How can you tell if Koni struts are worn out?

[turbovanman]

I bought some used Orange Koni struts, I was told they needed a rebuild but there not leaking and both seem to have the same rod friction?

[inmyshadow]

You could probably get them on a shock dyno for testing.

[turbovanman]

You could probably get them on a shock dyno for testing.

Where would I find one of those?

[BadAssPerformance]

High end race shop or road race team.

Or just call Koni and send them in.

[turbovanman]

High end race shop or road race team.

Or just call Koni and send them in.

I did, its like $165 each to overhaul them, :(

[BadAssPerformance]

Thought they have a "lifetime warranty" ?

[turbovanman]

Thought they have a "lifetime warranty" ?


Not if your the 2nd owner. This only applies to the original purchaser.

[glhs231]

I bought my 87 glhs new and when I called Koni a few months ago about the lifetime warrenty they said it didn't apply to our cars. Only the ford svo mustang got free rebuilds because ford paid extra for that. Heck they only have less than 52,000 miles on them.(Things just don't last anymore).

[turbovanman]

^^^^^^They fed you a line of crap, straight from there website-


BUILT FOR A LIFETIME

Last but not least, KONl's are built to last a lifetime. Once you have bought a set of KONl's for your car, they usually will outlive it. KONI street shocks carry a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser for as long as you own the vehicle.


and the link-

http://www.koni-na.com/whykoni.cfm

[glhs231]

I read that too. That's why I called them. They said something about not applying to struts that came with the vechicle, only if you buy them and then they are covered. I even offered to fax them a copy of my title. Maybe I'll call again and talk to a manager or someone.

[BadAssPerformance]

Regarding GLHS OEM stuff, yeah, go up the ranks and someone should hook you up. :thumb:


Not if your the 2nd owner. This only applies to the original purchaser.

A friend of mine just had Koni warranty a set of Focus struts he bought used, no problem.

[glhs231]

OK, thanks. I'll try again.

[glhs727]

I think the reasoning behind not warranting the koni's on the glhs is because they were NOT a factory item like on an svo or focus. They were in fact bought by Shelby, making him the original owner. I know they did do few warranties back in the late 80's early 90's for some glhs owners, but I think since the mid nineties they have not warrantied any of the glhs koni's.
later,
Cindy

[turbovanman]

A friend of mine just had Koni warranty a set of Focus struts he bought used, no problem.


How did he do that?

[BadAssPerformance]

How did he do that?

He found a number on their website and called them up. They never asked if he was the original owner or proof of original purchase or any BS.

[rbryant]

The rebuild is the same price as new ones if you have to pay for it.

For instance I think I messed up one of my coilovers now by cutting the shock body when removing the spring perch... I pretty much own the useless shock now. I could have it welded and rebuilt but it is cheaper to just get another one and be more careful.

The rebuilds also take months sometimes from the quotes I got for a set of GLHS rears.

-Rich

[turbovanman]

He found a number on their website and called them up. They never asked if he was the original owner or proof of original purchase or any BS.

Hmmmmmm, maybe I will try that.

Anyone know what the Orange ones came from? All I have seen are the Yellow and Red bodies?

[BadAssPerformance]

Hmmm... Not sure about Orange ???

[rbryant]

Hmmm... Not sure about Orange ???

I think orange and red are the same... Factory was orange but they then started shipping them in Red.

They aren't that consistent with colors sometimes. For instance The rears that I got from Cindy were yellow but were exactly the same valving as the stock GLHS. They really should have been red to be consistent, but then again who really cares.

-Rich

[Mario]

Hmmmmmm, maybe I will try that.

Anyone know what the Orange ones came from? All I have seen are the Yellow and Red bodies?

Did you ever get a hold of them?

[turbovanman]

Did you ever get a hold of them?

I never got around to it. I will have to call them one day, :nod:

[Mario]

I think I'm going to try and give them a ring monday.

[turbovanman]

I think I'm going to try and give them a ring monday.


Ok, let me know what they say.

[ShelbyZD]

From my knowledge... actually it was Chris Faulks.. heh.. but the Orange Koni's are better than the red ones. I thought about buying some myself.. but I just can't justify blowing $600+ on em. Bilestien's and Gas Adjusts will do just fine thanks.

[MiniMopar]

I have a set of oranges on my CSX (stock springs). I think I have something like 25k on them. The struts are shot. I have a set of reds on my Daytona (Eibachs). They are one year old. They are OK, but are set close to full stiff already and still have trouble dampening the front when compared to the rear (which are set full soft). The shocks hold up well, but I am really unimpressed with the struts.

Anyone else notice longevity issues with these? They are the best ones you can get in stock form, but they are not super-awesome or anything.

[rbryant]

Orange and red are the same. I think it was more of an OEM vs retail issue with the coloring. The valving is the same on them red or orange. The yellow ones that cindy sells should actually be red aswell if it was consistent but they happend to make them yellow that day because it was a custom job and that was the color they happend to be painting with...

Unless she changed something the valving is the same as the regular konis.

I talked to Koni about this when I setup my coilovers on my GLHS using daytona Konis.

-Rich

[Juggy]

I have Koni/Eibach (shadow spring) on my Spirit....first on a 93 V6 duster...

they have about 15,000 miles on them, and still work great....if people keep stock shocks/struts on cars for 75K miles i cant see why the konis couldnt hold up...

Ive also had the car in the air all 4 tires lifted off the ground, and came down and landed without bouncing all over the place, that was in the V6 duster tho.

[WickedShelby88]

There was a guy who road raced a porsche 911 who used to come to my shop for alignments. He SWORE by Bilsteins, but said Koni's were great too. He didn't have anything good to say about KYB. I wished I would of known about the KONI rebuilds on SVO's:banghead: I used to have one and traded it for a darn Chevy camaro. It had the orange ones though. I know that for a fact. The rear shocks seemed stiffer than the springs when I pulled them out to see if they were any good. When I check the strust it was quite comical as they were basically just there and had no resistance whatsoever. Both were adjustable, however. The fronts should have a knob on top for adjustment if I recall correctly. Last time I priced a set they were around 600+ depending on who you went through.

[Marcus86GLHS]

Koni Repair Services does a great job and $600 repair/restoration charge isnt bad for the kind of quality you get, if you have a GLHS you really should consider staying with the original style parts. Koni recently did these for my car:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/632000-632999/632619_362_full.jpg

[ShelbyMotorsports]

Koni Repair Services does a great job and $600 repair/restoration charge isnt bad for the kind of quality you get, if you have a GLHS you really should consider staying with the original style parts. Koni recently did these for my car:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/632000-632999/632619_362_full.jpg

But not the springs correct?

[Mario]

But not the springs correct?

He had them powdercoated by someone else, I believe.