PDA

View Full Version : Found some Konis in my parts pile



thegreatdane
06-18-2009, 12:45 PM
Apparantly I've had these babies a couple of years now without me even knowing lol. They are front Konis and were between a bunch of useless parts I got with the old lude when I bought that a few years back. Oddly enough the last time these were installed was when they were on a blue accord that I was later to own lol. Now I'm hitting myself for not noticing if the rear shocks on that accord was konis before I sold it hehe.

Well here they are, they are quite rusty as you can tell.. But pistons look good, no leaking and they feel like they should.

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/7497/imgp2622.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3493/imgp2623.jpg

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/2492/imgp2624.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7894/imgp2626p.jpg


I think I'm going to sandblast them and give them some new paint. Then either keep them or sell them?

.

2ndGenGuy
06-18-2009, 01:04 PM
Well with how rusty the shafts are, I don't think you're ever going to get a good seal. As soon as those run down past the seals, they're going to shred. I don't know how you'd clean all that off without any scratching or gouging. Or are they fully compressed right now, and the shafts look good when you pull them out?

LX-incredible
06-18-2009, 01:23 PM
Those look pretty bad bro...

thegreatdane
06-18-2009, 01:25 PM
what do you take me for lol. yea the pistons are of course fully compressed in the pics and look absolutely fine. The top part always rusts. As i said in the first post, the pistons look good and no leaking ;)

Yea they do look pretty bad. Hopefully I will make them shine again.

Joay
06-18-2009, 02:48 PM
I'll buy them if you decide not to keep them.

2ndGenGuy
06-18-2009, 03:31 PM
oic my koni's compress completely in the body, so I assumed they were all like that. :D

A18A
06-18-2009, 04:13 PM
i love you. can i have them?

AccordEpicenter
06-18-2009, 07:07 PM
rock em. Should be fine

carotman
06-19-2009, 06:09 AM
Sweet!

Too bad you got rid of the rears.

They should be good with a sandblasting session.

Rendon LX-i
06-19-2009, 06:33 AM
sell em.

TO ME LOL...once they nice and pretty

thegreatdane
06-19-2009, 12:19 PM
I may end up selling them if they turn out decent.
A18A, no you cannot. Only in exhange of money. :D

I disassembled the struts today. Everything inside looks fine. I'll probably blast them next week and if there are no signs of rust having penetrated the shock housings after a pressure test I might get them powdercoated if the price is reasonable and they have a color that's not too far off.
When and if I put them back together again I'll put in some fresh fork oil and replace the o-ring that you see in the pics.

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/6896/imgp2649ale.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/5297/imgp2648.jpg

Tomisimo
06-19-2009, 12:41 PM
Sell them to me Marthin ;)

thegreatdane
06-19-2009, 01:00 PM
:)

2drSE-i
06-19-2009, 01:20 PM
huh i didnt know you could dissassemble them like that. I will have to do that to mine someday :-)

thegreatdane
06-22-2009, 10:57 AM
Yea and if you are able to obtain the rebuild parts from Koni you could save lots of cash if you need a rebuild or even a revalve. I dont know if they are willing to sell rebuild parts without doing the service though.

Blasted them today. I didnt detect any leaks from rust penetration so hopefully it stays that way.
I'm going to repair the brake line holder tabs on the right shock before thinking about getting them powdercoated. One is broken off completely and the other has been bent around alot and has a snapped bolt in it.

Looks much better already:

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7163/imgp2653.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/8721/imgp2650.jpg

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/471/imgp2652b.jpg

carotman
06-22-2009, 11:02 AM
There's only 1 groove for the spring perch?

thegreatdane
06-22-2009, 11:11 AM
Yea these are the model that has the welded on spring perch. I've seen several members on here with that model too. I think these are an older model and the ones with loose springs perches are the newer models.
But as far as I recall only the rear konis have an adjustable/moveable spring perch?? I dont remember the fronts on my sedan having more than one groove.

MessyHonda
06-22-2009, 07:34 PM
Yea these are the model that has the welded on spring perch. I've seen several members on here with that model too. I think these are an older model and the ones with loose springs perches are the newer models.
But as far as I recall only the rear konis have an adjustable/moveable spring perch?? I dont remember the fronts on my sedan having more than one groove.

yeah i have the welded ones also and on my coupe the i have ones with the spring perch...they must of had a just basic model

b20a86lude
07-25-2009, 03:55 PM
WOW THOSE BEAUTIFUL AFTER U Blast them. also word of advice if u hVNT YET BLAST THE PISTON ROD WITH GLASS ITS MUCH SMOOTHER. AND WONT DAMGAE IT BUT THE SAND WILL

markmdz89hatch
07-29-2009, 07:57 AM
how in the holy hell did you get that top cap off? I thought Koni had welded them on.

