Technical Koni damper experiment thread

[babbo_umbro]

Babbo_umbro and everyone else, has the problem with the droplinks and Koni sports been resolved?

Is the only option the custom made droplinks pictured previously or is there a supplier of pre-2009 style droplinks?

Thanks!

It was the lack of precise information on this topic that made me delay putting Koni adjustables on the front of my 100HP, though I was very pleased with them on the back. In the event I swapped the 100HP for a new 4x4 TA just over a year ago. Good luck with the mod.

 

[Raceface78]

Did anyone else notice when fitting rear koni's that the top bush eyelet is too big? I'm concerned that sudden compressions will cause movement and damage something...

 

[barteke]

Indeed the top bush eyelet is too big, i have my koni schocks on my car for 2 years now (50.000 km) but no problem with this so far.

 

[Raceface78]

Did you try to centre the bolt when you fitted?
I'm thinking about making some reducer sleeves just to keep everything centred...

Thanks

 

[The Pretender]

Did anyone else notice when fitting rear koni's that the top bush eyelet is too big? I'm concerned that sudden compressions will cause movement and damage something...

Yes, same with my Koni sport's.
The bolt is 10mm and the shock eyelet is 12mm.
I put in a piece copper water pipe 12mm, fit like a glove.
It is 12mm on the outside and 10mm on the inside, the wall is 1mm.

 

[Raceface78]

Exactly what I was thinking, going to buy a length of 12mm steel tube with a 1mm wall and make a couple of reducer sleeves, cheers for the reply!

 

[Daveb100hp]

sorry for the thread revival but i didnt want to start another thread about thet konis. theres enough already

so these konis..... ive found a set that come with H & R springs and a set that dont come with any springs at all, has anyone tried them with the H & R springs, do they make any difference? am i best of keeping the standard springs and just upgrading the shocks?

 

[Rooflessdriver]

Fitted the rear koni's this afternoon and initial impressions are positive.
Set them at 0.75 turns and the pogo'ing has gone and knocking noise too.
Big thanks to rturner for his blog page, made the job a piece of cake!

Has anyone else had their Koni's reset themselves?
Over the last month I have noticed the rear has gone really hard and thumping around.

Just taken them off and they were both wound back to the lock.
Readjusted them to half a turn and car feels ok again.
Very odd.

 

[fpan]

Has anyone else had their Koni's reset themselves?
Over the last month I have noticed the rear has gone really hard and thumping around.

Just taken them off and they were both wound back to the lock.
Readjusted them to half a turn and car feels ok again.
Very odd.

That's strange indeed.
I've done around 10k miles miles since fitting them and they have been fine.

 

[Gavv8]

That's strange indeed.
I've done around 10k miles miles since fitting them and they have been fine.

Never had this happen either.

 

[Cam]

Just to add to the forum knowledge!!

I fitted the STR.T shocks to the back of my 2009 100HP this week - absolute night and day. For 40 quid a shock you can't go wrong. From what I read and hear, the STR.Ts are around a 3 on the 1-10 scale (10 being stiffest) of the KONI SPORT (yellow) shock adjustment range (can anyone confirm?), and as this seems to be where most people have the SPORTS set (if on the rear of the car), I can't see why you'd spend the extra on a car as simple and rough as a Panda!!

People have written they make the ride firmer but less pogo-ing - I disagree. They just make the ride better. If you want to know how it feels, put a couple of average people in the back on standard shocks and go for a drive! The extra composure at speed is massive - so, SO much better. And at low to mid speed, it just feels like the suspension is working properly! Bumps, potholes, bad surfaces are all taken care of much more efficiently. It feels like a car should.

What I can't say is whether it really makes a difference to the way the car handles. You can go faster and enjoy the speed more for sure, but only because the car stays in control of its movements for longer. In corners, at speed, I don't think it really makes the car feel any different. You just have a car that rides better, and as a result becomes more enjoyable, but don't expect the massive changes in "handling" (whatever people mean by that) some people suggest.

I definitely notice the front feels less "expensive" in comparison now though. The front and back and much more in tune with each other, but the ride at the front is noticeably rougher. Less tight is how I'd describe it. I think if I were to change the front shocks I'd spend a bit more and go for the SPORTS, just so I could get that extra range of adjustment...

Anyway, just my experiences!

C