Experiences with Koni's and adjusting them as they get old?

[langy]

An inquiry if I may - I've had to replace the shocks on my RR ( the old set were Koni's). During my searches on shocks I've found some listings for places which reco or rebuild shcoks. The question is, has anyone had a set of Koni's (or Bilsteins) rebuilt, and was it worth it- or, have they performed as well as a new set. The Disco needs new shocks - and if the rebuild option is viable, the Koni's are headed that way.

EXTRA: A little more searching, and it maybe that it is only normal wear that occurred and caused some problems ( Feathering of OSF and the shakes). it may be that the Koni's only need adjustment.

I found the following on Koni's and what adjustments relate to the valving.

(Completely compress the shock so the adjuster teeth engage in the body - you can then feel resistance as you wind the main body in - clockwise/increase or out - anti clockwise/decrease)

1/2 turn 10% - 15%
1 turn (360 degrees) 25-30%
1.5 turns 50%
2 turns 75-80%
2.5 turns 90-100%

the rough recommendation was half a turn on detecting wear - and that new shocks start low (?)

Does anyone with adjustable Koni's actually had to adjust theirs and what do they run them at ?

[PAT303]

I found that my old bilsteins were 2/3rds the price of new Koni's so I bought the koni's.The billies were battered as they had been around Oz so that played a part and I have found the koni's are valved just right for LR's and are just a straight bolt out bolt in job. Pat

[langy]

Anyone adjusted their Koni's?

[Dougal]

Anyone adjusted their Koni's?

Yes.
My rear konis are over 15 years old and still behave as they should (no need to readjust).
My front konis I replaced just recently with longer ones (landcruiser 80).

If they do 2.5 turns, then they're low pressure twin-tube shocks. I had a set of these in the front for 15 years. I recall running them around 3/4 turn in when they were stock. But I also revalved these myself a few times and changed the oil too.

The high pressure gas/hydraulic shocks have 4 clicks of adjustment. I think I run on #3. at the moment.

[loanrangie]

Yes.
My rear konis are over 15 years old and still behave as they should (no need to readjust).
My front konis I replaced just recently with longer ones (landcruiser 80).

If they do 2.5 turns, then they're low pressure twin-tube shocks. I had a set of these in the front for 15 years. I recall running them around 3/4 turn in when they were stock. But I also revalved these myself a few times and changed the oil too.

The high pressure gas/hydraulic shocks have 4 clicks of adjustment. I think I run on #3. at the moment.

Dougal, how do you adjust the gassed koni's ? never be able to compress them to engage the teeth.

[Dougal]

Dougal, how do you adjust the gassed koni's ? never be able to compress them to engage the teeth.

They're different internally to the twin-tubes. With no foot valve the adjustment is on the main piston.
You pull down the plastic stone shield, lift up the plastic seal cover and there's a button underneath. Hold that down while rotating the shaft and you can feel the clicks.

[rick130]

Dougal, the twin tube low pressure gas ones adjust the same as the old twin tube ones. The mono tubes adjust as you've described.

Langy, I've rebuilt, revalved and fluffed around with Koni's for years.

Ring Jeff at Proven Products in Albury to see if they are worth rebuilding.
If your dampers are really worn enough to feather tyres an adjustment wont bring them back. You can try it, but is it really the damper ?

What happens when you bounce that corner ? does it continue to oscillate ? does it compress more easily than the other corners ?
When you go for a drive across some corrugations, does it thump and skip a little on that corner ? does it float a little driving across an undulation or shallow dip ?