2drSE-i
07-29-2009, 12:07 PM
I think what they were saying is that the old version of the konis werent welded on. I could be wrong though.

markmdz89hatch
07-29-2009, 12:23 PM
I think what they were saying is that the old version of the konis werent welded on. I could be wrong though.

no no, that welded/not-welded talk was about the spring perch so far. not the cap.

2drSE-i
07-29-2009, 12:42 PM
Oooh ok. Told ya i might be wrong. Btw, the parts for sale link in your sig doesnt work.

thegreatdane
07-30-2009, 12:58 PM
WOW THOSE BEAUTIFUL AFTER U Blast them. also word of advice if u hVNT YET BLAST THE PISTON ROD WITH GLASS ITS MUCH SMOOTHER. AND WONT DAMGAE IT BUT THE SAND WILL

Hey thanks, the piston rod is fine though so only the threaded part of the rod is getting blasted.


how in the holy hell did you get that top cap off? I thought Koni had welded them on.

The top cap is a threaded piece that screws into the strut housing. But it's in there real tight.
I used an angle grinder tool, you know the funny wrench sort of thing you use to change the grinding disc.




Since last time I've repaired the strut housings with new brake line brackets and the rusted area you see in the first picture has also been repaired.
All they need now is paint.

markmdz89hatch
07-30-2009, 01:11 PM
pics Marthin, pics

I'm loving this project.

Have you looked into getting new shim stacks from Koni?

thegreatdane
07-30-2009, 01:22 PM
alright alright lol. Shim stacks, what are they? I plan on dropping the guts back in without touching anything except replacing the o-ring and oil.

MessyHonda
07-30-2009, 01:49 PM
this thread makes me want to take out my spare konis...but they want too much to rebuild...like 115usd each

mushroom_toy
07-30-2009, 06:50 PM
If you were down this way I could powdercoat em for ya lol.

thegreatdane
07-31-2009, 12:12 PM
well thanks anyway lol.

Here's the repaired housings:

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/5181/imgp2976.jpg

This is a picture of the same area thats in the first picture in this thread:

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/6270/imgp2977.jpg

markmdz89hatch
07-31-2009, 12:30 PM
I repeat, very cool project here. What's all that bluing on under the spring perch?

thegreatdane
07-31-2009, 12:38 PM
thanks! I had to stress relieve the strut after welding the rust attacked area so I had the strut glowing red hot thats why it's turned blue.

markmdz89hatch
07-31-2009, 12:44 PM
great write up on internal workings of a shock.

This link specifically shows the function of the shim stack, which is located to the top and bottom of the piston.

http://www.off-roadweb.com/tech/0906or_off_road_race_shocks_explained/photo_02.html

Now I'm off to go figure out where I can get shims, and might just try my hand at rebuilding my Koni's on my own. ....or for that matter, any of my spare shocks.

b20a86lude
08-03-2009, 01:58 PM
mAN Y DIDNT U TAKE A PIC OF THAT GLOWING RED HOTT THAT WOULD OF BEEN AWSOME PIC

MessyHonda
08-09-2009, 04:20 PM
ok so today i went to go take out my konis....so i could rebuild them? what oil do i use?

thegreatdane
08-13-2009, 01:17 AM
Use fork oil.
If you can get the parts from Koni that you wish to replace, then you'll be able to rebuild them.

Tdurr
08-13-2009, 06:32 PM
i love/hate you.

frantik
08-13-2009, 07:42 PM
this thread makes me want to take out my spare konis...but they want too much to rebuild...like 115usd each
:violin:

epic1400cs
08-16-2009, 12:20 AM
Use fork oil.
If you can get the parts from Koni that you wish to replace, then you'll be able to rebuild them.
Yeah, once I used engine oil for shocks and it went spongy after 500miles:nuts:
The parts supply from KONI seems to be the key doesn't it. You made me want to OH my KONI myself! Let us know if you manage to get parts from them.

About the perch, mine has removable hat for both front and rear. The rear has 25mm high second groove for towing but front has one. As I wanted to raise the front to use OEM Aredam, I asked machine shop to make extra groove for the front KONI and it worked pretty well. The picture is without extra groove on the front.

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/3136/1861/7838430217_large.jpg

Great project!

Nafs Asdf
01-05-2010, 12:14 AM
So what happened to these?

I recently found some rear konis I might buy, so I would be pretty interested in these if you want to sell them.

frantik
01-05-2010, 05:23 AM
rear konis!!!

Nafs Asdf
01-05-2010, 06:12 AM
rear konis!!!

Yup, they're brand new too.:D
Called the guy who had them today, gonna call him again tonight and work out the details. He wants 150€+shipping (~250usd), figured that's an ok price.

