Settings for Koni Red's ?

[CanadianTSi]

I just picked up a set a Koni Red's front and rear.

I was wondering if anyone had any input as to which settings I should put them on before I install them, since they are only adjustable off the car.

BTW the car has the Eiback pro-kit springs and I drag once a month with the ocassional circuit track racing thrown in.

Thanks

 

[Addict]

The Reds are non-adjustable.

Unless I missed something.

 

[CanadianTSi]

According to the Box and the Instruction inside the box they are Adjustable, but only Outside of the car.

You have to fully depress them and then turn them.

 

[jtmcinder]

No! It's the exact opposite. To adjust a Koni Special (aka Koni Red) you must fully extend the shock and press the button (hidden under the dust shield). Counter-clockwise is softer; clockwise is stiffer.

- Jtoby

 

[Addict]

Originally posted by jtmcinder
No! It's the exact opposite. To adjust a Koni Special (aka Koni Red) you must fully extend the shock and press the button (hidden under the dust shield). Counter-clockwise is softer; clockwise is stiffer.

- Jtoby

And there you have it. I did miss something.

 

[Todd TCE]

You could both be right.

The older Konis did as was stated in the first reply; you depressed the shaft all the way down and gently turn them to a 'set' position which you can feel, then rotate them through about 1.75 complete turns from full soft to full hard. I believe that CW is harder but you'll know when you pull up on the shaft which way you went!

The latet 30 series gas shocks are mostly 'button' operated; while rotating the shaft slightly you press down on the chrome cap buttton on the top of the housing, when this falls into place you can then turn the upper shaft through either the same amount of travel as above or on some; four clicks of adjustment. When you are where you want to be let up on the button and wiggle the shaft a bit and button pops up- its a lock pin.

Which you have it unknown- if there is no button on the top of the housing then that'll tell you. Both designs are rebound dampeners btw.

 

[jtmcinder]

I had no idea that older Koni Specials were different ... thanks, Todd. To complete my understanding, can you explain what type of rebound bleed adjuster is involved? I assume that it isn't a pin-nearing-hole type. That it's something closer to (recent) Koni Yellows, where the bleed holes get covered by something, but I like to know more.

Also, I'm pretty sure that what the poster has is the recent version of a Koni Red, because I'm pretty sure that Koni didn't used to make a Red for 2G DSMs, but, again, I have to admit that I'm not sure, but would like to know.

- Jtoby

 

[Todd TCE]

http://www.koni.com/_cars/frame.html

That didn't work right.
Go here, then to Cars, then General Info, then iinstallation manuals, and click 'adjustments'

 

[jtmcinder]

Thanks.

If I'm reading those pictures correctly, the old-style Reds (76, 80, 82, 84, & 86) adjust by covering/exposing a bleed tube that goes around the piston head, though the end of the shaft. In contrast, the new-style Reds (26 & 30) adjust by covering/exposing bleed passages in the piston head, itself. Does that sound right?

That URL didn't have a cut-away of Koni Yellows, but I can add one here, in case anyone is interested.

- Jtoby

 

[CanadianTSi]

Where would this chrome button be??

The Instructions that Came with the shocks show a illustration that says to clamp them in a vice, fully depress them, then turn them.

 

[Todd TCE]

If you dont' see the button, then there is no button.

Follow my instructions above and bring up the koni pages. There's the proper pic there of the ones you have.

 

[jtmcinder]

The other thing that you can do to try to figure out what to do is look for the model # of the shock.

If it's a 26 or 30, then keep looking for the button. It should be under the dust boot. Then you extend the shock and push in the button and turn the shaft to adjust.

If it's a 76, 80, 82, 84, or 86, then there is no button. You compress the shock and it will catch on the bottom and then you turn the shaft to adjust.

If it isn't any of these models, you need to go to the site Todd pointed us to and read carefully. There are some other models.

- Jtoby

 

[CanadianTSi]

OK, but back to my original question....

What setting should I put them on???

 

[Todd TCE]

Seems I'm perhaps the only one who understands these....??

And no, I don't own an Eclipse so take it as I can offer it.

First these shocks are REBOUND dampers only. They are not compression dampers. Meaning they control the rebound of the spring more than anything.

The adjuster will turn about 1.75 complete revolutions if I recall. Test this and see what it is to be sure. Compress it down all the way, rotate the upper half while holding and you'll feel it 'set' from here turn it CC til it stops then CW til it stops. How far did it go? Forgot to mark it eh? Repeat. No set them at full soft and pull the shock apart, pretty easy huh? No set it full hard and do the same. DAMN!!

Ok, now learn that nearly all shocks are referenced from 'full hard' and not full soft. This is to competsate for the shim deflection and nobody runs full soft anyhow. Ok, now crank them both full hard. From this point turn the fronts back about 20% (you do the math on how many 1/4 turns this is. Then on the rears do it about 50%. This is all call "Off Full Hard" and his what you want to remember.

Install them on the car. What's it mean? Well the fronts will come up slower than the rears. This acccunts for 'exit understeer' and the rears will come up faster to aide in turn in. Trade offs? YOU BET! Too soft in the rear and loss of brake, too stiff in the front and harder to turn in etc. etc.

It's all about weight transfer. Where and when. And NO, the best for the track is not always the best for the street. Sorry.

Good luck.