Sorry, total brain dump mess at the moment

[Mr Starlet]

* TSR (Total Shockabsorber Reconditioner), Slack Creek - Been here before they don't seem very professional, $98 base service.

* GSA (Wholesale Suspensions) - Across the road from TSR, sounds pretty good on the phone; only recons Koni and guarantee genuine replacement parts, $130 base service.

* W.W Shock Absorber, Virginia - $120 total service regardless of worn parts...

Anyone had their Konis recon in the past? workshop recommendations in Brisbane?

[JBT]

Try Fulcrum. Avoid WW.

[Mr Starlet]

Try Fulcrum. Avoid WW.

Thanks JBT, called Fulcrum this morning and going by what they were saying; they charge significantly more just for checkup...by the time they finish rebuilding I'd be up for the cost a new one.

Known problem with WW? they include strut Dyno afterwards as well.

[Slugoid]

I rebuilt my Koni's at Top performance (Koni distributor in Melb) and I remember getting my front pair fixed (one of them had a bent eye bolt) and reconditioned for $150. No cost for checkup, and they even had my rear pair checked at no cost. Just to give you an idea in price.

The Koni Aus website says Fulcrum and GSA are the main distributors in Brisbane, so if Fulcrum is too expensive go with GSA. $130 sounds about right if it's for one pair.

[Mr Starlet]

...The Koni Aus website says Fulcrum and GSA are the main distributors in Brisbane, so if Fulcrum is too expensive go with GSA. $130 sounds about right if it's for one pair.

$150 for the pair is cheap, the $130 quote I mentioned was for the ONE strut...and that's just for base service (new oil, new rubber seals etc, not including valving work if required)

[Slugoid]

It could be cheaper if you sent the shocks to Melb, get them reconditioned, and send them back . $130 for a struct is almost half the cost of a brand new one.

How many shocks are you planning on rebuilding?

[Abyss]

The first set of Konis I ever bought were from accurate suspension at Woodridge. They revalved them when I bought them to match the springs and never had an issue with them.

This was quite a few years ago and they are till in the same spot.

I would give them a ring and see what they can do:

Accurate Suspension
2/9 Timms Court
Woodridge

3808 2878

[JBT]

....called Fulcrum this morning and going by what they were saying; they charge significantly more just for checkup...by the time they finish rebuilding I'd be up for the cost a new one.

MX-5 Club Discount?

Known problem with WW? they include strut Dyno afterwards as well.

Thery're good for repairs to lever arm shocks (MGB) but I'd go elsewhere for the Konis.

[Mr Starlet]

Ended up dropping them off TSR, cheaper they are but they do have a long list of happy customers, myself include (from the Starlet days); better the devil you know I guess. Fingers cross everything goes well, if so I might get them back at the end of the day in time for the installation this weekends.

Cheers
Minh

[Mr Starlet]

Ok finally!, after what started out as being a simple strut change, eventuate to that plus Kings springs, machined rotors, new pads, brake and clutch flush...I'm bugged!, and I was even thinking about bigger brakes.

Anyway it's all done now; went for a test drive with Konis on the softest all the way around...quite impressed with the ride quality, not sure if the shocks contribute to anything at all but it felt like there's a little more body roll than the harder settings. Went for another spin on 1 turn firm and boi the difference was quite noticable...wonder what's full 2.25 turn (firmest) would be like...

Quite impressed with the recon work, Simon at TSR really knows his stuff.

Will I need an alignment?...I know I should but theoretically if for some miracle I was able to maintain the same ride height on all four corner as previously than I guess geometry should still be the same?...in that case an alignment is uneccessary?...how much of a change in ride height will seriously affect geometry/handling?

Should I give it some time/km for the suspension to set before taking to aligner?

Sorry for the pile of Qs....still a newbee I guess

Cheers
Minh