Just need to find something for the front to put my lowering springs on and I might finally get around to dropping the car a bit in the summer.

hammer3rd
01-05-2010, 09:11 AM
Hey guys. I am new but I have to ask. Are the Koni reds really thet good. I am thinking about revalved bills and H&R springs. But if the Konis are really thet much better I might try to find a set.

Joay
01-05-2010, 09:56 AM
They're adjustable, which is pretty cool, but they're really difficult to find and you would more than likely want to rebuild them anyway since they've been out of production so long. Revalved Bilsteins will be a headache, but not as much. And they're just fine, only seen one car use them in person but they were strong as hell. For the price of rebuilding struts IMO you should at least consider coilovers (http://www.ksportusa.com/asp/coilovers_detail.asp?product_id=cd01).

frantik
01-05-2010, 12:09 PM
But if the Konis are really thet much better I might try to find a set.

they are virtually impossible to find

they are adjustable... but to adjust them you have remove them from the car and take the shocks of them, etc :( to get them changed to externally adjustable is super expensive, so if you want the pimp suspension, look into full bodied coil overs k2, etc

thegreatdane
01-06-2010, 12:07 PM
So what happened to these?

I recently found some rear konis I might buy, so I would be pretty interested in these if you want to sell them.

Nice find! I haven't had them powdercoated yet unfortunately. Maybe you should sell the rear ones to me instead :D

nswst8
01-06-2010, 12:38 PM
So what happened to these?

I recently found some rear konis I might buy, so I would be pretty interested in these if you want to sell them.

Might buy, give me the info and I'd buy them now!

Nafs Asdf
01-06-2010, 11:39 PM
Nice find! I haven't had them powdercoated yet unfortunately. Maybe you should sell the rear ones to me instead :D

I'll sell them for... one million dollars! *moves pinky finger to mouth* bwahahaha.

But would you be willing to sell the fronts to me when you get them done, and what kind of price would we be talking about if that were the case?


Might buy, give me the info and I'd buy them now!

Hehe, well I went from 'might buy' to 'am buying', should have them maybe next week some time.

MessyHonda
01-09-2010, 12:33 PM
good job...i love my konis on my coupe....best shock....and the 3gee and handle good with good lowering springs and swaybars

2drSE-i
01-09-2010, 03:49 PM
good job...i love my konis on my coupe....best shock....and the 3gee and handle good with good lowering springs and swaybars

had to quote for truth. these cars handle like fucking go karts with fat sway bars and proper spring/strut combination.

thegreatdane
01-09-2010, 04:00 PM
I'll sell them for... one million dollars! *moves pinky finger to mouth* bwahahaha.

But would you be willing to sell the fronts to me when you get them done, and what kind of price would we be talking about if that were the case?

I cant say for sure if I'll sell or keep them. And the price would depend on how well they turn out and the price of powdercoating.
Thing is I don't know when I will get around to get them coated and until then theres no point in selling them.

thegreatdane
01-09-2010, 04:08 PM
had to quote for truth. these cars handle like fucking go karts with fat sway bars and proper spring/strut combination.

yea I doubt any shock setup for the 3g beats the konis perfect compromise between comfortable daily driving and more sportier driving abilities.

Nafs Asdf
01-10-2010, 02:22 AM
I cant say for sure if I'll sell or keep them. And the price would depend on how well they turn out and the price of powdercoating.
Thing is I don't know when I will get around to get them coated and until then theres no point in selling them.

ok, makes sense. Let me know if you end up wanting to sell them. :)

thegreatdane
01-10-2010, 04:08 AM
Will do.

hammer3rd
01-11-2010, 10:57 PM
Ok I get it. Koni reds are best. But are the bill really bad. I am new to thr import world but have had good luck with them on other applications. And all the coil overs I have used have been too stiff for daily driving. And thanks for all the input. I only want to builg this thing one time.

thegreatdane
05-12-2010, 10:34 AM
Now with powdercoat and new stickers.

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/501/imgp3143.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/6584/imgp3151.jpg

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/1328/imgp3150.jpg

itzdave
05-12-2010, 11:23 AM
sex1!1!

2drSE-i
05-12-2010, 11:24 AM
mmmmm konis

A18A
05-12-2010, 03:31 PM
those would look good in my car!

Nafs Asdf
05-12-2010, 11:42 PM
mmm, sell them to me, now! :D

carotman
05-13-2010, 04:28 AM
Oh, they look new!

The powdercoat is probably a lot stronger than the OEM paint they put on it. You might have to sand it a bit so it fits in the strut fork but it's the least of your worries!

frantik
05-13-2010, 11:28 PM
had to quote for truth. these cars handle like fucking go karts with fat sway bars and proper spring/strut combination.

amen :rockon: i love being able to jerk the wheel and change lanes hella fast with no body roll or loss of control..

AccordB20A
05-14-2010, 02:04 AM
wish i had a car that had konis :P