Update on Koni FSD Shocks

[TerryO]

Many of you would have read previously on here that I have had some issues with the Koni FSD shocks I had fitted late last year. Initially they were excellent and transformed the D3 into a exceptional handling vehicle for a 4x4.

Anyway after a telephone call to the importer of Koni they agreed to replace them under warranty. It took me a couple of months to take the D3 in so that is why the long delay in reporting back on the outcome.

What went wrong? One of the shocks had blown its seals and was leaking oil into the airbag so it wasn't obvious that the shock had blown looking at it while fitted to the vehicle. It felt like the other shocks had lost most of their dampening as well.

So how is the D3 handling with the new Koni shocks fitted? Well so far I can say its got its handling mojo back. ...

I will report back in as I click up the kilometers on how they are going. Big thanks to Koni for replacing the shocks without any hassle.

cheers,
Terry

[Graeme]

Did they tell you which corner had the blown seal and if so, can you now reconcile the vehicle's behaviour with a dud shock in that position?

[TerryO]

Hi Graeme,

the shock that leaked oil was the rear drivers side. The rest of the shocks felt like they had also lost much of their dampening compared to what they were like when they were good though. But the ride wasn't dangerous, that might have been a different case though if it had been a front shock. The fact that I was comfortable to wait nearly two months to take it in to have them replaced shows that I didn't feel to uncomfortable with them.

I was more concerned about an airleak that couldn't be found that had the vehicle dropping down by over half overnight. While they had all the shocks off they tested the bags with the shocks fitted and they believe they weren't leaking, so time will tell if that issue has been resolved as well or not. ...If I could be that lucky!

I also had the compressor replaced at the same time as that was nearly stuffed and very slow.

To be frank even with the Koni shocks not in good shape in general it didn't handle any worse then when the original old shocks were still fitted.

The workshop I bought them from in Canberra who did the work on replacing them said that Koni here had just received a new batch of shocks that had different internals. So it will be interesting to see what difference if any.

cheers,
Terry

[Redback]

No excuses now, even photo evidence won't save you this time

Baz.

[Graeme]

KONI shocks for D3/D4 are currently unavailable in Australia and there is no ETA for them. Development work is being undertaken by the Australian importers in conjunction with Koni for more suitable valving for Australian conditions.

[TerryO]

The Koni importer who I spoke with last week has decided not to import them until the factory can say for sure 100% why some have failed on D3/4's when they have no issue with other vehicles.

Seriously I can not fault the importers reaction to the various issues I have faced with these shocks as they have aged.

cheers,
Terry

[Epic pooh]

Really appreciate your updates wrt your adventures with the Koni's Terry.

Having had Koni's in various vehicles over the years they were my preference for the D3 (@125km, my shocks feel to be well past their use by date!), reading the saga makes me think that I may be best served with a fresh set of OEM Delphis ... any other comments or suggestions would be much appreciated !

Cheers,
Mick

[TerryO]

You can now buy brand new Delphi branded suspension including airbags, unbolt old, bolt in new for much less than what you could buy just airbags for even just a year ago.

Justin in Tassie I know fitted all four corners with these Delphi branded shocks a number of months ago, it would be good to know from him how they are going now.

cheers,
Terry

[Epic pooh]

Ta, that was on my mind as the least hassle option and as a route to avoiding airbag issues for (another 7 hopefully) years to come. From a labor & convenience point of view it makes a lot of sense and, as much as I would like the additional agility bestowed by a set of Konis (even the Mrs is a bit sad that they seem to be a no-go). I guess the OEM's have lasted and done pretty well all things considered (age/mileage/use).

I was going to scope out a few suppliers, Karcraft Sydney seem well regarded - any others you'd recommend ?

Cheers,
Mick

[Graeme]

@125km, my shocks feel to be well past their use by date!

My vehicle is now becoming dangerous at speed and very uncomfortable at any speed after only 60k kms so I'd like to fit shocks that last longer with my usage than standard D3 shocks.