Koni Sport Adjustable shocks - with pics to come!

[djltoronto]

Koni Sport Adjustable shocks - with pics

Looks like this weekend is gonna be nice, giving me a chance to install my Koni Sport (yellows) on my 2004 Mazda3...(cabpatch)

I'll be armed with a camera too, so if anyone wants to see a pic of anything specific - just ask. (uhm)

 

[mikelebz]

pics of everything possible please. I might plan on eventually getting these to put on with my Tein S-techs. which springs will you be running?

 

[djltoronto]

pics of everything possible please. I might plan on eventually getting these to put on with my Tein S-techs. which springs will you be running?

Canuck motorsports..
I've had them in the car before - with OEM shocks..
Now I'm putting them back in, with Koni yellow shocks.


back in 2005 - http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1784246&postcount=1

 

[djltoronto]

 

[mikelebz]

Did you get those used? I will be getting some once my stock ones go. How long did it take for your stockers to go with the lowered springs?

 

[djltoronto]

Did you get those used? I will be getting some once my stock ones go. How long did it take for your stockers to go with the lowered springs?

No, they are new/unused... the rubs on the paint are typical for shocks shipped in boxes (cosmetic only) - they are made in Holland after all!

The stock shocks are fine still. I had the lowering springs in for about 1 summer, and just wasn't happy with the overall ride comming from my previous car, which had Tokico illumina 5 way adjustables. (I like to tinker)

I slapped the OEM springs back in with OEW shocks in 2006... then added some racing beat front and rear sways, and it's been like this for years..


The RB sways are AWESOME. love 'em.
If All goes well, this weekend I'll have the CM springs, + Koni shocks installed, and the RB sways are staying of course.


With the RB sways alone it handles pretty damn decent. They are stiff!

 

[joshritger]

Let me know how you like the koni yellows with the aftermarket springs, I really wanna know if it makes that much of a difference before I order new springs.

 

[djltoronto]

FYI to those who already have Koni sports installed.
here is a very good link describing how to correctly setup the rebound damping adjustment.

Only the 2nd section applies to us since bump damping is not adjustable.
http://www.koniracing.com/roadsetup.html


Also - more details on how to adjust - if you didn't already know.

1st and 3rd sections. (front /rear)
http://www.koni.com/193.html

part numbers for 2004-2009 Mazda3
8741-1487L SPORT (front)
8741-1487R SPORT (front)
8040-1350 SPORT (rear)

they are twin tube - low pressure gas shocks front and rear - http://www.koni.com/59.html
Very detailed view of internals - http://www.koni.com/fileadmin/user_upload/business_units/car/images/aundb.png

 

[djltoronto]

Done and Done...

Will upload a boat load of descriptive pics when I get a chance later tonight.

 

[djltoronto]

To start with - for anyone who has had difficulties adjusting their rear Koni sport shocks - it's probably cause you are not compressing the piston enough to engage the cam mechanism to begin adjustment.


Shown here - is the piston completely bottomed out, but not lined up properly to engage the adjustment mechanism inside.

Shown here, fully bottomed out, with the cam engaged - adjustment is possible.

The easiest way I found to adjust the rear is to jam a small wrench between 2 nuts on the piston, and use that to compress the piston and make the adjustments. - I set mine to 360 degrees backed out from full firm to begin.

Also - for the sway bar end links - I've heard of people using threadocker to ensure they don't come loose over time.

A MUCH better idea is to use a jam nut (just add a second nut). This prevents the nut from backing off, and it also protects the threads and make dis-assembly and assembly so much easier - usually don't even need to use a hex key key.

Various angles - sway bar end links - double nutted. (these are my OEM end links with 197,000 kms on them)

Before and after

 

[djltoronto]

removed.

 

[brian2029]

thinking of ordering some when i get some money.....

 

[joshritger]

I will have to give that method of adjusting the rear shocks a try, I don't have a bench top vice either so maybe that would help.

Thanks for the info, and let us know how they feel.
Josh

 

[djltoronto]

I will have to give that method of adjusting the rear shocks a try, I don't have a bench top vice either so maybe that would help.

Thanks for the info, and let us know how they feel.
Josh

Well, where to begin.

To comment on the compression damping - they feel perfectly matched the the springs I have which are 170 lbs/inch front and 160 lbs/inch rear. It's SOOOO much better with this setup than when I had just the lowering springs and the OEM shocks. Bumps are much more noticeable now, and the overall ride quality has suffered of course, but this is the sacrifice I was intending to make.

They are very firm/well controlled. I am very happy with them so far (2 days).

The rebound damping range is quite impressive. The difference from full soft to full firm is substantial (which is good). So setting them up where you want them may take a few tries, but well worth it.


I have my rears set at 1 turn (360 degree's) from full firm. I'm liking it so far, but no doubt I'll tinker with the settings in the near future.




Regarding the adjustment of the rears, I didn't have any troubles, but I think it would be really nice if Koni included some sort of adapter type deal you could just place on the shock (while removed from the car), to aid with compressing and adjusting. It could be a simple plastic cup thingy with a keyway cut into it - but my way seemed to work well too.