Koni Clasic shock absorber adjustment

Technical advice Q&A

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Roger's E Type
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#1 Koni Clasic shock absorber adjustment

Post by Roger's E Type » Sun Mar 01, 2015 3:58 am

1966 Series 1 2 + 2
Hi all,
Hopefully I am not being a pain in asking this question but I have tried the "Search" function under the Subject of this Post but without success.
My car is fitted with Koni shocks with an adjustment knob.
Is there a Post someone can point me too that talks about how to use that knob to adjust the shocks?
Also, please let me know if there is a Post that assists in how to use the Search function on the Forum. I do try to find relevant Posts, without success.
Incidentally, I often comment on here about how good the forum is and recently I was able to repay the favours I have received, in a very small way, by providing some help to a member with a leaking half shaft seal - although by private message.
Cheers, Roger

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abowie
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#2

Post by abowie » Sun Mar 01, 2015 5:19 am

The Koni shocks I have can't be adjusted on the car; you need to take them off and twist them. The cynics among us might say that the real reason for the adjustablity is to allow for wear over time.
I do have some Gaz shocks with an adjustment knob. My knowledge of shocks is fairly rudimentary and there will be others on the forum better able to answer this than me.
My simplistic approach is this. The harder your front shocks, the firmer the ride and the more understeer you'll get. Similarly, the softer the front shock the more the front will move and you'll tend to get oversteer.
What I do is set the shocks on the middle position and drive the car and go from there. To be honest the middle position on the Konis is fine for the fairly sedate driving I do; if anything I think I'd like it a bit softer. The Gaz shocks are on my (still) unregisterd 3.8 OTS.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1979 MGB (supercharged).
Adelaide, Australia

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ralphr1780
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#3

Post by ralphr1780 » Sun Mar 01, 2015 8:16 am

Similarly to Andrew, I have Konis on my S2 ots, the adjustable onesthat you need to take off and twist. I initially ran them mid way and after some time adjusted the front half turn firmer. Since quite satisfied.
On my S1 ots knob adjustable gaz shocks are mounted,but I have no clue on the ride and performance as will not be ready to run before a good year. But have already adjusted to mid position.
Ralph
'69 OTS + '62 OTS - Belgium

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jag68
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#4

Post by jag68 » Mon Mar 02, 2015 12:07 am

I've been running my '68 ots on Spax and Gaz adjustable shocks for the last 15 years. Starting at the midway point is a good compromise. The softest setting will result in the rear bottoming even on mild dips, though it's certainly comfortable for cruising. Hard is really hard. These adjustable shocks are really great when you have a fully loaded car - passenger, luggage and a full tank - then you want the rears harder.
1967 E Type coupe
1968 E Type OTS
2007 XKR

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Heuer
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#5 Re: Koni Clasic shock absorber adjustment

Post by Heuer » Mon Mar 02, 2015 2:25 am

Roger's E Type wrote: I have tried the "Search" function under the Subject of this Post but without success.
viewtopic.php?t=3847
David Jones
S1 OTS OSB
1997 Porsche 911 Guards Red
2024 Lexus LBX

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Roger's E Type
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#6 Koni Classic rear shockabsorber adjustment

Post by Roger's E Type » Mon Aug 24, 2015 7:35 am

Thanks for all the replies and the hints on Searching.
The Koni Classics, which are fitted to the rear, actually have two knobs on each shock to turn. They each have 44 turns from hard to soft and I have tried a range of settings with 20 from the soft limit the current setting. When ever I adjust them I set each of the 4 knobs to exactly the same.
Can anyone suggest why two knobs per shocker - are they setting compression and rebound (if there is such a thing).
Cheers, Roger

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mgcjag
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#7

Post by mgcjag » Mon Aug 24, 2015 7:57 am

Hi Roger...just done a quick Google search..2 knob koni adjustable..brings up lots of info and YouTube clips.. Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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Roger's E Type
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#8

Post by Roger's E Type » Mon Aug 24, 2015 9:55 pm

Thanks Steve, I had done a search previously but at your suggestion I worked out a more specific query and found the Australian agents. Have since emailed them and awaiting a reply. My apologies for being so dumb. Cheers, Roger

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jag68
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#9 KONI's

Post by jag68 » Fri Aug 28, 2015 3:48 pm

Hi Roger

True competition shocks (read expensive) have separately adjustable settings for jounce (compression) and rebound. On the single knob adjustable shocks the engineers have combined both - more hardness equates to more on compression and rebound. (There are adjustable shocks around that only permit the rebound setting to be altered, but fortunately they are rare (I hope)). Typically the compression setting is much softer than the rebound setting so the ride is less jarring, but still controlled by the harder rebound setting. On your car I think it a matter of starting with the compression setting - adjust it to where you are comfortable and the car doesn't bottom out on rolling dips etc. Then adjust the rebound again to what you find comfortable. It's hard to explain but you'll know when you drive over some dips at higher speeds what works for you.


Terry Sturgeon
1967 E Type coupe
1968 E Type OTS
2007 XKR

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